Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
Swedish Modernist Lidded Box in Patinated Bronze from GAB, 1930s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Sweet patinated bronze box from GAB, in a square form with smooth rounded corners. Lid adorned with a beautiful stylized rose hip berry. Model #78 GAB was founded in Stockholm in 1...
Bronze
Small Fluted Tinos Bronze Bowl, Art Deco, Denmark, 1930s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Tinos, Evan Jensen, Just Andersen, Sune Bäckström
Located in Malmö, SE
A stunning, fluted Art Deco dish / bowl with amazing patina. Made in solid bronze by Tinos in Denmark, 1930s. Good original condition. Some scratches and scuffs.
Bronze
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Viking Ship by Ahrneberg Sweden, 1960s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Viking Ship by Ahrneberg Sweden, 1960s.
Steel
Stoneware Miniature Bowl by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Berndt Friberg, Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful miniature stoneware bowl with amazing glossy glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. Great condition. Incise...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Stig Lindberg / CHESS PIECE "QUEEN" / Gustavsberg
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
Queen chess piece designed by Stig Lindberg. Since his assistant, Dan Grip, was a chess player, he began developing chess pieces in the early 1960s, and in 1973, they were produced ...
Porcelain
Swedish Art Nouveau Pewter Compote Bowl by Edvin Ollers, 1907
By Edvin Ollers
Located in Stockholm, SE
An exceptional and rare Swedish pewter compote bowl made by Edvin Ollers in 1907, a celebrated figure in early 20th-century Scandinavian design. This sculptural centerpiece exemplifi...
Pewter
$454Sale Price|20% Off
Turned Curly Birch Lidded Bowl, Finland, 1970s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A finely turned lidded bowl in solid curly birch, made in Finland during the 1970s. The sculptural form combines smooth, flowing lines with the intricate natural pattern of visakoivu...
Birch
Art Deco Bronze Bowl by Gunnar Nylund, Sweden, 1940s
By Just Andersen, Akta Brons, Sune Bäckström, GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful art deco bronze bowl with amazing patina. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Äkta Brons, Sweden, 1940s. Excellent condition. Initials 'G.N.' on the front. Stamped 'ÄKTA BRON...
Bronze
Axel Salto for Royal Copenhagen. Stoneware bowl with biomorphic form. Mid-20th C
By Axel Salto
Located in København, Copenhagen
Axel Salto for Royal Copenhagen Sculptural bowl, mid-20th century. Organically and freely shaped stoneware bowl with a pronounced asymmetrical, biomorphic form, characteristic of Axe...
Stoneware
Decorative Mosaic Tile Centerpiece Bowl, Danish, 1970's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Decorative Mosaic Tile Centerpiece Bowl or Dish marked on bottom: "Made in Denmark" "in nice vintage as found condition" "would also look great hanging on a wall"
Pottery
Paul Kedelv (1917-90) Flygsfors Glass "Coquille" Swedish Art Glass Vase, c.1958
By Flygfors Glass, Flygsfors, Paul Kedelv
Located in Skien, NO
Stunning Scandinavian / Swedish mid-century modern design red and white art glass vase "Coquille" by glass art pioneer Paul Kedelv (Sweden 1917-90) for Flygsfors Glass. Handcrafted...
Art Glass
Mid Century Danish Sculptural Teak Bowl, Handcrafted in 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful patinated bowl in teak. Handcrafted in 1960s Suits the modern interior.
Teak
Swedish modern Pewter Bowl by Edvin Ollers for Schreuder & Olsson, 1975
By Edvin Ollers, Schreuder & Olsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
An elegant Swedish pewter bowl designed by Edvin Ollers and produced by the renowned Stockholm workshop Schreuder & Olsson in 1975. The bowl features a softly rounded, shallow form ...
Pewter
Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors “Platina” Sculptural Art Glass Bowl, Sweden 1950's
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural and substantial crystal bowl designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors in the 1950s, from the celebrated Platina series. The form is a softly rounded square with a deep...
Art Glass
Crystal glass bowl by Mona Morales-Schildt
By Kosta Glasbruk 1, Mona Morales-Schildt
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Crystal glass bowl by Mona Morales-Schildt, in heavy quality and a striking, poisonous green color. Dramatic design with a play of light in the thick glass.
