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Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Danish, 1919-1999

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.

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Creator: Illum Wikkelsø
Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Black lacquered Illum Wikkelsø Gyngestol No.3 rocking chair manufactured by Niels Eilersen. Designed 1958. Spindle back with distinctive short, curved arms. This rocker is in great v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Beech

Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair
Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair

Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair

$990
1960s Illum Wikkelso Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, 2 items a
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - high of seat 42 cm
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Wood

1960s Illum Wikkelso Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, 2 items a
1960s Illum Wikkelso Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, 2 items a

1960s Illum Wikkelso Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, 2 items a

$1,094
Illum Wikkelsø IW3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in London, GB
One of the most iconic rocking chairs produced during the Danish mid century furniture period, the IW3 is ergonomically designed and...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Beech

Illum Wikkelsø IW3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen
Illum Wikkelsø IW3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen

Illum Wikkelsø IW3 Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen

$1,319 Sale Price
20% Off
Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in London, GB
Scandinavian Modern rocking chair in ebonized wood model IW3 designed 1958 by Illum Wikkelsø.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Lacquer

Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s

Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s

$1,605
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Previously Available Items
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair « IW3 » for Niels Eilersen 1960
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Located in Genève, GE
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair « IW3 » for Niels Eilersen. Ready to relax? A celebration in Denmark in the 1960s. The chair is in very good ...
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Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair « IW3 » for Niels Eilersen 1960
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair « IW3 » for Niels Eilersen 1960

Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair « IW3 » for Niels Eilersen 1960

H 37.41 in W 29.53 in D 23.63 in
1960s Illum Wikkelso Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Rocking chair designed by Danish designer Illum Wikkelso, a qualified joiner by trade. He has left behind some masterpieces of furniture that incorporate the fingerwork technique of ...
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

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1960s Illum Wikkelso Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen
1960s Illum Wikkelso Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen

1960s Illum Wikkelso Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen

H 35.83 in W 22.45 in D 28.35 in
Illum Wikkelso and Niels Eilersen Rocking Chair 1958
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Oirlo, LI
Illum Wikkelso and Niels Eilersen rocking chair 1958 This original, iconic, beautifully constructed No. 3 rocking chair was designed by Danish furniture ...
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Wood

Illum Wikkelso and Niels Eilersen Rocking Chair 1958
Illum Wikkelso and Niels Eilersen Rocking Chair 1958

Illum Wikkelso and Niels Eilersen Rocking Chair 1958

H 34.65 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Danish Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Athens, Attiki
Mid-century Danish rocking chair IW3 designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen Mobler of Denmark, 1960s. Wikkelsø's designs are all about simple and natural forms. Wikkelsø bel...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Beech

Mid-Century Danish Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
Mid-Century Danish Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s

Mid-Century Danish Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s

H 34.65 in W 22.84 in D 29.53 in
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair, Mod. Iw3, Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1958
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic Danish Rocking chair - everyones parents and grandparents had one or wanted one in Denmark - this rocking chair is a modern classic. Danish design and craftsmanship, and alway...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Wood

Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair, Mod. Iw3, Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1958
Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair, Mod. Iw3, Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1958

Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair, Mod. Iw3, Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1958

H 35.8 in W 21.5 in D 27.5 in
1960s Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, Denmark
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Praha, CZ
- The item was carefully refurbished - Made of solid beechwood and stained veneered seat - High of seat 42cm.
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

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1960s Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, Denmark
1960s Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, Denmark

1960s Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chair for Niels Eilersen, Denmark

H 35.44 in W 22.45 in D 28.35 in
Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Hamburg, DE
This Mid-Century Modern rocking chair makes a welcome addition to any home with a Minimalist theme. Combining organic shapes and an enveloping seating arrangement, this Danish modern rocker boasts the ideal mix of form and comfort. Its spindle-back design, open-sided frame and light coloration also work together to ensure this piece can sit comfortably in even the smallest of living and bedrooms. Created by architect and furniture designer Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Beech

Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen
Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen

Gyngestol No. 3 Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen

H 35.83 in W 22.84 in D 28.75 in
Midcentury Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury rocking chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s. This piece is made out of white painted beechwood. Visible signs of age and wear. Labeled underneath.
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Beech

Midcentury Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s
Midcentury Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s

Midcentury Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960s

H 35.83 in W 22.84 in D 29.53 in
Illum Wikkelsø Scandinavian Black Oak Danish Rocking Chair, Denmark, 1958
By Niels Eilersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Madrid, ES
IW3 rocker designed in 1958 by Kristian Illum Wikkelsø (1919-1999) for N. Eilersen.
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1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Oak

Illum Wikkelsø Scandinavian Black Oak Danish Rocking Chair, Denmark, 1958
Illum Wikkelsø Scandinavian Black Oak Danish Rocking Chair, Denmark, 1958

Illum Wikkelsø Scandinavian Black Oak Danish Rocking Chair, Denmark, 1958

H 35.83 in W 21.66 in D 29.93 in
Danish Modern Spindle Backed Wooden Rocking Chair
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This black lacquered beech Danish modern spindle backed rocking chair boasts truncated arms and a beautiful patina as highlighted in the included...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Beech

Danish Modern Spindle Backed Wooden Rocking Chair
Danish Modern Spindle Backed Wooden Rocking Chair

Danish Modern Spindle Backed Wooden Rocking Chair

H 34.5 in W 21.25 in D 28 in
Rocking Chair in Soap Treated Oak Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Lejre, DK
Rocking chair in soap treated oak designed by Illum Wikkelsø and from the 1960s. The chair is in excellent vintage condition.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Materials

Oak

Rocking Chair in Soap Treated Oak Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s
Rocking Chair in Soap Treated Oak Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s

Rocking Chair in Soap Treated Oak Designed by Illum Wikkelsø, 1960s

H 35.83 in W 21.26 in D 28.35 in
Illum Wikkelsø Rocker
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A white spindle back rocking chair by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen. Soft edges, organic spindle bends, and a molded plywood seat not only please the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Illum Wikkelsø Rocking Chairs

Illum Wikkelsø Rocker
Illum Wikkelsø Rocker

Illum Wikkelsø Rocker

H 36 in W 22.5 in D 27 in

Illum Wikkelsø rocking chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Illum Wikkelsø rocking chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Illum Wikkelsø rocking chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original rocking chairs by Illum Wikkelsø were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider rocking chairs by Bramin Møbler, Ole Wanscher, and France Søn. Prices for Illum Wikkelsø rocking chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $990 and can go as high as $1,503, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,296.

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