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.
Modernist Danish Teak Four Panel Room Divider / Folding Screen, Circa 1960s
Located in Peabody, MA
A Danish four-panel folding screen / room divider in teak, circa 1960s. The teak on one side features a radiating starburst pattern. The reverse features carved botanical designs in ...
Teak
Scandinavian Modern Pine geometric room divider folding Screen 3 section
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Pine geometric room divider with a 3-part fold and an open square lattice great design. Made in Sweden. Light weight easy to move a...
Pine
Jomain Baumann French honeycomb screen, 1950s
Located in Brescia, IT
Pine folding screen with a honeycomb structure, a wavy top edge, and original Jomain Baumann nameplates. Made in France, 1950s. The arrangement of the slender pine slats and the wav...
Pine
Vintage Solid Teak Bookends by Brostrom, Denmark, circa 1970
By Brostrom, Denmark 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Solid Teak Bookends Brostrom, Denmark, circa 1970 "each individual bookend is 4 1/4" D x 4 1/4" W x 6 3/8" T" "oiled with food grade mineral oil"
Teak
Set of Scandinavian Modern Screens or Room Dividers in Stained Beechwood, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
Rare set of 5-sided vintage room dividers in stained beechwood handmade in the 1940s by a Scandinavian cabinetmaker. Beautiful five-panel screen, room divider, framing with intricately carved geometric design medallions in wood and negative space. This design is occasionally seen on the International design market, but still haven't been attributed to any specific designer. The style is similar to that of Hans J. Wegner, William Waiting...
Beech
Midcentury Waste Bin in Solid Teak, Made in Denmark
Located in Lejre, DK
Waste bin in solid teak. Designed and made in Denmark, great condition.
Teak
Scandinavian Modern Teak Locking Box by O. Schjøll & B.K. Handest
By O. Schjøll & B.K. Handest, ABO Randers A/S
Located in Philadelphia, PA
O. Schjoll & B.K. Handest for ABO Randers Teak Locking Box. Sliding removable top Tray. These were made in 2 sizes and this is the one that you don't see as often. Good origin...
Brass
Room divider / Screen, rattan, Scandinavian Modern, Swedish mid-1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful rare room divider in rattan, in the style of Larsson Korgmakare (maker of Josef Frank/Firma Svenskt Tenn rattan furniture). Decorative and practical, suits most rooms. ...
Rattan
Alvar Aalto Room / Screen Divider, Finland, 1960s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent vintage condition with signs of usage and patina. Pinewood. Produced by Artek, Finland, late 1960s. Measures: Height 150 cm W 200 cm.
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Teak Wood Bookends, Danish Abstract Brutalist Design
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This pair of mid-century modern bookends showcases a striking Danish abstract brutalist design. Expertly crafted from solid teak wood, the pieces feature an elegant curved silhouette...
Metal
Very Rare Folding Screen / Room Divider in Pine with Suede Strings, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very Rare Folding Screen / Room Divider in Pine with Suede Strings, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Pine, with suede strings Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Alb...
Pine
Folding Screens / Room Dividers Produced by Alberts in Tibro, Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair of folding screens / room dividers. Produced by Alberts in Tibro, Sweden.
Suede, Pine
Scandinavian Spåna teak screen from the 1950s/60s
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian screen model Spåna by Alberts Tibro, 1950s/60s, made of woven teak with leather cord joints. Vintage Scandinavian screen model "Spåna," produced by Alberts Tibro in the...
Leather, Mahogany
Swedish Mid Century Sculptural Iron Fire Screen Sparke Guard Aft Bertil Vallien
Located in Norwich, England
Stylish mid‑century Swedish folding three‑panel sculptural low fire screen/spark guard in hand‑forged iron. After a design by Bertil Vallien. Circa 1960-70. Featuring a linear frame...