Glass
A Green stoneware bowl - Berndt Friberg - Gustavsberg 1963 - Scandinavian Design
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely bowl designed by Berndt Friberg at Gustavsberg in Stockholm, the bowl is 5.5 cm tall and about 10.5 cm in diameter. It is in excellent condition and is marked as on picture ...
Ceramic
$194Sale Price|58% Off
Danish Modernist Holmegaard Tundra Art Glass Bowl, 1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mouthblown Danish Modern clear crystal art glass bowl with wavy, organic umber accent lines as added by paint brush inside the glass. Designed by Michael Bang in 1976-78 for Danish H...
Crystal
Solid brass bowl featuring a beautifully textured surface and polished interior.
Located in Hammarö, SE
A beautifully sculptural Swedish brass bowl distinguished by its restrained elegance and refined proportions. The softly curved profile is complemented by a broad, organically shaped...
Brass
Round, Blue Serving Dish with stars - Upsala Ekeby - Sven Erik Skawonius
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely ceramic dish designed by Sven-Erik Skawonius at Upsala Ekeby. The dish is 32,5 cm (13") in diameter and in excellent condition.
Ceramic
Danish Modern Rare Enamel on Copper Low Bowl by Arne Tjomsland
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare enamel on copper by Arne Tjomsland, its unusual because he is well-known for his wood carved bear sculptures but not his enamels, nice patina a small bent around the edge...
Copper, Enamel
Blue Bowl by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware bowl with blue glaze. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden. In production 1958-1962. Great condition, only a few light scratches. Impressed wit...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Vintage Hand-Painted Norwegian Rosemaling Tray Scandinavian Folk Art 1978
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The beautiful vintage wooden decorative tray features hand-painted traditional Norwegian Rosemaling Style decor. Rosemaling is a folk-art paint...
Wood
Scandinavian Modern Sculptural Red Metal Bowl, Centerpiece Made in Sweden 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Scandinavian modern sculptural red metal bowl, made in Sweden in the 1980s. This bowl is made out of one piece of metal stunning craftsmanship. The sculptural bowl serves as an artis...
Metal
Lidded Faience Egg by Hans Hedberg, Scandinavian Modern Stoneware
By Hans Hedberg
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely lidded egg faience sculpture by Hans Hedberg, made in his own studio in Biot, France. Speckled and mottled glaze in warm light brown and olive greens, inside with beautiful mu...
Stoneware
Set of Ten Norwegian Modern Enamel Multi-Color Bowls by Bjørn Engø for Emalox
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern enamel bowls along with a butter pat/small coaster designed by Bjørn Engø for Emalox (Norway, ca. 1960s). Vibrant assortment of colors and sizes - orange, cobalt, ...
Aluminum, Enamel
Large laminated rosewood tray by Torsten Johansson for Formträ, 1950s
By AB Formträ, Torsten Johansson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Large tray designed by Torsten Johansson. Made by Formträ AB in Sweden during the 1950s. Made from laminated rosewood. very good vintage condition with light age related wear and pat...
Bentwood
Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Emerald Green Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl, Sweden 1950
By Vicke Lindstrand, Kosta Vicki Linstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
This elegant elongated oval form showcases Lindstrand’s mastery of controlled color and glassmaking technique. The richly saturated emerald green interior appears to float within a c...
Art Glass
Red Stoneware Miniature Bowl by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Gustavsberg, Berndt Friberg, Wilhelm Kage, Stig Lindberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful miniature stoneware bowl with amazing glossy sang de boeuf (oxblood) glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Scandinavian pinewood bowl by Stig Johnsson for Smålandsslöjd, Sweden, 1970s
By Stig Johnsson, Smålandsslöjd
Located in Forserum, SE
A large organically shaped pinewood bowl designed and produced by Stig Johnsson for Smålandsslöjd in the 1970s. Turned from a piece of edge glued Swedish pinewood. Hallmarked “Smålandsslöjd Stig...
Pine
Midcentury unique stoneware bowl by Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Large and unique stoneware bowl designed by Stig Lindberg and produced in Gustavsberg studios in the 1960s. Graphic pattern with a beautiful turquoise matt glaze. Marked with sig...
