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.
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Bowl by Otto Mulders, Norway, 1970s
Located in Skien, NO
This stunning Scandinavian Modern bowl, designed, hand-crafted and hand-painted by Otto Mulders (The Netherlands 1927–Norway 1994) at his own studio in ca...
Ceramic
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an elegant, sleek form. Glazed white with a subtle “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and desi...
Stoneware
Stoneware Floor Vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Statuesque stoneware floor vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane, in a clean form with beautiful dark blue hare’s fur glaze. Carl-Harry Stålhane was one of the stars among Swedish ceramic a...
Stoneware
$13,000 / set
Pair of Cast Iron Urns “Mikrokosmos” by Olof Hult
By Olof Hult
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of cast iron urns “Mikrokosmos” designed by Olof Hult (1892-1962) for Nafveqvarns Bruk, Sweden, designed 1922, executed 1920s-1930s. Height 7", diameter 15". Similar item was ...
Iron
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant “Chamotte” stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a stately form. Made in a technique where crushed earthenware is mixed into the stoneware. Rörstrand introduced Gunnar Nylund’...
Stoneware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in a tapering form with a wide mouth, perfect for flowers. Embossed, graphic pattern with celodon green glaze and “Mimosa” flecks. Gunnar ...
Stoneware
Midcentury Earthenware Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Uppsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1940s
By Anna-Lisa Thomson, Upsala Ekeby
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking earthenware floor vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, glazed semi-translucent white. Decorative embossed graphic pattern. The artist Anna-Lisa Thomson is best known for her stonewar...
Earthenware
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson, Uppsala-Ekeby, Sweden, 1937
By Upsala Ekeby, Anna-Lisa Thomson
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Large earthenware vase by Anna-Lisa Thomson in an ample form with a striped pattern. Striking warm yellow glaze with green nuances. The vase is part of the “Expo” series, created fo...
Stoneware
1950s Norwegian Modern design ceramic vase / urn by Kaare Berven Fjeldsaa
Located in Skien, NO
UNIQUE Handcrafted Scandinavian Modern / Mid-Century Modern Style Vase / Urn in Glazed Ceramic with Detailed Decoration of Girls, Deer, and House Motif. Stunning Norwegian design ta...
Ceramic
Midcentury Stoneware Vase by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful stoneware vase by Gunnar Nylund, in an elegant, sleek form. Glazed white with a subtle “Mimosa” pattern. Gunnar Nylund was one of the most influential ceramicists and desi...
Stoneware
Scandinavian Modern Urn in by Eva Jancke Björk, Bobergs Faiance Pottery, Sweden
By Eva Jancke-Björk, Bo Fajans
Located in Stockholm, SE
Scandinavian Modern urn with lid earthenware by Eva Jancke Björk (Birch) 1882-1981), Bobergs Faiance pottery, model 3428 in white glased cracked pattern, ce...
Faience
Large Art Deco Urn Flambé 1930s - Gunnar Nylund - Rörstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large ceramic urn designed by Gunnar Nylund at Rörstrand. It is 30.5 cm (12.2") tall and in excellent condition. It is marked as the photo shows and it is marked as 1st quality, Th...
Ceramic
Oldnordic urn / evaporator of terracotta lacquered with an antique bronze
Located in DK
This impressive ‘Oldnordic’ urn / evaporator of terracotta by Michael Andersen (1859-1931) was executed around 1900 in Rønne, Bornholm. The urn / evaporator is lacquered with an ant...
Bronze
Cast Iron Urn Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Cast iron urn produced in Sweden.
Iron
Handmade Scandinavian Modern Ceramic Lidded Urn, Glazed, 1993
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade studio colorful glazed ceramic urn with lid. Multiple hand-carved decorations and Picasso inspired animals and creatures in mint and forest green, warm burgundy, aqua and du...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Swedish Stoneware Floor/table lamp by Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A huge and striking stoneware table or floor lamp by Carl-Harry Stålhane, in pure form. Earthy eggshell-colored glaze with a matte surface. Carl-Harry Stålhane was one of the stars ...
Stoneware
Midentury Stoneware Floor Vase, Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Statuesque stoneware floor vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane, in a clean form with beautiful blue glaze with in steely nuances with lighter undertones. Carl-Harry Stålhane was one of the ...
