Skip to main content

Yngve Ekström Canapes

Swedish, 1913-1988

Vintage Yngve Ekström furniture embodies the beauty and simplicity of the Scandinavian modern style. The Swedish designer, architect and woodworker created clean-lined hardwood pieces with sophisticated details and flourishes. He was known for his comfortable lounge chair designs as well as chic cocktail tables and handsome highboard cabinets.

Ekström was born in 1913 in Småland, home to Sweden’s oldest furniture factory, Hagafors Stolfabrik. After his father died, he began working at the factory. In 1945, Ekström and his older brother, Jerker Ekström, opened ESE Möbler, a furniture company headquartered in their hometown. In 1952, they received acclaim for their innovative Thema chair. The laminated veneer chair was packed flat for easy shipping so customers could assemble it at home. Ekström followed it with the 1955 Arka chair for the furniture manufacturer Stolab. A spindle backrest and spacious curved seat gave the chair comfort and style.

Ekström’s most popular design was the 1956 Lamino chair. Still in production, the minimalist wooden-frame chair features a sinuous and inviting profile with a high backrest. Looking back at his well-loved design, Ekström said: “To have designed one good chair might not be a bad life’s work.”

After Ekström’s brother left the company, he changed the name to Swedese. Ekström sold Swedese in 1974, but continued to design for it until he died in 1988. His furniture is in museum collections around the world, including the National Museum in Stockholm, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Victoria Albert museum in London. In 1999, Swedish design magazine Sköna Hems named the Lamino chair the “20th-Century’s Best Swedish Furniture Design.”

Swedese, which still occupies its original building in Småland, partnered with artist Kustaa Saksi in 2017 to update the iconic Lamino chair. 

On 1stDibs, find vintage Yngve Ekström seating, tables, storage cabinets and more.

to
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
109
43
29
28
27
Creator: Yngve Ekström
Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Sven Larsson, Yngve Ekström, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Mid-century pine armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970 Mid-century brutalist solid pine lounge chair with new upholstery in it's original brown corduroy. Elegant design and great ...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Pine

Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

$4,100 / set
Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Sven Larsson, Charlotte Perriand, Yngve Ekström
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Mid-century pine sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970. Mid-century brutalist solid pine lounge chair with new upholstery in it's original brown velvet. Elegant design and great comfor...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970

$5,200
Related Items
17th Century Walnut Sofa
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fine 17th century walnut Louis XIII canapé. The original frame was fully restored and newly upholstered by our workshop.
Category

17th Century French Louis XIII Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Walnut

17th Century Walnut Sofa
17th Century Walnut Sofa

17th Century Walnut Sofa

$8,089
H 45.67 in W 70.08 in D 31.5 in
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Walnut, Silk

Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa

Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa

$50,336
H 37.8 in W 80.71 in D 22.05 in
Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Basildon, London
Yngve Ekström was one of the most important figures in the evolution of the Scandinavian Modernism movement and co-founder of the furniture design company Swedese. This living room ...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Pine

Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s
Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s

Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s

$1,989 / set
H 36.62 in W 48.43 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Sofa from Bröderna Andersson, 1950s
By Bröderna Anderssons 1
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This three-seater sofa was made by the Swedish manufacturer Bröderna Anderssons during the 1950s. The sofa is upholstered with a high-quality material in a noble red color. It is an ...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Vintage Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Sofa from Bröderna Andersson, 1950s
Vintage Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Sofa from Bröderna Andersson, 1950s

Vintage Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Sofa from Bröderna Andersson, 1950s

$3,255 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.93 in W 73.63 in D 28.35 in
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
By Mogens Hansen, Børge Mogensen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in brown leather, resting on legs made from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless comfort, the pie...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s

Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s

$2,200
H 29.53 in W 56.3 in D 32.29 in
18/19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm Gilded
By Ephraim Stahl
Located in Epfach, DE
Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl, Stockholm circa 1800 This exquisite piece, a small sofa crafted by Ephraim Stahl in Stockholm around 1800, represents the refined elega...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Bronze

18/19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm Gilded
18/19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm Gilded

18/19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Sofa by Ephraim Stahl Stockholm Gilded

$10,187
H 37.01 in W 60.63 in D 22.45 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This Cromwell 3-seater leather sofa was designed by Arne Norell during the 1960s. It is a timeless design and as popular today as it was 60 years ago when it was launched. The sofa is upholstered with high-quality natural leather in shades of earthy brown. The slender form with slightly tilted sides has a modernist character. It has loose seat cushions, backrests and side cushions. The legs were made of oak wood. This Cromwell sofa...
Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960s
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960s

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960s

$5,076 Sale Price
20% Off
H 25.6 in W 83.08 in D 32.68 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless Mid-Century Modern style Sofa in the manner of Finn Juhl ( Danish 1912- 1989). The sofa features sculptural shape inspired by the Modern free art. The seat and back of the...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl

Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl

$5,450
H 33 in W 74 in D 31 in
"Sibbo" - Yngve Ekström - Oak Armchair - Midcentury Swedish Design
By Stolab, Yngve Ekström
Located in Stockholm, SE
The Sibbo armchair, designed by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, is an elegant and enduring example of Swedish furniture design from the 1950s. Crafted from solid oak, it embodies the essen...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Oak

"Sibbo" - Yngve Ekström - Oak Armchair - Midcentury Swedish Design
"Sibbo" - Yngve Ekström - Oak Armchair - Midcentury Swedish Design

"Sibbo" - Yngve Ekström - Oak Armchair - Midcentury Swedish Design

$1,677
H 29.53 in W 23.23 in D 18.9 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Børge Mogensen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Mogens Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless com...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s

Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s

$2,200
H 29.73 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern three-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, generous proportions, and inviting c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Leather, Beech

Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s

Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s

$3,500
H 29.93 in W 81.89 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian sofa with chrome back details and original velvet upholstery. Overall the sofa is in good vintage condition.  
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Yngve Ekström Canapes

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s

Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Sofa with Chrome Structure, 1970s

$3,027
H 29.53 in W 81.11 in D 35.44 in

Yngve Ekström canapes for sale on 1stDibs.

Yngve Ekström canapes are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original canapes by Yngve Ekström were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 1950s. Prices for Yngve Ekström canapes can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,500 and can go as high as $4,650, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,075.

More Yngve Ekström Furniture

Yngve Ekström Lounge Chairs
Yngve Ekström Armchairs
Yngve Ekström Chairs
Yngve Ekström Dining Room Chairs
Yngve Ekström Benches
Yngve Ekström Sofas
Yngve Ekström Side Chairs
Yngve Ekström Rocking Chairs
Yngve Ekström Stools
Yngve Ekström Footstools
Yngve Ekström Tables
Yngve Ekström Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
View All Popular Canapes Searches