Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by 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 Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style 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, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
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 the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator 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, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Kai Kristiansen Shelf System FM Denmark 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen shelf system in teak. Manufactured by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s.
The wall unit consists of:
- 8 shelves
- 2 cabinets
- 3 wall brackets
detailed meas...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Danish Modern Teak
Glass Shelving System Abstracta by Poul Cadovius, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Odense, DK
Ingenious minimalist shelving or display unit SYSTEM ABSTRACTA designed by Poul Cadovius, Denmark, in the 1960s. The system consists of black metal...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Rarely offered Room Divider by Sven Ellekær 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Rare and beautiful room divider / shelf system by Sven Ellekær for Albert Hansen Denmark 1960s. Made in teak and brass. This divider consits of 7 smaller shelves, 3 large shelves and...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Danish Mid Century Wall Hanging Cabinet with Sliding Mirrored Doors, circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Rare Danish Mid-Century Modern wall hanging cabinet, with original sliding mirrored glass doors. The case is of solid walnut, the sliding doors ar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Korpus Shelf L in Sea Color by Andreas Bergsaker for Hay
Located in Dubai, AE
Korpus is a colourful wall-mounted shelf created for HAY by Norwegian product designer Andreas Bergsaker.
Based on the desire to create a durable multi-purpose shelf from recyclable material, Korpus Shelf...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
Hans J. Wegner Pair of Large Wall Shelves in Oak Ry Mobler, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Pair of Hans J. Wegner oak wall shelves made at Ry Mobler in Denmark in the 1950s. Rare large and early models.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Rare Set of 4 Alvar Aalto
Peg
Wall Shelves Model 112, Artek 1930s-40s.
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful set of 4 Alvar Aalto wall shelves model 112. These shelves with the pegs are much rarer than the normal ones, not to mention a set...
Category
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Modular String Wall Unit in Teak by Nisse Strinning
Located in Vienna, AT
String wall shelf wall unit designed by Nils and Kajsa Strinning in 1949. This one was made in the 1960s in Sweden.
A good vintage condition, traces of use due to the age, yellowed h...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Steel
1958 Danish Teak Royal Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional Cado wall unit in walnut by Danish designer Poul Cadovius.
We currently have many different Cado pieces in stock and can customize your order to include the type and number of pieces you need. We have both the Royal System and the Cado systems...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Alvar Aalto Shelf Model 112B-3 by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek shelf model 112B-3, birch. Shelf is from the 1960s and in good condition. Design by Alvar Aalto. The shelf has been restored.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Teak Cado System Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional wall unit in teak by Danish designer Poul Cadovius.
The unit shown is an example of what we typically stock. Units are sold by the component- wall r...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Teak
$15,000 / item
Børge Mogensen Danish Modern Large Wall Shelving System in Oak
Teakwood, 1956
Located in Odense, DK
Important large wall shelving system in oak and teakwood designed by Børge Mogensen in 1956. This rare and early edition was made at cabinetmaker ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Teak
Floating Wall Shelf with Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Axel Kjersgaard, 1960s
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Rare and beautiful ‘Model 128’ floating shelf designed by Kai Kristiansen around 1960. Very high end manufacturing and make of teak wood with visible j...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Metal
FRAMA Contemporary Design Aluminum Rivet Wall Shelf Large
By Frama
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The Rivet Shelf explores basic storing facets within one shape while functioning as a storage and display platform.
The Rivet design is a symbiosis b...
Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
FRAMA Contemporary Design Aluminum Rivet Wall Shelf Small
By Frama
Located in Copenhagen, DK
he Rivet Shelf explores basic storing facets within one shape while functioning as a storage and display platform.
The Rivet design is a symbiosis be...
Category
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
Oak Shelf System by HG Furniture Denmark 1960s
By HG Furniture
Located in Handewitt, DE
Oak shelf system by HG Furniture Denmark 1960s.
The wall unit consists of:
- 4 shelves
- 4 wall brackets
detailed measurements:
shelves: 4x 89.5 cm x 30 cm (W x D), height wall br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Hans J. Wegner Large Wall Shelf in Pinewood Made at Ry Mobler Denmark, 1954
Located in Odense, DK
Rare Hans J. Wegner wall shelf made at Ry Mobler in Denmark in the 1954. Rare and early edition in pinewood. Stamped on the back with manufacturers logo and dated "September 1, 1954"...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Pine
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$420 / item
Alvar Aalto Artek 112B-2 Shelf 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek shelf model 112B-2, birch. Shelf is from the 1960s and in good original condition. Design by Alvar Aalto. There is an old Artek stamp in the back of ...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Wall Shelves Model 112B-2, Alvar Aalto, Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of two wall shelves model 112B-2 designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Oy Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Ab, 1930s. Birch. Good vintage condition, beautiful patina consistent...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Handcrafted Aluminium Rivet Typecase
By Frama
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rivet Typecase is a compartmentalized aluminum shelf with discrete sections meant for storing and displaying your most cherished objects.
