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.
Original 1940s danish modern easy chair in patinated leather with brass nails.
By Fritz Hansen
Located in København K, 84
An exquisite 1940s Danish Modern Easy Chair upholstered in luxurious patinated red leather that has aged beautifully over the years. Ornate brass nails adorn the edges, adding a touc...
Leather, Beech
Viggo Boesen Model 30 Armchair, Beechwood & Niger Leather, Denmark 1940s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in København K, 84
This rare armchair, model 30, was designed by Viggo Boesen attributed to and produced by Slagelse Møbelværk in Denmark during the 1940s, a formative period of pre-war and early post-...
Goatskin, Beech, Leather
Rare Pair of 1930s danish modern armchairs by Magnus Stephensen for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Magnus Stephensen
Located in København K, 84
This rare pair of Danish modern armchairs, designed in the 1930s by architect Magnus Læssøe Stephensen for esteemed cabinet maker Fritz Hansen, exemplifies the innovative spirit of e...
Leather, Beech
Danish Art Deco Armchairs by Fritz Hansen, 1930s, Reupholstered
By Fritz Hansen, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Paul Follot
Located in København K, 84
A distinguished pair of Danish Art Deco armchairs from the 1930s, exemplary of the period’s sculptural woodworking and refined material sensibilities. Reupholstered by our profession...
Beech, Sheepskin
Rare armchair by master cabinetmaker Jacob Kjaer Møbelhaandværk Denmark 1960
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in København K, 84
This Danish modern armchair by Jacob Kjaer, a revered master cabinet maker and modernist pioneer, embodies the essence of mid-century design sophistication. Crafted in 1960 in Copenh...
Leather, Hardwood
Rare 1940s Danish Modern Lounge Chair in Elm by Søren Hansen for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Søren Hansen
Located in København K, 84
Rare Danish Modern Lounge Chair in Elm designed by Søren Hansen, who was a relative and part owner of Fritz Hansen in the 1940s, is a remarkable piece of mid-century furniture that h...
Elm
PH Armchair, Chrome, Leather Extreme Black
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Reminiscent of the roots of a tree, the legs of the PH armchair provide a stability and strength that is refined, unobtrusive and does not distract visuall...
Chrome
Office Chair in Aluminum and Leather by Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen, 1960s
By Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This very rare office chair, model 932, was designed by Jørgen Lund and Ole Larsen and produced by Bo-Ex in Denmark during the 1960s. The chair features an organically curved shell u...
Aluminum
Midcentury Leather and Chrome Swivel Chair
By Gardner Leaver, George Mulhauser, Steelcase, Maison Jansen
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Gardner Leaver for Steelcase Easy chair in saddle brown leather. Chrome is in good shape with no rust. Has just the right angle to be used as an office chair, reading chair or even lounge chair. Swivels 360 with ease. This is a very solid heavy chair...
Chrome
PK 31/1 - Armchair in black leather by Poul Kjærholm
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 31/1 - Armchair in patinated black leather with steel frame. Designed by Poul Kjærholm and made by Fritz Hansen.
Steel
Erik Jørgensen Ej70 Steel and Leather Armchair by J. Foersom & P. Hiort-Lorenzen
By Johannes Foersom, Erik Ole Jørgensen
Located in Marbella, ES
Black and stainless steel modern sofa designed by architect Johannes Foersom & Hiortz-Lorentzen and made by Danish upholster specialists Erik Jorgensen.
Stainless Steel
1970s att Kasthom & Fabricius Black Leather and Chrome Lounge Chair with Ott
By Elsa and Nordahl Solheim, Poul Kjærholm, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a rare and comfortable 1970s German thick black cushioned leather and unique chromed steel frame lounge armed chair and ottoman. This is a statement piece within it's own. Pe...
Chrome
