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.
A pair of Brass Candlesticks - "Pendel" Pierre Forsell - Skultuna
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of wall hanging candlesticks by Pierre Forsell, designed and produced at Skultuna in 1980-1990s, this serie is called "Pendel/Pendelum". These candlesticks is 47 cm tall and i...
Brass
Pair of Scandinavian Brass Figural Wall Candle Holders Sconces, 1970s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Decorative Scandinavian brass wall candle holders with stylized male and female folk figures, Denmark, 1970s. Decorative pair of Scandinavian wall-mounted candle holders from the 19...
Brass
Wall Candleholders by Pierre Forssell, Skultuna, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Pierre Forsell designed brass pendel wall appliques. Rarer version with bobeche. Made by Skultuna, Sweden, circa 1965. In beautiful original patinated ...
Brass
$821Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Søholm Wall Candle Sconces by Backhausen & Brandborg, 1970s
By Poul Brandborg, Soholm Pottery, Noomi Backhausen
Located in Karis, Nyland
Pair of ceramic wall-mounted candle sconces designed by Noomi Backhausen and Poul Brandborg for Søholm Stentøj as part of the Erika series, Denmark, early 1970s. Handcrafted in glaze...
Stoneware
$316Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Skultana Wall Sconce Designed By Pierre Forsell
Located in Doraville, GA
Vintage solid brass wall sconce for candles designed by Pierre Forsell for the Swedish firm Skultana in the 1950’s. The sconce has its o...
Brass
Hans-Ange Jakobsson Brass Two Stick Sconce, Made In Sweden
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, AB Markaryd
Located in Doraville, GA
DESCRIPTION A two candle sconce designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, produced by his own company, Hans-Agne Jakobsson AB sometime between 1960 - 1970. The sconce is solid brass and has ...
Brass
Swedish Modern Brass & Sculpted Wood Wall Sconces by Gösta Ahrneberg, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautifully sculpted pair of mid-century Swedish wall sconces designed by Gösta Ahrneberg in the 1950s. These elegant pieces combine black lacquered solid wood with curved brass ca...
Brass
Danish Designer, Candle Sconces, Brass, Denmark, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass candle sconces likely designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1930s. Moderate patina on brass consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 7.25"H x 11.25"...
Brass
Pair of Swedish Grace Candle Wall Scone
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish Grace Candle Wall Scones in Brass ascribed to Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik, Sweden, circa 1920s. An outer frame in patinated brass with flower and organic shapes frames...
Brass
Pair of Mid Century Ceramic Mosaic Wall Candle Sconces by Konrad Galaaen 1960s
By Porsgrund Porselænsfabrik, Konrad Galaaen
Located in Troy, MI
Scandinavian wall hanging sconce set by Konrad Galaaen for Porsgrund Porselænsfabrik Norway circa 1960s Mosaic tile candle holder sconces in rich glazes of blue, turquoise, green, a...
Steel
Pair of Swedish Hand-Hammered Copper and Brass Candle Sconces, 1930s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Bring a touch of rustic Scandinavian charm to your space with this expressive pair of wall-mounted candle sconces from 1930s Sweden. Crafted from hand-hammered copper with a striking...
Brass, Copper
Group of 10 Swedish Brass Candle Sconces by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Group of ten wall mounted “Pendulum” candlesticks designed by Pierre Forssell. Manufactured in Sweden by Skultuna during the 1960s. Solid polished brass. All signed, engraved.
Brass
Swedish Intarsia Wall Sconce by Birger Ekman for Mjölby Intarsia, 1940s
By Birger Ekman, Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Göteborg, SE
A charming and masterfully crafted Swedish intarsia wall sconce designed by Birger Ekman for Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, circa 1940s. This rare decorative wall piece features a delicate...
Brass
Pair of Sculptural Danish Candle Sconces from Dantoft Kunstartikler, 1970s
Located in Balen, BE
Striking pair of Danish wall-mounted candle sconces produced by Dantoft Kunstartikler in the 1970s. Each sconce is crafted from hand-forged steel with an expressive, sculptural form ...
Metal
Pair of Intarsia Wall Sconces, Birger Ekman for Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden
By Birger Ekman, Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Göteborg, SE
A remarkable pair of Scandinavian Modern wall sconces designed by Swedish decorative‑artist Birger Ekman for Mjölby Intarsia in the 1940s. Each sconce features an elegant inlaid wood...
Brass
Pair of Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Candleholders by GAB, 1961
Located in Stockholm, SE
A refined pair of Swedish Mid-Century Modern sterling silver candleholders produced by GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) in 1961. These sculptural forms feature a distinctive flared, conic...