Stoneware
Stoneware Floor Vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane
By Carl-Harry Stålhane, Rörstrand
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Statuesque stoneware floor vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane, in a clean form with beautiful eggshell colored glaze and “Mimosa” decor. Carl-Harry Stålhane was one of the stars among Swed...
Stoneware
Miniature Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Collection of six amazing miniature stoneware vases and platters by Gunnar Nylund. Made in matching forms, with a variety of colors and glazes, tied together by a graphic expression....
Stoneware
Andersson & Johansson, Urn, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An cream white-glazed stoneware urn designed and produced by Andersson & Johansson, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Stoneware
Carl-Harry Stålhane, a large stoneware bowl
Located in Long Island City, NY
Carl-Harry Stålhane (Sweden, 1920-1990) Carl-Harry Stålhane, a large stoneware bowl, Designhuset, Sweden. Signed S Carl-Harry Stålhane with glaze no Y40. Round with glaze in beige, ...
Stoneware
Large Eva Jancke Björk Crackle Glazed Lidded Urn. Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1940s
By Ewald Dahlskog, Gefle, Eva Jancke-Björk, Bo Fajans
Located in Malmö, SE
A grand Scandinavian Modern urn with amazing off white crackle glaze. Designed by Eva Jancke-Björk for Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1940s. This urn (model 3428) was in production 1943-1951. ...
Ceramic
Light Blue Lidded Stoneware Urn by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s
By Rörstrand, rorstrand studio, Gunnar Nylund
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware urn with amazing relief pattern in the form of birds in trees. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1940s. Good condition. Factory second due to ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Royal Copenhagen Crackle Glazed Lidded Urn. Thorkild Olsen, Denmark, 1951.
By Thorkild Olsen, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Malmö, SE
Elegant Royal Copenhagen crackle glazed lidded urn with gilded banding on foot, rim and lidd. Designed by THORKILD OLSEN (1890-1973) for ROYAL COPENHAGEN. Made in Denmark, 1951. Make...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Large Eva Jancke Björk Crackle Glazed Lidded Urn. Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1940s
By Ewald Dahlskog, Gefle, Eva Jancke-Björk, Bo Fajans
Located in Malmö, SE
A grand Scandinavian Modern urn with amazing off white crackle glaze. Designed by Eva Jancke-Björk for Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1940s. This urn (model 3428) was in production 1943-1951. ...
Ceramic
Large Eva Jancke Bjork Hand Painted Lidded Urn. Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1940s.
By Gefle, Bo Fajans, Bobergs Fajansfabrik AB, Eva Jancke-Björk, Ewald Dahlskog
Located in Malmö, SE
A grand and beautiful lidded vase. Hand painted faience on glazed stoneware. Scandinavian Modern / Swedish Grace. Designed by Eva Jancke-Björk for Bo Fajans, Sweden, 1940s. Great co...
Ceramic, Faience
$12,148 / set
Pair of Urns No.1 in Cast Iron by Anna Petrus, 1927
By Anna Petrus
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Urns No.1 in Cast Iron by Anna Petrus, 1927 Additional Information: Material: Cast iron Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Näfveqvarns bruk in Sweden Dimensions (W ...
Iron
Scandinavian Modern Wooden Pine Urn Exceptional Quality, 1970s, Sweden
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This wonderful urn was created in Älvdalen, Sweden, 1974. The amount of hour to create this exceptionally well worked piece are countless. The finish in the layers of the Pine wood i...
Pine
Upsala Ekeby, Urn, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
By Upsala Ekeby
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable blue-glazed earthenware urn designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Earthenware
White and Gold 'Carrara' Tea Caddy by Wilhelm Kage. Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s
By Wilhelm Kage, Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful rectangular Art Deco stoneware box / tea caddy with 'Carrara' glaze and gold details. Made by Wilhelm Kåge at Gustavsberg Studio in Sweden, 1940s. Good original conditi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Jais Nielsen Ceramic Vase / Urn with Lid by Royal Copenhagen in Denmark
By Jais Nielsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Ceramic vase / urn with lid designed by Jais Nielsen. Produced by Royal Copenhagen in Denmark.
Ceramic