The work of furniture designer Illum Wikkelsø wholly embodies the spirit of Scandinavian modernism. With their organic forms and wealth of angles inspired by the Danish countryside, his vintage lounge chairs, sofas and other seating pieces offer ergonomic comfort and lasting visual appeal.
Born Kristian Illum Wikkelsø and raised in a town near Faaborg, Denmark, the designer grew up around carpentry and cabinetmaking. He apprenticed with a cabinetmaker in his teens and enrolled in classes at the Technical Society School in Copenhagen as well as the Danish School of Arts & Crafts. At the latter, Wikkelsø studied under Kaare Klint, an architect and designer widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture.
After completing his studies, Wikkelsø went on to work with famed Danish architect and furniture maker Jacob Kjær. After a time with Kjær, he moved on. He went to work for designer and architect Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen at Hvidt & Mølgaard, a firm established by Mølgaard-Nielsen — Wikkelsø’s former instructor at the Technical Society School — and Peter Hvidt that yielded more than 250 designs and lasted over 30 years.
In 1954, Wikkelsø opened his own design studio in Aarhus, Denmark. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he made quite a name for himself, with designs that were new and innovative to the industry at the time. He created furniture for Holger Christiansen and secured commissions from the Danish government. While he’s likely best known today for his inviting teak and leather lounge chairs or slender rosewood dining chairs, some of Wikkelsø’s 1960s-era lounge chairs merged Danish craftsmanship and Pop art with their unconventionally shaped chrome frames and vibrantly colored upholstery.
Wikkelsø passed away in 1999, but collectors around the world continue to prize his outstanding designs.
Find vintage Illum Wikkelsø tables, seating and case pieces on 1stDibs.
$4,950
H 39 in W 32.25 in D 35.75 in
1960s Model 7001H Lounge Chair by Sven Ivar Dysthe for Dokka Møbler
By Sven Ivar Dysthe
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by acclaimed Norwegian industrial designer Sven Ivar Dysthe and produced by Dokka Møbler during the 1960s, the Model 7001H lounge chair represents the evolution of Scandinav...
Leather, Hardwood
$2,200
H 38 in W 25.5 in D 38 in
Vintage 'Fortino' High Back Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century ‘Fortino’ high back armchair designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese. This Swedish design features a connected bentwood beech wood frame. The frame is the most impressive f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam, Beech, Bentwood
$1,126
H 29.14 in W 26.78 in D 29.14 in
Danish Rosewood Capella Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This lounge chair No. 4 or the Capella chair was designed by Illum Wikkelsø in 1959 and manufactured by Niels Erik Eilersen in the early 1960s. It featur...
Leather, Rosewood
Danish Leather Capella Armchair by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in London, GB
A stunning Danish leather Capella armchair by Illum Wikkelso. This was made in Denmark by Niels Eilersen in the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, the solid wooden frame is beautif...
Leather, Wood
“Amiral” Armchair by Eric Merthen for Ire Möbler, Sweden 1960
By Eric Merthen
Located in Kampen, NL
“Amiral” Armchair by Eric Merthen for Ire Möbler, Sweden, 1960s. A distinguished example of Scandinavian modern design, featuring a sculptural solid wood frame paired with sumptuous ...
Leather, Oak
$1,988
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 25.6 in
Easy chair 'Läckö' designed by Ingemar Thillmark for OPE Möbler, 1960s
By Ingemar Thillmark
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Easy chair designed by Ingemar Thillmark, model is called 'Läckö' and was produced by OPE Möbler, Sweden, during the 1960s. Rustic design. Frame in beech and cushions in thick tuft...
Leather, Beech
$4,707
H 25.6 in W 33.47 in D 31.5 in
1960ties Illum Wikkelsoe V11A, lounge chair by Holger Christensen
By Illum Wikkelsø, Holger Christiansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Illum Wikkelsø 1919-1999. Lounge chair, freestanding, upholstered in brown leather, loose cushions with down filling, cone-shaped oak legs, 1960s 1970s. Produced by Holger Kristianse...
Leather, Oak
$1,647
H 38.19 in W 26.78 in D 34.26 in
Scandinavian 1960s “Ruster” Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström for Pastoe
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Paris, FR
The notable Ruster Danish lounge chair by Swedish designer Yngve Ekström and edited by Pastoe in the 1960s. The leather is in its original condition, the frame has been expertly re-f...
Leather, Teak
$6,600
H 35.44 in W 35.83 in D 34.26 in
“ML 91" Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Mikael Laursen, Denmark 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø believed that furniture should be built to last, to indulge the body, and to please the eye. He belonged to a group of cabinetmakers who represented th...
Fabric, Wood
$8,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.5 in W 28 in D 27 in
Danish Mid Century Lounge Chair by Svein Dysthe for Dokka Mobler
By Svein Ivar Dysthe, Dokka Mobler
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural and rare Danish modern lounge chair designed by Svein Dysthe for Dokka Mobler. This example has a rosewood frame, and has been professionally reupholstered to the highest standards, using top grade leather. Impressive and iconic midcentury chair...
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage mid-century lounge chair by William Watting, design 1950's
By William Watting
Located in PARIS, FR
Very rare lounge chair, with an original, pure and aesthetic design. Solid oak structure with teak armrests and leg ends that give them a singular elegance. Upholstered in high-quali...
Oak, Leather, Teak
Erik Kirkegaard Mid-Century Modern Armchair, Palisander & Leather
By Høng Stolefabrik, Erik Kirkegaard
Located in PARIS, FR
Superbe fauteuil d’Erik Kirkegaard avec un très beau palissandre et un cuir cognac ancien à la patine exceptionnelle. Design élégant qui rompt avec un certain classicisme et des acco...
Leather, Palisander
FD 133 lounge chair by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen
By Finn Juhl, France & Daverkosen
Located in PARIS, FR
The lounge chair nicknamed Spade Chair, presents the aesthetic characteristics of Juhl’s design and is one of his most emblematic projects. This one is in great condition and it is t...
Wool, Teak
Erik Buch Captain Armchair, palisander & Leather, Mid-Century, 1950s
By Ørum Møbler, Erik Buch
Located in PARIS, FR
Très joli modèle iconique Captain d’Erik Buch réalisé dans un teck bien veiné et avec une patine exceptionnelle. Un design sobre et élégant avec les courbes harmonieuses des accoudoi...
Leather, Palisander
Erik Buch Captain Armchair, Teak & Leather, Mid-Century, 1950s
By Erik Buch, Ørum Møbler
Located in PARIS, FR
Très joli modèle iconique Captain d’Erik Buch réalisé dans un teck bien veiné et avec une patine exceptionnelle qui lui donne un aspect de palissandre. Un design sobre et élégant ave...
Leather, Teak
Desk chair by Torbjorn Afdal for Bruksbo-Nesjestranda
By Bruksbo, Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Torbjørn Afdal
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful and rare Elton model armchair designed by Torbjorn Afdal and manufactured by Bruksbo-Nesjestranda, Norway in the 1960's. The structure is made of solid palissander, in a de...
Leather, Palisander
