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Scandinavian Modern Collection

Scandinavian Modern Furniture Collection (Denmark, Finland, Sweden; 1930–present)
Scandinavian Modern Furniture Collection (Denmark, Finland, Sweden; 1930–present)

The designers of Scandinavian modernism created the warmest and most human iteration of modernist ideals. Their work was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. The gentle, organic contours that are typical of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture appear in the work of 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 Bruno Mathsson, creator of the classic Grasshopper chair, but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the ’20s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced Scandinavian modern pieces 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. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarapaneva.

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 he 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, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.

On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable Scandinavian modern designs and many new discoveries. Even more than 50 years on from their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight.

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Armchair by Arne Jacobsen Model 3208
Located in San Francisco, CA
Armchair with teak shell and armrests, chromed tubular steel base. Designed in 1970. Produced by Fritz Hansen, year 1970. (Capsule underneath seat stamped 1970). Both first editions ...
Category

1970s Danish Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Armchair by Arne Jacobsen Model 3208
Armchair by Arne Jacobsen Model 3208

Armchair by Arne Jacobsen Model 3208

$10,000 / set
Seagull Armchair by Gosta Berg
By Gosta Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Armchair and ottoman upholstered in beige suede with steel base.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Metal

Seagull Armchair by Gosta Berg
Seagull Armchair by Gosta Berg

Seagull Armchair by Gosta Berg

$37,500 / set
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Velvet Lounge Armchair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Dark mahogany outer frame. Hardwood inner frame. New recycled foam back and seat cushion. New luxurious high-end taupe and ivory windowpane-checked velvet upholstery fabric....
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery

Swedish Mid-Century Modern Velvet Lounge Armchair
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Velvet Lounge Armchair

Swedish Mid-Century Modern Velvet Lounge Armchair

$1,943
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Pair of Mid-Century Red Velvet Lounge Chairs or Armchairs
Located in Rome, IT
Very comfortable pair tulip shape red velvet of armchairs with scrolled hand holds . Soft and beautiful original vintage red velvet upholstery. The conical legs are in original con...
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1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

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Pair of Mid-Century Red Velvet Lounge Chairs or Armchairs
Pair of Mid-Century Red Velvet Lounge Chairs or Armchairs

Pair of Mid-Century Red Velvet Lounge Chairs or Armchairs

$11,328
H 34.65 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Gösta Berg Easy Chair with Stool Model Måsen / Seagull by Fritz Hansen
By Gosta Berg
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair with stool model Måsen / Seagull designed by Gösta Berg. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark. Dimensions easy chair (W x D x H): 94 x 100 x 88.5 cm, SH 39 cm. ...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Steel

Gösta Berg Easy Chair with Stool Model Måsen / Seagull by Fritz Hansen
Gösta Berg Easy Chair with Stool Model Måsen / Seagull by Fritz Hansen

Gösta Berg Easy Chair with Stool Model Måsen / Seagull by Fritz Hansen

$47,103 / set
H 34.65 in W 37.01 in D 39.38 in
Armchair by Henning Kjærnulf
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Armchair by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and new upholstered with bouclé. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with midcen...
Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Leather, Oak

Armchair by Henning Kjærnulf
Armchair by Henning Kjærnulf

Armchair by Henning Kjærnulf

$1,431
H 38.59 in W 26.38 in D 22.84 in
Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs A Pair
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Hudson, NY
Everything about these chairs is right on the money. The perfect amount of upholstery, wood and quality. The lies are strong ad angular, suggesting movement. The seats are wide ad co...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

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Fabric, Wood

Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs A Pair
Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs A Pair

Mid Century Modern Lounge Chairs A Pair

$4,200
H 34 in W 26 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern walnut lounge chairs designed and manufactured in the United States, circa 1950s. These chairs have a great dist...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Mohair, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs

$5,200 / set
H 30 in W 28 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern lounge chair manufactured in the United States. This chair features a solid walnut-stained oak frame with sculptural armrests...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

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Fabric, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair

$2,250
H 27.5 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Armchairs or Lounge Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek pair of decorator chairs circa 1970's. These chairs are heavy and well made. The upholstery is original and needs immediate recovering before u...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

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Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Armchairs or Lounge Chairs
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Armchairs or Lounge Chairs

Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Armchairs or Lounge Chairs

$2,350 / set
H 33 in W 24 in D 24 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Black Walnut Lounge Armchairs, 1957
By Edward Wormley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Elegant pair of black walnut lounge armchairs. Totally restored including wood and all new upholstery and padding. Great style with wrap aro...
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Pair of Mid-Century Modern Black Walnut Lounge Armchairs, 1957
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Black Walnut Lounge Armchairs, 1957

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Black Walnut Lounge Armchairs, 1957

$2,595 / set
H 32 in W 25 in D 26 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Sculptural Vintage Lounge Armchair Chair Teak, 1960s
Located in Madison, WI
Beautiful Danish lounge chair, frame only. Priced well below market value. We recommend refinishing the frame and re-strapping the seat straps. Re-strapping is often done by an uph...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Modern Collection

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Teak

Mid-Century Danish Modern Sculptural Vintage Lounge Armchair Chair Teak, 1960s
Mid-Century Danish Modern Sculptural Vintage Lounge Armchair Chair Teak, 1960s

Mid-Century Danish Modern Sculptural Vintage Lounge Armchair Chair Teak, 1960s

$636 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29 in W 28.5 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair
Located in North York, ON
Mid-Century Modern lounge chair. Featuring textured designer linen fabric. Price includes complimentary scheduled curb side delivery service to the continental USA.
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair

Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair

$2,560 Sale Price
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H 28 in W 31 in D 30 in
Scandinavian Modern Armchair by Botema
By Botema
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Teak and canvas side chair by Botema makes a stylish Scandinavian Modern addition to any interior. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ).
Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Scandinavian Modern Collection

Materials

Canvas, Teak

Scandinavian Modern Armchair by Botema
Scandinavian Modern Armchair by Botema

Scandinavian Modern Armchair by Botema

$1,200
H 36 in W 24.5 in D 32 in
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Grid Back Cherry Lounge / Armchairs, Rene Gabriel
By Rene Gabriel
Located in New York, NY
An Iconic pair of French Mid-Century Modern armchairs, club or lounge chairs in solid cherry by Rene Gabriel, circa 1948. The chairs feature angled armrests and angled saber legs with stunning grid form back rests which propel the chairs forward into a distinctive modern sensibility. The grid back form has since become an emblematic design of Rene Gabriel. In addition, Gabriel initiated a design innovation as he was one of the first designers to design the chairs proudly displaying their means of construction and to highlight the means of construction itself as an element of style! Thus, the solid cherry wood frame is tongue and groove notched and displayed at the front of the chairs where the legs join the arms. This gives the chairs a bold look. The chairs have been refinished and have new cushions covered in cotton. Gabriel was one of the premiere Modernist designers in France in the post war 1940...
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Pair French Mid-Century Modern Grid Back Cherry Lounge / Armchairs, Rene Gabriel
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Pair French Mid-Century Modern Grid Back Cherry Lounge / Armchairs, Rene Gabriel

$19,990 / set
H 31 in W 25.5 in D 34 in

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Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs

If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.

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