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.
Rosewood Bar Cabinet by Illum Wikkelsø, Danish design, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Danish mid-century drinks cabinet in rosewood on casters, designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Silkeborg Møbelfabrik (CFC) in the 1960s. The cabinet features interior shelving...
Rosewood
Bar Cabinet on Wheels in Rosewood, Formica and Steel by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960's
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bar Cabinet on Wheels in Rosewood, Brass, Formica and Steel by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, brass, formic...
Rosewood, Formica
Rolling Bar Cabinet in Rosewood from CFC Silkeborg
By Illum Wikkelsø, CFC Silkeborg
Located in Toledo, OH
Rolling Bar Cabinet in Rosewood from CFC Silkeborg. Danish Mid-Century Rosewood drinks cabinet designed by Illum Wikkelso and produced by Silke...
Rosewood
Illum Wikkelso Teak Bar Cabinet Danish Mid Century Modern
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Illum Wikkelsø Teak Cocktail or bar cabinet cabinet, designed for C.F. Christensen. Made in Denmark. Mirrored interior with harlekin mirrors. One glass shelf inside. 31.75″ wide x 16...
Mirror, Teak
$1,562 / item
H 66.9 in W 31.5 in D 11.4 in
"Perf" Bar Cabinet in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel
By Moroso, Diesel Creative Team 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Perf" is a bar cabinet, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, in varnished steel black mat, with doors in varnished steel available in these colors: copper, b...
Steel
Outstanding And Unique Bar Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani ca' 1940's
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An outstanding bar cabinet (bar mobile) by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani, 1940's, documented. Leather covered doors reveal mirrored, lighted back with glass/brass shelves i...
Brass
$1,800Sale Price|60% Off
H 28.75 in W 34.5 in D 19.5 in
Midcentury Danish Rosewood Bar Cabinet by Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen
By Niels Erik & Glasdam Jensen
Located in Oakland, CA
Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen expanding midcentury rosewood bar cabinet with two sections that slide out to reveal a stylish interior with...
Rosewood
Bronze Mirrored Bar Cabinet by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A two-part mirrored cabinet on chest, perfect for a bar. Two mirrored doors above three mirrored drawers with modern inset brass campaign handles, on a brass base with brass sides. G...
Brass
$3,895
H 43 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Rosewood Bar Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970 Scandinavian bar cabinet in dramatically figured rosewood veneer features two sliding glass doors on the top section over three felt lined drawers on one side and a storage compartment with internal shelf on the other. Tapered legs. Unknown maker. Very good overall vintage condition. Open Shelf Sections...
Glass, Rosewood
$990Sale Price|38% Off
H 43.71 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Space Age Meets Tradition Bar Cabinet from Denmark
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful wow effect bar cabinet from Denmark, clear lines and traditional craftsmanship outside and very modern brushed aluminum details inside....
Teak
$3,295
H 35.5 in W 37.5 in D 18 in
Rosewood Dry Bar Cabinet by M. Hayat & Bros, Brass Inlay, Mid-Century
By M. Hayat & Bros Ltd.
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury bar cabinet of radiant grain solid Rosewood with intricate brass inlay details throughout. Substantial mirrored top panel & drop forward serving surface open simultaneousl...
Brass
$2,713Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.26 in W 32.29 in D 16.54 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Rosewood Bar Cabinet for Stildomus Mid Century 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Stildomus
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning bar cabinet from the Torcello series, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus in the 1960s - a perfect example of rational and sophisticated Italian design. This collection is known for its masterful use of solid wood, combined with a robust yet refined construction, true to the Scarpas' design philosophy. In this case, the wood is solid rosewood, finely crafted to highlight its natural grain and structural strength. One of the most iconic elements of the Torcello series is the use of exposed aluminum joinery, visible at key junctions between panels. This feature celebrates the precise and refined craftsmanship that defined the work of the Scarpa duo. The clean, geometric lines of this piece allow it to integrate beautifully into elegant, high-end interiors without overwhelming the space. This beautiful bar cabinet features two front doors that open to reveal two sliding compartments with several internal sections, ideal for storing glassware and bottles. This item is in very good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present but do not affect its structure or functionality. We kindly ask you to consider these characteristics before purchasing. Dimensions: Height: 87 cm (34.3 in) Width: 82 cm (32.3 in) Depth: 42 cm (16.5 in) Keywords: Afra and Tobia Scarpa - Torcello Collection - Vintage Italian Bar Cabinet...
Rosewood
Danish Viking Bar Cabinet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very unusual, hand painted bar cabinet, as a Danish Viking, made in Italy. Striking naive/modern style, humorous and direct. The back is finished and ...
Wood
Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal
By Müller Möbelfabrikation
Located in Tilburg, NL
Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal. Germany. Design 1998, current production. Available in every RAL-color. A highlight for your office or your home: The cleverly designed bar cabinet KB 3...
Metal
$4,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 29.53 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Extravagant Bar Cabinet by Umberto Mascagni, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Rome, IT
This fancy bar cabinet designed in Italy by Umberto Mascagni .This piece features a cream colored vinyl with anodized aluminium and centered by colorful Italian landscape prints. An ...
Wood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 78.75 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Dry Bar Sideboard Credenza c 1950/60's
By Hans J. Wegner, France & Daverkosen
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Mid Century Danish Modern sideboard, credenza, dry bar, constructed of teak, teak veneer, brass, rosewood and mirror. The cabinet features an asymmetrical case with slidi...
Mirror, Rosewood, Teak
Illum Wikkelsø Dry Bar Cabinet
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar cabinet by Illum Wikkelsø for C.F. Christensen, rosewood, brass, glass, mirror, Denmark, 1960s. This elegant high-legged cabinet is designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by C....
Brass
Illum Wikkelsø Danish Teak Bar Cabinet
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar cabinet by Illum Wikkelsø for C.F. Christensen, teak, brass, glass, mirror, Denmark, 1960s. This elegant high-legged cabinet is designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by C. F...
Brass
Illum Wikkelsø Danish Rosewood Bar Cabinet
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø for C.F. Christensen, rosewood, brass, glass, mirror, Denmark, 1960s. This elegant high-legged cabinet is designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by C. F. Christens...
Brass
Illum Wikkelsø Bar Cabinet Produced in CFC Silkeborg
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare bar cabinet on wheels designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced in CFC Silkeborg. Dimensions (W x D x H): 69,5 ( 141 ) x 45,5 x 67 cm.
Brass, Steel
Illum Wikkelsø Rosewood Tambour Dry Bar #2
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Illum Wikkelsø Manufacturer: C.F. Christiansen Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood Measurements: 47? wide x 18? deep x 45.5? tall Interior 27? wide x 16? d...
Rosewood
Bar Cabinet by Illum Wikkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rosewood bar cabinet by Illum Wikkelso and made by C.F. Christensen, Denmark. Tambour doors, two drawers, glass shelf, diamond frosted mirrors, internal...
Rosewood, Glass, Mirror, Laminate