Stoneware
Stig Lindberg 1950s Stoneware Dish, Gustavsberg Studio, Black/Brown
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful platter designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsbergs Studio in Stockholm, it is 30.5 cm (12.2") in diameter. It has a black/brown color an...
Stoneware
Green Ceramic Bowl Stunning Glaze Carl-Harry Stålhane Rörstrand -
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green bowl with a stunning glaze designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane at Rörstrand, the bowl is 19.5 x 17 cm (7.8" x 6.8") in diameter and 5 cm (2") tall. It is in excellent condition, ...
Ceramic
Rörstrand. Decorative bowl with organic form. Rialto series, 1960s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Rörstrand “Rialto” Decorative bowl, 1960s. Sculptural and organically shaped bowl from the Rialto series, featuring a characteristic relief pattern an...
Stoneware
Finnish Mid Century Decorative Birch Wooden Dish Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and iconic Finnish mid century decorative sculptural dish bowl in carved laminated birch wood designed and produced by Tapio Wirkkala, 1950s. In good original condition ...
Birch
Group of 15 decorative ceramic bowls, Rörstrand Mid-century Modern
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely group of fifteen bowls with stunning glazes designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane & Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand in the 1950s. The largest bowl is 17 x 11 cm in diameter and the sma...
Porcelain
Blue Stoneware Miniature Bowl by Berndt Friberg. Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s
By Berndt Friberg, Wilhelm Kage, Gustavsberg, Stig Lindberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful miniature stoneware bowl with amazing blue hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1960s. Great condition...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Art Deco Patinated Bronze Bowl by Jacob Ängman for GAB Sweden, 1930s
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural bronze bowl with elegant handles designed and produced in the 1930s by GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget), among Sweden’s most esteemed metalware manufacturers. The design refl...
Bronze
Set of 2 Porcelain Crown Window Bowls by Gunnar Nylund. Rorstrand, Sweden, 1933.
By Rörstrand, Gunnar Nylund, rorstrand studio
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of two beautiful porcelain crown window bowls with a hand-painted gold band on the foot. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1933. Excellent condition. First so...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$361Sale Price|61% Off
Handcrafted Holmegaard Art Glass Vase, Sea Blue and Milky White
By Holmegaard
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handcrafted mouthblown large round 80s modernist art glass vase by Holmegaard. Dramatic, organic sea blue wavy shapes on milky white base. Excellent, seemingly unused condition. De...
Art Glass, Glass
Large Axella Stentoj Ceramic Centerpiece Bowl, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Balen, BE
Axella Ceramic Centerpiece Bowl, Model 2705 A large and elegant mid-century ceramic centerpiece bowl by Axella, model 2705, known for its clean modernist form and warm, organic gla...
Ceramic
Mid Century Large Bowl in Ceramic by Conny Walther, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful large stoneware bowl by Danish artist Conny Walther. Made in 1970s. Great colour plate in this glaze. Other mentionable ceramic artists fro...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Exceptional Norwegian Burl Birch Bowl, ca 1780–1830
Located in Farsta, SE
Large Exceptional Norwegian Burl Birch Bowl, ca 1780–1830 It’s hard to do this magnificent bowl justice through photos alone. The beautiful fire burl birch pattern and silky-smooth...
Birch, Burl
$304Sale Price|20% Off
Nuutajärvi Arktis Bowl Large by Björn Weckström, Scandinavian Modern Art Glass
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Bjorn Weckstrom
Located in Chicago, IL
Handsome large clear glass square catchall. Manufactured in by Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, the oldest glass manufacturer in Finland; designed by Bjorn Weckstrom in the 1970s. From the Arktis ...
Glass
Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby. Stoneware bowl with stylised figurative motif.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Anna-Lisa Thomson for Upsala Ekeby Bowl (model 1034), 1960s. Low stoneware bowl with a characteristic textured surface and softly organic lines typical of 1960s design. Origin: Swed...
Stoneware
Vicke Lindstrand Hand-Chiseled Art Glass Bowl, Denmark, 1960
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vicke Lindstrom hand-chiseled Art glass bowl. Has the look of a piece of ice that has been Chiseled and formed. Beautiful simple Bowl signed on bottom ...