Sterling Silver
Scandinavian Modern Ceramic Candle Sconce by Ove Mahler, 1990s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Decorative wall-mounted Scandinavian Modern ceramic candle holder designed and hand-painted in light and dark blue colors by Ove Mahler Keramik. Manufactured on the Danish island of ...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Intarsia Candle Sconces made by Mjölby Intarsia, 1940s, Sweden
By Mjölby Intarsia, Birger Ekman
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Exquisite Intarsia Candle Sconces made by Mjölby Intarsia, circa 1940s. * Set (2) of intarsia candle sconces depicting a girl and a boy. Brass sides with candle arms. * Manu...
Brass
$560Sale Price|25% Off
Ceramic wall mounted candle sconce by Jette Hellerøe, Denmark, 1973
Located in Balen, BE
This rare ceramic wall-mounted candle sconce, handmade by renowned Danish ceramist Jette Hellerøe in 1973, is a great example of mid-century Scandinavian craftsmanship. The sconce is...
Ceramic
Pierre Forsell, Skultuna. Wall candle holder in brass with pendulum suspension
Located in København, Copenhagen
Pierre Forsell for Skultuna, wall hanging pendulum candle holder. Minimalist candle holder in brass with pendulum suspension and geometric design. The model measures 49 cm and comes ...
Brass
Pierre Forsell, Skultuna. Wall candle holder in brass with pendulum suspension
Located in København, Copenhagen
Pierre Forsell for Skultuna, wall hanging pendulum candle holder. Minimalist candle holder in brass with pendulum suspension and geometric design. The model measures 49 cm and comes ...
Brass
Swedish Modern Wall Hung Candlesticks - Sconces in Brass, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish trio of elongated candleholders for wall mount. Made in Sweden circa 1950-60 in style reminiscent of Hans Agne Jakobsson. They are hung by spacers giving them this free, un...
Brass
Pair of Scandinavian Modern Pewter Candlesticks by Edvin Ollers - 1970's
By Schreuder & Olsson, Edvin Ollers
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Scandinavian modern pewter candlesticks designed by Edvin Ollers and produced by Schreuder & Olsson, Sweden. Both candlesticks are fully stamped to the underside, includin...
Pewter
Set of Four Brass Wall Candle Holders Mod. 607 by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna
Located in New York, NY
Set of four lancet-shaped wall-mounted candle holders in brass, combining a minimalist yet refined design language. Designed by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna in the 1970s. Stamped on ...
Brass
Bronze Candle Scones - Swedish, Art Deco
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful pair of Swedish candle scones in light bronze. Great condition & patina! Contact us for any questions.
Bronze
Set of 3 Glass Candle Holders by Lindshammar, Sweden 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of 3 glass candle holders, one clear crystal glass, one smoke colored, one bottle-green. Made by Lindshammar Glasbruk, Sweden 1950s.
Art Glass
Pierre Forsell, Skultuna. Wall candle holder in brass with pendulum suspension
Located in København, Copenhagen
Pierre Forsell for Skultuna, wall hanging pendulum candle holder. Minimalist candle holder in brass with pendulum suspension and geometric design. The model measures 49 cm and comes ...
Brass
Pierre Forsell, Skultuna. Wall candle holder in brass with pendulum suspension
Located in København, Copenhagen
Pierre Forsell for Skultuna, wall hanging pendulum candle holder. Minimalist brass candle holder with pendulum suspension and geometric design. The model measures 49 cm and comes wit...
Brass
Scandinavian Modern Candle Scones in Pine, Trä-Paul Furuspecialisten, Sweden
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern Candle Scones in Pine, Trä-Paul Furuspecialisten, Sweden. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use.
Pine
Scandinavian Modern Candle Scones in Pine, Sweden
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern Candle Scones in Pine, Sweden. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age and use.
Pine
Vintage Carved Wood and Brass Antler Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your curated tablescape with the organic elegance of this striking pair of vintage hand-carved wood candlesticks. Drawing inspiration from the fluid forms of nature, these ca...
Brass
Set of 4 Swedish Wall Candlesticks by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Set of four wall mounted “Pendulum” candlesticks designed by Pierre Forssell. Manufactured in Sweden by Skultuna during the 1960s. Made from polished brass. All signed, engraved. M...
Brass
Scandinavian Modern Hand-Carved Wall Candle Holders in Pine, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Beautifully handcrafted in Sweden during the 1940s, this pair of Scandinavian Modern wall-mounted candle holders showcases the warmth and character of solid pine. With sculptural lin...
Pine
$373 / item
Swirl Motif Candleholders, Swedish
Located in London, England
Height: 24cm Designer: Unknown, Swedish Date: 1960s Materials: Brass Description: Swirl Motif Candleholders are elegant and decorative pieces that bring a sense of grace and charm ...
Brass