Steel, Iron
Screen 100 In Pinewood By Alvar Aalto & Artek Designed in Finland 1936
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Reading, Berkshire
The Artek 100 Screen was designed by Alvar Aalto with a natural aesthetic for various interiors requiring privacy and separation within a room. Its lightweight design can be utilised...
Pine
$5,671Sale Price|20% Off
Alvar Aalto Room Divider Screen 100 By Artek 1950s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
Alvar Aalto's room divider, model 100, manufactured by Artek, material pine. The screen is from the 1950s, and in good used condition. Beautiful patina of time.
Pine
Bamboo and rattan folding screen, Scandinavia, second half of 1900s
Located in Brescia, IT
Three-leaf folding bamboo screen with woven rattan panels. Scandinavian-made folding screen dating from the second half of the 20th century, made of bamboo with woven rattan panels....
Bamboo, Rattan
Alvar Aalto Room Divider Model 100 Produced by Artek in Finland
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Room divider model 100 designed by Alvar Aalto. Produced by Artek in Finland.
Pine
Kai Kristiansen Storage Chest Trunk for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Storage trunk by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, c.1960s, Denmark. The teak chest features a brass hinged lid and brass lock with key. The inside of the chest showcases a large...
Brass
$1,168Sale Price|34% Off
Wonderful Pine Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in Munich, DE
Made from woven pine stripes in massive wooden frames connected with leather.
Pine
"Roomie" a Room Divider by eliaselias in Vintage Fabric, Danish Design, 2023
Located in Odense, DK
Introducing the "Roomie", a large room divider hand crafted by the visionary eliaselias team in 2023. This innovative piece seamlessly blends functionality and aesthetics, redefining...
Brass
Poul Kjærholm PK-111 screen for E. Kold Christensen Denmark, 1956 / c. 1970s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Skokie, IL
Poul Kjærholm PK-111 screen for E. Kold Christensen Denmark, 1956 / c. 1980 Designed 1956, produced 1961-1980 model no. PK-111 produced by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark. PK 111 is a ...
Pine
Vintage Scandinavian Bookends in Oak, 1960s, Set of 3
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of 3 Bookends in Teak with metall rest's probably manufactured by either FM Møbler or ESA in Denmark during the 1960s. Measurements: Heights: 12 cm, Dept: 11 cm.
Aluminum
3x Sculptural Bookends by Spisani Italy Dogs Terrier Labrador
By Povl Kjær
Located in Krefeld, DE
Very nice vintage set of three bookends by Spisani. No damages, free international shipping.
Acrylic
1960s Danish Modern Single Teak Bookend
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Danish Modern Single Teak Wood Bookend 5.25 h x 5.25 d x 4 w Unrestored preowned original vintage condition Wear is present Refer to all images for condition.
Teak
Room Divider Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Room divider on wheels. Produced in Sweden. Dimensions (W x D x H): 85 ( 255 ) x 45 x 148 cm.
Steel
Pair Of Brass Bookends By Lotta Horn For Rejmyre Mässingsbruk Horses Sweden 1990
By Lotta Horn
Located in Norwich, England
Pair of brass bookends modelled as horses by Lotta Horn for Rejmyre Mässingsbruk. Sweden. Early 1990s. Stamped marks. They are richly patinated and in good condition, showing a few ...
Brass
$1,534Sale Price|27% Off
Wonderful Pine Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in Munich, DE
Made from woven pine stripes in massive wooden frames connected with leather.
Pine
Pair of Ystad Metall 1928 Bookends
By Ystad-Metall
Located in New York, NY
Rare and early pair of bronze bookends by Ystad Metall, likely from 1928 and designed by Oscar Antonsson. Decorative design with keenling Puttis holding their hands on an antique urn...
Bronze
$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
1960s Artic Ice Art Glass Sculpture Elephant Bookends Lars Hellsten Orrefors
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Playful sculptures/bookends. Heavy glass crystal at 8 lbs. Ea. Both pieces are signed and retain original decals. No chips.
Art Glass