Early 20th Century Oak Armchair by Thorvald Bindesbøll, Denmark circa 1905

Over a century after his death, Thorvald Bindesbøll is remembered for his wonderfully artistic ceramic designs, smithed creations and imaginative lighting fixtures. The Danish architect, designer and artist brought a creative eye and meticulous hand to everything he made.

Born in Copenhagen, Bindesbøll’s early education was unconventional. His father, the famed architect Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll, taught him at home. Growing up around his father’s students and colleagues, he was challenged to match them in intellect and artistic acuity.

In 1876, Bindesbøll graduated with an architecture degree from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Instead of just focusing on architecture, Bindesboll developed a love of art, with a special emphasis on ceramics. 

He worked for a time at Frauens Levarefabrik and then for Johan Wallmann from 1883 to 1890. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century, Bindesbøll collaborated with craftspeople from diverse disciplines, including ceramicists, silversmiths and goldsmiths. 

Bindesbøll spent a great deal of time designing silver works. The success of these designs led to factories producing inferior copies. 

Bindesbøll died in 1908, leaving behind numerous design sketches and an eclectic body of work that continues to be prized by collectors today.

On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage Thorvald Bindesboll decorative objects, lighting, serveware and more.

Exemplary designs for wood chairs, cabinets, desks and tables are part of the legacy associated with Rud Rasmussen, an iconic Danish furniture manufacturer that collaborated with some of the world’s best known and universally revered Scandinavian modernists.

Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier was established in 1869 in Copenhagen. The workshop’s founder, cabinetmaker Rudolph Rasmussen, was raised in a family of carpenters and had initially specialized in oak furniture. It wasn’t long before the business had grown — in 1876, Rasmussen was operating out of a four-storey factory, and by the end of the 19th century, the manufacturer had forged relationships with esteemed Danish architects including Vilhelm Dahlerup and Thorvald Bindesbøll.

With Rudolph Rasmussen's passing in 1904, the founder’s sons, Rudolph and Victor, took control of the company. They realized their father's dream of expanding the business — the firm had by then been accepting commissions from Copenhagen City Hall and was soon producing furniture for the likes of the police station, the postal service, ministries, technical universities and hospitals. More longstanding collaborations with legendary cabinetmakers and architects came into play, too.

Rud Rasmussen partnered with Mogens Koch, Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Kaare Klint, the founder of the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The manufacturer is known to collectors for producing Koch’s versatile bookcases, and, in 1933, Rud Rasmussen debuted Klint’s Safari chair — a clever and timeless interpretation of campaign furniture.

Carl Hansen and Søn acquired Rud Rasmussen in 2011.

Find vintage Rud Rasmussen seating, case pieces and decorative objects on 1stDibs.