Svend Åge Madsen’s sleek and simple hardwood furniture captures the essence of Scandinavian modern style. Although an influential mid-century modern Danish designer, not much is known about Madsen today. However, his desks, armchairs and credenzas speak to his mastery of material and form.
Madsen began designing in the late 1950s and was most prolific in the 1960s. Many well-known Danish cabinetmakers and manufacturers produced his furniture, including K. Knudsen & Son, H.P. Hansen, Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Karl Lindegaard and Moreddi.
Madsen used woods with qualities of warmth and richness such as walnut, teak and rosewood. His distinctive designs are characterized by curving and sloping forms, giving each piece a natural and organic appeal. While he rarely used decorative embellishments, the bowed surfaces, arching drawers and legs shaped like boomerangs added a visual flair.
Madsen was best known for his sculptural writing desks. Many of his desk designs have an eye-catching curved surface that gives the desktop a concave appearance. They often feature tapered legs — a hallmark of mid-century modern style — and generous drawers for stationary and other objects. Deep wood finishes and visible wood grain add to the charm of these sturdy pieces.
Madsen’s beautiful 1960s dining chairs are still highly sought-after by collectors today. The teak chairs have high and angled backrests which lend some sculptural elegance and provide ergonomic support. A low-profile upholstered cushion and clean lines give the chairs an understated style and fantastic versatility.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Svend Åge Madsen tables, cabinets, seating and more.
Original J52B Chair by Børge Mogensen
By FDB Møbler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Brescia, IT
Danish 1950s model J52B chair by Børge Mogensen, in natural beech with imprinted FDB Møbler mark. J52B chair designed by Børge Mogensen in 1952 for FDB Møbler, a symbol of Danish de...
Beech
David Rosèn Futura Chairs for Nordiska Kompaniet
By David Rosén, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Vienna, AT
David Rose`n chairs "Futura" designed in the 1950s for Nordiska Kompaniet. Cherrywood, upholstered seat. New upholstery on request possible.
Cherry
Dining Chair by Niels Otto Møller Model 78
By Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Dining chairs made of solid hardwood, designed in the 1950s by Niels Otto Møller and produced by J. L. Møller Møbelfabrik, model number 78. Original condition. Delivery time about 1-...
Leather, Upholstery, Teak
Borge Mogensen chairs model 575 for Karl Andersson
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful set of chairs from the 1960's in solid natural oak. The fabric is in excellent condition with a rich texture and a distinctive pattern. 6 chairs available. Price per item.
Fabric, Oak
Dining Chair by Niels Otto Møller Model 71
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik, Niels Otto Møller
Located in Vienna, AT
Dining chair made of hardwood, designed 1951 by Niels Otto Møller and produced by J. L. Møller Møbelfabrik, model number 71. Excellent original condition. New upholstery in price inc...
Hardwood
Arne Vodder Chair for Sibast Møbler
By Arne Vodder, Helge Sibast
Located in Vienna, AT
Hardwood frame upholstered with brack leather. Designed by Arne Vodder for Helge Sibast Møbler in the 1960s. Original condition not restored.
Leather, Hardwood
Rosewood Dining Chairs by Vestergaard Jensen for Peder Pedersen
By Peder Pedersen, Helge Vestergaard-Jensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Scandinavian Modern ladder back dining chair by renowned Danish designer Helge Vestergaard-Jensen. This sculptural chair features a luminous Brazilian rosewood frame with black lea...
Leather, Rosewood
Dining Chair by Niels Otto Møller Model 71
By Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Dining chair made of solid teak, designed 1951 by Niels Otto Møller and produced by J. L. Møller Møbelfabrik, model number 71. Original condition. Delivery time 3-4 weeks. Up to 12 a...
Teak
Dining Chair by Niels Otto Møller Model 78
By Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Dining chairs made of solid hardwood, designed in the 1950s by Niels Otto Møller and produced by J. L. Møller Møbelfabrik, model number 78. Original condition. Delivery time about 1-...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Leather
Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Armchair for Johannes Hansen
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Johannes Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Armchair in teak with seat and back upholstered with vegetable-tanned leather. Manufactured by Johannes Hansen.
Leather, Teak
Henning Kjærnulf Model 255 Dining Chair for Bruno Hansen
By Bruno Hansen, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining chair from Henning Kjaernulf, produced by Bruno Hansen. Constructed in teak and oak, with a woven paper cord seat and a curved backrest with angled supports, reminiscent of Ha...
Teak, Papercord, Oak
Model 78 Teak Dining Side Chair by N.O. Møller
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Teak dining side chair designed by Niels Otto Møller in 1962 and manufactured by JL Møllers Møbelfabrik of Denmark with Danish [paper] cord seats. The teak chair has a curved backres...
Papercord, Teak
Model 62 Teak Dining Armchair by N.O. Møller
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Teak dining armchair designed by Niels Otto Møller in 1962 and manufactured by JL Møllers Møbelfabrik of Denmark with Danish [paper] cord seats. The teak chair has a curved backrest ...
Papercord, Teak
Jørgen Baekmark Lounge Chair for FDB Møbler, Oak & Papercord, 1960s
By FDB Møbler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oak frame lounge chair by Jorgen Baekmark for FDB Møbler c.1960s, Denmark. The Model J82 chair has a wide, curved spindle backrest and a spindle detail at t...
Papercord, Oak
Hans Wegner JH-515 Armchair for Johannes Hansen, 1950, Denmark
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans J. Wegner teak armchair c.1950s, Denmark, for Johannes Hansen. The rare model JH-515 features a black leather backrest and seat. Stamped Johannes Hansen, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK. T...
Leather, Teak
Børge Mogensen Teak Side Chair for Søborg Mobelfabrik
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Børge Mogensen Model 155 side dining chair for Søborg Møbelfabrik, c.1950, Denmark. The chair features a sculpted teak plywood seat and seatback, while the legs and frame are made of...
Oak, Teak
