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.
Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful two-seat curved sofa manufactured in the 1950s. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat with two feather cushions covered of blue Kvadrat velvet. Perfect condition,...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Fritz Hansen Model 1669 Three-Seat Sofa. Wool Bouclé Fabric. Circa 1940.
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Paris, FR
Rare and elegant three-seat sofa model 1669 manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark, in the 1940s. Original piece from the 1940s newly re-upholstered in the traditional way by the b...
Leather, Sheepskin, Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Faux Fur
Elegant Three-Seat Oak Sofa, Denmark. 1960. New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Three-Seat Oak Sofa, Denmark. 1960. New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric. This sofa in excellent condition is ideal for a centerpiece in a living room or a bedroom. The combination ...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
Børge Mogensen Sofa for Fredericia Stolefabrik. New Upholstery. 1958.
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant and refined three-seat sofa model 205 designed by Borge Mogensen in 1958 and manufactured in Denmark by Fredericia Stolefabrik. This important sofa shows an impressive desig...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Oak
Søren Hansen, Rare Sofa / Bench Model 2240 for Fritz Hansen, 1939
By Søren Hansen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Paris, FR
Two-seat sofa, model 2240, made of Beech wood designed by Søren Hansen in 1939 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen. A rare find and very collectable piece. As a sculptural piece, this ...
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech, Fabric
Hans Olsen Armchair model 500 for CS Møbler, 1960. New upholstery.
By CS Møbler, Hans Olsen
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant single armchair designed by Hans Olsen and manufactured by CS Møbler in Denmark, in the 1960s. Original piece from the 1960s newly re-upholstered in the traditional way by t...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery
Illum Wikkelso ML-90 three-seater sofa Laursen Denmark 1960
By A. Mikael Laursen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
A refined Illum Wikkelsø model ML-90 three-seater sofa, produced by Mikael Laursen, Denmark, circa 1960. This sculptural sofa features beautifully shaped solid wood legs with Wikkels...
Fabric, Teak
Mid-Century Danish 3-seater Sofa ML-140 by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s.
By Illum Wikkelsø, A. Mikael Laursen
Located in Asaa, DK
Mid-Century Danish 3-seater Sofa ML-140 by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s. Beautiful and elegant three seater sofa designed by renowned Danish architect Illum Wikkelsø and manufactured by Da...
Oak
1960s, Danish design by Kurt Østervig, 3 seater sofa, model 57, original.
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design by Kurt Østervig for Rolschau Møbler. 3 seater sofa, model 57, in original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Original light green furniture velour, t...
Velvet, Teak
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Three-Seater Sofa, Scandinavia 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
With a long tradition of craftsmanship, there has always been a heightened appreciation of design throughout Scandinavia. Scandinavian design emerged as a prominent contributor to Eu...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Danish Model Ml 140 Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Mid-Century Danish Modern sofa Model ML140 by Illum Wikkelsø for A. Mikael Laursen, 1960s. Beautiful and elegant three seater sofa designed by renowned Danish architect Illum Wikkels...
Oak
Frits Henningsen 3 Seater Sofa 1960's
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Fritz Henningsen, born in 1889, operated his own workshop primarily in Copenhagen, overseeing the entire process from design to furniture production. His high-quality furniture, whic...
Fabric, Mahogany
