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.
DOOQ! NEW! Organic Modern Handmade Nouvelle Vague Dinner Table in Nude, D=120 cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Nouvelle Vague Dinner Table Nude Glossy Tiles Powder Matte Lacquered Wood Top in Travertine Exceptional in its craftwork, Nouvelle Vague is a dinner table that rejects traditional c...
Ceramic, Wood
Pair 1950s Rud Rasmussen Hardwood D-Shaped Centre Tables with Brass Tipped Legs
Located in London, GB
Pair 1950s Rud Rasmussen Mahogany D-Shaped Centre Tables with Brass Tipped Legs. Restoration in progress, although pictures may show condition prior to this.
Hardwood
Scandinavian Modern Black Metal Vintage Dining Table Center Table, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern black vintage dining table or center table, which shows a hair pin metal base and a newly lacquered glossy fiberglass to...
Metal
$7,285Sale Price|55% Off
Kaare Klint Round Dining Table Made of Solid Mahogany by Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
Kaare Klint: A circular solid mahogany dining table with profiled edge and legs. Made and marked by Rud. Rasmussen cabinetmakers. H. 72.5. Diam. 160 cm.
Wood
Rosewood Dining Table by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beautiful Brazilian rosewood dining table designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1960s. Rosewood top and feet with satin chromed steel legs. The top is ...
Rosewood
$1,211Sale Price|48% Off
Vintage Modern Teak Drop-Leaf Coffee Table 5362 by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This extendable drop-leaf coffee table was designed by Børge Mogensen for the Danish manufacture Fredericia Stolefabrik during the 1960s. Cataloge number 5362. The table was finished...
Teak
Rectangular White Marble and Walnut Center Coffee Table
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful corner table, was designed to disrupt the classic position of the legs of most of the tables, putting it on a particular position that assures the stability and leaves the ...
Marble
$1,863Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Modern Danish Teak Wood Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This extendable coffee table was designed by Børge Mogensen for the Danish manufacture Fredericia Stolefabrik during the 1960s. Cataloge number 5362. Table made of teak with a warm, ...
Teak
$1,889 / item
Centre Table Way in Wood and Brass
Located in Lisbon, PT
Inspired by the Scandinavian design, these tables are Minimalist yet detailed. Sensible combination of lacquer and hardwood feet, along with the brass details, results in a very eleg...
Brass
$7,598 / item
Round White Marble Walnut Center Coffee Table
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful center corner table, was designed to disrupt the Classic position of the legs of most of the tables, putting it on a particular position that assures the stability and leav...
Marble
$7,000 / item
Rizo Roccia Gelerio Center Table In Mixed-Media
By RIZO
Located in Mumbai, IN
Crafted with artistic flair, the sculptural Roccia Gelerio center table by RIZO embodies contemporary design with its unique form, texture and materiality. Carved from mixed-mediums,...
Cast Stone, Brass
Rectangular Brown Marble and Walnut Center Coffee Table
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful rectangular premium brown marble table, and walnut was designed to disrupt the classic position of the legs of most of the tables, putting...
Marble
Modern Round Table 'Lavitta' by Poiat, Dark Oak, 120cm
By Poiat
Located in Paris, IDF
Lavitta round table (120 cm) designed by Timo Mikkonen & Antti Rouhunkoski Collection Lavitta 2016 by Poiat Model shown on picture Dimensions :...
Oak
Modern Round Table 'Lavitta' by Poiat, Natural Oak, 120cm
By Poiat
Located in Paris, IDF
Lavitta round table (120 cm) designed by Timo Mikkonen & Antti Rouhunkoski Collection Lavitta 2016 by Poiat Model shown on picture Dimensions :...
Oak
Scandinavian coffee table with double table top
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage pine wood coffee table. A modern, minimally designed piece of furniture that reflects the Scandinavian taste for simplicity and functionality. Consists of a pine wood frame w...
Pine
$7,598 / item
Round Marble Walnut or Oak Center Coffee Table
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful center corner table, was designed to disrupt the Classic position of the legs of most of the tables, putting it on a particular position that assures the stability and leav...
Marble
DOOQ! NEW! Organic Modern Handmade Nouvelle Vague Dinner Table in Nude, D=150 cm
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
Nouvelle Vague Dinner Table Nude Glossy Tiles Powder Matte Lacquered Wood Top in Travertine Exceptional in its craftwork, Nouvelle Vague is a dinner table that rejects traditional c...
Ceramic, Wood
Vintage Danish Minerva Center Table from France & Son
Located in Matosinhos, 13
Minerva table was designed in 1957 by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for France & Son. The brand produced it during the 1950s in Denmark. Label and stamp of France & Son at the...
Leather, Mahogany
Piet Hein & Arne Jacobsen Coffee Table 1970's
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This ‘Super Circular’ coffee table, designed by Arne Jacobsen and P. H. Hein, epitomises Danish design. It is manufactured by Fritz Hansen, another renowned Danish company. Its most ...
Aluminum
Scandinavian Modern Coffee Table by Sordile, Oak Marquetry
By M.C. Escher
Located in DE MEERN, UT
One of a kind. No reproduction. The Tavolo in Metamorfosi is a coffee table which consists of a top of triangles with a specially processed glass plate on top. If you look over the t...
Ebony, Oak, Padouk, Walnut
Occasional Table by Thomas Sandell, Birch & Steel, Sweden, 1990s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table designed by Thomas Sandell for Asplund, Sweden, 1990s. Birch and lacquered tubular steel. Dimensions: H: 49 cm / 1' 7 1/4" L: 120 cm / 3' 11 1/4" D: 63.5 cm / 2' ...
Steel
$1,889 / item
Centre Table Way in Wood and Copper
Located in Lisbon, PT
Inspired by the Scandinavian design, these tables are minimalist yet detailed. Sensible combination of lacquer and hardwood feet, along with the copper details, results in a very ele...
Copper
Sculpted Cocktail Table by Carl Malmsten, 1940s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A remarkable and elegant Cuban mahogany round center table with a sculpted tripod base.
Mahogany
1960s scandi coffee table
Located in Brescia, IT
A vintage coffee table with teak top and birch legs, it stands out for its elegant and functional design. The top, made of teak, features a warm and rich surface that gives the coffe...
Teak
Scandinavian coffee table with double table top
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage pine wood coffee table. A modern, minimally designed piece of furniture that reflects the Scandinavian taste for simplicity and functionality. Consists of a pine wood frame w...
Pine
Swedish Wooden Table with Oblique Legs and Stone Top, Sweden, circa 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Swedish mid-century modern design remains popular today due to its clean lines, functionalism, and timeless aesthetic. Ultimately, Swedish mid-century modern design offers a combinat...
Stone, Brass