Art Glass
Large Blue Swedish Decorative Mid Century Ceramic Dish by Stig Lindberg, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare, unique and oversized Swedish mid century stoneware bowl with handles in a decorative and characteristic blue brown glaze with an impressed decor designed by Stig Lindberg for...
Stoneware
Mid-Century Swedish Modern Art Glass Dish Bowl by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and fantastic art glass bowl by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda c1965. Eight inches in diameter by 5 tall cobalt blue with numerous abstract decorations. Beautiful abstract ch...
Art Glass
Stunning Green Bowl - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand - Mid 20th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A green bowl with a stunning glaze below, it is designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand, the bowl is 6.5 cm (2.6") tall and 21.5 cm (8.6") in diameter. It´s in excellent condition, ma...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala "Inari" Glass Bowl from Littala Glass Factory
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Modern Tapio Wirkkala "Inari" Glass Bowl, Iittala Glass Factory, Finland. Signed by the designer with model number. An exceptional, sculptural, footed bowl designed by Ta...
Glass
Finel Arabia Tatti Mushroom Bowl Enamelware Kaj Franck Esteri Tomula
By Kaj Franck, Esteri Tomula, Finel, Arabia
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Finel Arabia Tatti mushroom bowl, a collectible enamelware piece designed by Kaj Franck in the 1960s with decorations b...
Enamel
Carl-Harry Stålhane SHX Stoneware Bowl, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
An exceptional stoneware bowl by Carl-Harry Stålhane, one of Sweden’s most celebrated mid-century ceramic artists. Crafted in the 1950s for the prestigious Rörstrand studio, this pie...
Stoneware
Six Scandinavian Modern Bowls in Red and Blue, Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg, Arabia
By Arabia of Finland, Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare six Scandinavian Modern small unique bowls in beautiful ox-blood and blue glaze by Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg for Arabia. Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg, 1905-1993, was a Finnish ce...
Ceramic
Glass “Devil’s Cradle” Bowl by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful “Devil’s Cradle” bowl by Timo Sarpaneva, made in thick glass quality in an organic, rounded form. Two holes close to the edge. Frosted surface.
Glass
Erik Höglund for Boda – Set of Three Relief Glass Trays, Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
Set of three rectangular art glass trays designed by Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk, Sweden, 1960s. Beautiful colour palette in cobalt blue, petrol blue and deep forest green. Each t...
Art Glass
Saxbo, Denmark. Ceramic bowl with brown glaze. Approx. 1940s.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Saxbo, Denmark. Ceramic bowl with brown glaze. Approximately 1940s. Ying Yang mark. Perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: D 24.0 cm x H 4.0 cm.
Ceramic
Large Art Deco Tinos Bronze Bowl, Denmark, 1930s
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Tinos, Evan Jensen, Just Andersen, Sune Bäckström
Located in Malmö, SE
A stunning large art deco bronze bowl with amazing patina. Made by Tinos in Denmark, 1930s. Great condition, only a few light scratches. Stamped 'TINOS', 'BRONCE' and 'MADE IN DENM...
Bronze
Michael Andersen. Stoneware bowl with mermaid and fish motif, 1960s/70s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Michael Andersen, Bornholm Decorative bowl with a mermaid and fish motif, 1960s/70s. Round stoneware bowl with relief-decorated center featuring a stylised fish and organic wave form...
Stoneware
Finel Arabia Tatti Mushroom Bowl Enamelware Kaj Franck Esteri Tomula 3
By Kaj Franck, Arabia of Finland, Esteri Tomula
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Finel Arabia Tatti mushroom bowl, a collectible enamelware piece designed by Kaj Franck in the 1960s with decorations b...
Enamel, Steel
Pair of Alvar Aalto Steel Bowl's by Iittala Finland
By Alvar Aalto, Iittala
Located in Turku, Finland
Set of two Aalto Steel Bowls. Designed by Alvar Aalto and manufactured by Iittala Finland. Finnish design legend Alvar Aalto’s asymmetrical natural wave shape has become his creati...
Stainless Steel
Arabia Finland Finel Enamel Bowl Blue Clover Siniapila Kaj Franck
By Finel, Arabia of Finland, Kaj Franck
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Arabia Finland Finel enamel bowl featuring the "Blue Clover" (Siniapila) pattern, designed by Kaj Franck in the 196...
Steel, Enamel