The Rivet de...
Category
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
$1,190 / item
Wall mounted vanity cabinet in teak
By Poul Jensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Wall mounted vanity cabinet in teak by Poul Jensen.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Wood with Inlaid Copper Wall-Mounted Floating Shelf by Huy Lam, ""Elevate No. 4"
By Huy Lam
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Elevate No. 4" is a one-of-a-kind piece as part of Huy Lam's "Elevate" collection. This piece is hand-crafted by the artist using wood-charring techniques with hand-carved wood fash...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Copper
Guild HM14 Shelf in Solid Walnut by Hvidt
Mølgaard for &Tradition
Located in Dubai, AE
Extracting the essence of true craftsmanship, the Guild shelf was originally designed in 1954 for Peter Hvidt’s family home in Klampenborg. Subtly mirroring the curving paths of the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Mid-Century Design Danish Metal Wall Unit, 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Metal holders with plastic shelves.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack model 109C by Artek 1960s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek coat rack model 109C, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1960s, and it has a wonderful patina.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Alvar Aalto Coat Rack by Artek 1930s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Espoo, FI
An old dowel-jointed coat rack by Artek, designed by Alvar Aalto. The coat rack is from around the 1930s and has an old Artek stamp on it. The coat rack has beautiful patina of time.
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Birch
1970s Danish Modern Teardrop Bentwood Wall Shelf Curios, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage 1970s Danish modern teardrop bentwood hanging curio shelves. A coordinating pair in two sizes with a double bentwood frame topped with a rope hoop hanger and secured with cop...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Rope, Bentwood
Modular String Wall Unit in Ashwood by Nisse Strinning, Sweden
Located in Vienna, AT
String regal wall unit designed by Nils and Kajsa Strinning in 1949. This one was made in the 1960s in Sweden.
A very good vintage condition, slight trac...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Steel
Shelf System by Kajsa
Nils Nisse Strinning for String AB 1950s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Teak shelf system by Kajsa & Nils Nisse Strinning for String, 1950s. Made in teak. Model "String". Wallbrackets in black laquered metal. Shelves in diffrent sizes. 3 shelves with two...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Kai Kristiansen FM Rosewood Wall Unit #2
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian rosewood wall system designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark. FM-Reolsystem is a fully interchangeable wall mount shelving system. Crafted in rosewoo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood, Wood
Guild HM14 Shelf in Solid Oak by Hvidt
Mølgaard for &Tradition
Located in Dubai, AE
Extracting the essence of true craftsmanship, the Guild shelf was originally designed in 1954 for Peter Hvidt’s family home in Klampenborg. Subtly mirroring the curving paths of the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Adams Shelf Brackets, Gray
Located in Cincinnati, US
Simple yet elegant hairpin shelf bracket design that blends with both contemporary or rustic styles and it’s versatile to fit any room of the house. Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Steel
$104 / set
Adams Shelf Brackets, Red
Located in Cincinnati, US
Simple yet elegant hairpin shelf bracket design that blends with both contemporary or rustic styles and it’s versatile to fit any room of the house. Mad...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Steel
$104 / set
Pair of wall-mounted magazine racks attr. Steffen Syrach Larsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of wall-mounted magazine racks in rosewood and orange formica. Attr. Steffen Syrach Larsen / Gustav Bertelsen.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Formica, Rosewood
Östen Kristiansson Wall Cabinet Produced by Luxus in Vittsjö, Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare wall cabinet designed by Östen Kristiansson. Produced by Luxus in Vittsjö, Sweden.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
1897 Swedish Folk Art Wall Cabinet – Designed for A. Lagerberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Painted wood and handcrafted iron.
Measures: H 150 cm/ 4' 11 3/4''
W 90 cm/ 2' 12 1/4''
D 38,5 cm/ 15 1/4''
Presented at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1897.
Literature: Sven...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Cherry
1958 Danish Rosewood Cado Wall Unit by Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly versatile and functional wall unit in Brazilian rosewood by Danish designer Poul Cadovius. Wall unit is in excellent condition. Each support rail is 78" long and each cabinet ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
Price Upon Request
Scandinavian Modern shelves and wall cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern shelves and wall cabinets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage shelves and wall cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern shelves and wall cabinets made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original shelves and wall cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Lyon Beton, Frama, Poul Cadovius, and Alvar Aalto. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for shelves and wall cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $68 and tops out at $95,000 while the average work can sell for $1,990.
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