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.
1960ties Illum Wikkelsoe V11A, lounge chair by Holger Christensen
By Holger Christiansen, Illum Wikkelsø
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
1960ties Illum Wikkelsoe , 2-Seat Sofa by Holger Christensen
By Holger Christiansen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Illum Wikkelsø 1919-1999. Two-seat sofa, freestanding, upholstered in brown leather, loose cushions with down filling, oak legs, 1960s 1970s. Produced by Holger Kristiansen,
Leather, Oak
Børge Mogensen Lounge Chair, model 2207, original upholstery
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen lounge chair original upholstered with black leather. Legs of mahogany. Model 2207, made by Fredericia furniture. Matching three seat sofa available
Leather, Oak
Børge Mogensen Lounge Chair, model 2207, original upholstery
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen lounge chair original upholstered with black leather. Legs of mahogany. Model 2207, made by Fredericia furniture. Matching three seat sofa available
Leather, Mahogany
Børge Mogensen Lounge Chair Model 2207, Teak & Leather, 1960s
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen lounge chair new upholstered with Indian red elegance aniline leather. Legs of teak. Model 2207, made by Fredericia furniture.
Leather, Teak
Illum Wikkelsø for N. Eilersen High back Lounge Chair
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Illum Wikkelso for N. Eilersen Lounge chair of rosewood Original upholstery, patinated nature leather. Model Capella, made by N. Eilersen.
Leather, Rosewood
Danish Lounge Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Holger Christiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Hans J. Wegner, Holger Christiansen
Located in Berlin, DE
Very beautiful lounge chair designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Holger Christiansen in the 1960s in Denmark. The lounge chair comes with a beautifully patinated brown leather...
Leather
1970s, Danish design by Georg Thams for Grant Møbelfabrik, lounge chair.
By Georg Thams, Grant Mobelfabrik
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish design by Georg Thams for Grant Møbelfabrik. Lounge chair in original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Original brown leather, beech wood legs. Manufacture...
Leather, Beech
1960s, Danish design by Kurt Østervig, lounge chair model 55, leather, rosewood.
By Centrum Møbler, Kurt Østervig
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design by Kurt Østervig. Lounge chair model 55. Black leather, rosewood legs. Original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Manufactured by Danish furniture ma...
Leather, Rosewood
Illum Wikkelsø Easy Chair Model V11 Produced by Holger Christiansen in Denmark
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair model V11 designed by Illum Wikkelsø. Produced by Holger Christiansen in Denmark.
Leather, Oak
1970s, Norwegian design by Tormod Alnaes, "Trega" loungechair.
By Sørlie Møbler, Tormod Alnaes
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Norwegian design by Tormod Alnaes for Sørlie Møbler, "Trega" loungechair. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains and stable constructi...
Leather, Canvas, Beech
PK31 Lounge chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm mid century Danish
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Dublin, IE
This rare first edition PK31 armchair by Poul Kjærholm epitomizes the designer’s pursuit of refined structural clarity. Upholstered in supple aniline leather, the piece reveals a ric...
Steel
