Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
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.
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Iron
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Wood
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Oak
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Beech
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Wood
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Ash
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Rosewood
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Birch
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Sheepskin, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Beech
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Oak
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Birch
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé, Wood
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Mohair, Oak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wicker, Cane, Oak, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Beech, Oak
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Birch
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Birch
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Linen, Beech
1970s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Suede, Oak
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Beech
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Elm
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Cane, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wood, Alpaca
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Papercord, Pine
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery
2010s Australian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Beech
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Linen, Birch
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak
1970s Italian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Beech
2010s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Walnut, Leather, Fabric, Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Oak, Plywood
1940s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Cotton, Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Rosewood
1940s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Linen, Birch
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé, Oak
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Sheepskin, Wood
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Wool, Beech