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.
$3,096
H 27.96 in W 59.06 in D 28.35 in
Desk Made In Teak By Svend Aager Madsen For Sigurd Hansen From 1960s
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
Modern 1960s teak wood desk with 3 drawers on each side designed by Svend Aage Madsen and manufactured by Sigurd Hansen from around the 1960s. High quality desk with shelf at the bac...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Model 54 Kidney Desk in Teak with Bar Cabinet
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Model 54 Kidney desk designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. The desk is crafted in teak with drawers on one side, a tambour-door bar cab...
Teak
1960s Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish Modern Teak Writing Desk Bring refined Scandinavian craftsmanship into your home with this exceptional Danish modern teak writing desk, designed and built in Denmark during t...
Teak
$6,500
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Midcentury Danish Design Desk in Teak by Svend Aage Madsen, 1950s
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking desk in teak with cane details on the frame and the handles. Designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Made in Denmark in the 1950s. Nice original condition.
Cane, Teak
$3,000
H 28.5 in W 53 in D 25.5 in
Danish Modern Arne Vodder Style Teak Writing Or Executive Desk 1960s
By B.J. Hansen, Arne Vodder
Located in Southampton, NJ
Beautiful teak Scandinavian Writing Desk in the manner of Arne Vodder having a file drawer on the left, 3 drawer on the right and case storage at the front. Each drawer features hand...
Brass
Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk by Arne Vodder for H.P. Hansen
By H.P. Hansen, Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exceptional example of Danish Modern design, this stunning teak desk was designed by renowned Danish designer Arne Vodder for H.P. Hansen. Celebrated for his ability to combine el...
Teak
Svend Madsen Mid Century Danish Teak Curved Desk
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Svend Madsen Mid Century Danish Teak Curved Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 29 deep x 28 high, with a chair clearance of 24.5 inches Good Vintage Condition - Minor Stain Wear an...
Teak
$4,219
H 28.35 in W 60.24 in D 29.53 in
1960s VINTAGE DANISH MID-CENTURY TEAK WRITING DESK - ARNE VODDER FOR H.P. HANSEN
By H.P. Hansen, Arne Vodder
Located in Wesseling, DE
Beautiful vintage Danish writing desk from the 1960s designed by Arne Vodder for H.P. Hansen. Elegant Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design with refined proportions, warm teak wood ...
Teak
$4,936
H 28.75 in W 64.97 in D 33.47 in
Danish teak desk model Executive Desk by Ib Kofod Larsen , 1960s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish teak desk model Executive Desk by Ib Kofod Larsen , 1960s Design year: 1960s Designer: Ib Kofod Larsen Dimensions: 85 D x 165 W x 73 H cm between the Drawers ( chair place...
Teak
$3,525
H 28.75 in W 68.9 in D 37.41 in
1960s Large Fully Restored Arne Vodder Executive Desk in Teak by Sibast
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s large fully restored executive desk in teak designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler. The well designed spacious desk is evidence of Arne Voders sense of design an proportion...
Teak
Danish Modern Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top Teak Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
This flip-top partner desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Dansk in Denmark has been immaculately restored. It has a gorgeous deep hue, old-growth quarter-sawn teak with beautiful flecks ...
Teak
Arne Vodder Rosewood Credenza with Blue & White Drawers, Denmark, 1960
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and striking example of Arne Vodder’s celebrated cabinet designs, this credenza showcases his distinctive sculptural drawer fronts in a highly sought-after rosewood variant. M...
Rosewood
Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza in Solid Maple, Circa 1950s
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
A highly functional example of American mid-century modern design, this Paul McCobb Planner Group credenza is constructed in solid maple. Designed by Paul McCobb for the Winchendon F...
Wood, Birch
William Hinn Walnut Dresser by The Swedish Furniture Guild
By Swedish Furniture Guild
Located in San Diego, CA
Introducing the rare and stunning William Hinn curved front dresser by The Swedish Furniture Guild for Urban Furniture. This Scandinavian Modern classic has been executed in Black wa...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Dresser in Mahogany and Leather for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
Uncommon Edward Wormley Dresser in Mahogany and Leather for Dunbar. Gorgeous restored vintage dresser with contrasting channelled recessed pulls in contrasting wood species. This pie...
Mahogany
David Ebner Wall-Mounted Console Table in Australian Lacewood Studio Craft
By David N. Ebner
Located in San Diego, CA
There are furniture makers, and then there are those rare individuals who treat wood the way a sculptor treats marbel — coaxing form from the material rather than imposing it. David ...
Wood
