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Scandinavian Modern Easy Chair by Eva & Nils Koppel, Denmark, 1950s
By Eva & Niels Koppel
Located in Odense, DK
Rare easy chair by Danish architects Eva & Nils Koppel made in the early 1950s and manufactured by
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Beech

Scandinavian modern easy chairs by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs, Finland, 1950s
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Rare pair of easy chairs designed by Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs and produced by Puunveisto, Finland
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wool, Ash

Scandinavian Modern Easy Chair G by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen, 1973
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Verner Panton "Easy Chair G" designed in 1973 and produced by Fritz Hansen. An iconic model by
Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Scandinavian Modern Easy Chair, Model 118, in Teak by Grete Jalk, France and Son
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in Lejre, DK
Easy chair, model 118, in teak and black elegance leather designed by Grete Jalk and manufactured
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak, Leather

Pair of Scandinavian Easy Chairs with Teak and Leather by Westnofa, 1960s
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Beautiful "Scandinavian Modern" easy chairs, by Westnofa, made in the 1960s. The chairs are made
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Mirja Dux Easy Chair Cognac Colored Leather Cushions Scandinavian Modern 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Mirja Scandinavian modern easy chair/ lounge chair manufactured by Dux of Sweden The chair has a
Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Carl Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs Pair of Leaf Easychairs Chairs Finland
By Puunveisto OY, Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Rare pair of Scandinavian modern easy chairs, model “Lehti” (leaf) designed by Carl Gustaf Hiort af
Category

20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Scandinavian Modern Fritz Hansen Easy Chair Green Mohair Velvet fabric, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern easy chair made in Denmark in the 1940s and attributed to Fritz
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Beech

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Lounge Chair
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful 1960's scandinavian modern easy chair in afromasia teak recently imported from
Category

Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak

Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Lounge Chair for Dux. Mocha Colored Leather Sweden 1970s
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Scandinavian modern easy chair/ lounge chair model Pernilla manufactured by Dux of Sweden. Designed
Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Beech

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Lounge Chair by Dux of Sweden
By Dux of Sweden
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a rare and beautiful Scandinavian modern easy chair in teak manufactured by Dux in Sweden
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair in the Manner of Folke Ohlsson
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful Scandinavian modern easy chair in walnut color stained birch wood manufactured
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair "Pj112" by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is beautiful set of two Scandinavian Modern easy chair Model PJ112 in mahogany designed by
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair "Pj112" by Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is beautiful set of two Scandinavian Modern easy chair Model PJ112 in mahogany designed by
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Lounge Chair by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern easy chair in teak Model KK161 designed by Kai Kristiansen
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak

Pair of Vintage Danish Mid Century Teak Lounge Chairs by Svend Aage Eriksen
By Svend Åge Eriksen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful set of two Scandinavian modern easy chairs in teak "Model GM5" designed by
Category

Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Grete Jalk
By Grete Jalk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful Scandinavian modern easy chair in solid teak designed by Grete Jalk and
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak

Carl-Johan Boman Rare Pair of Ivory Velvet Tufted Easy Chairs, Finland, 1940s
By Carl-Johan Boman
Located in New York, NY
classic Scandinavian Modern easy chair form including beautiful curved backs extending gently into curved
Category

Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Maple, Velvet

Scandinavian Easy Chair, 1930's
Located in Hudson, NY
1930's large Scandinavian lounge chair new fabric upholstery. Beach wood legs spring system on the
Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Scandinavian Easy Chair, 1930's
Scandinavian Easy Chair, 1930's
H 37.5 in W 33.5 in D 35.5 in
Scandinavian 1930's Easy Chair
Located in Hudson, NY
1930's Large Scandinavian lounge chair new fabric upholstery. Beach wood legs spring system on the
Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Scandinavian 1930's Easy Chair
Scandinavian 1930's Easy Chair
H 37.5 in W 32 in D 38 in
Scandinavian Modern Flemming Lassen Boucle Easy Chair, 1940s, Denmark
By Flemming Lassen
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful voluminous easy chair attributed to Flemming Lassen made in the 1940s, Denmark. Legs in
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Beech

Scandinavian Modern Ari Easy Chair Arne Norell AB Sweden
By Arne Norell
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This classic lounge designed by Arne Norell for Arne Norell AB Sweden is crafted from a chromed steel frame and boasts new high quality upholstery in Italian leather by Studio Art. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Scandinavian Modern Swedish White Sheepskin Easy Chair Attributed to Arne Norell
By Arne Norell
Located in Kramfors, SE
Scandinavian modern sheepskin chair from the mid-20th century attributed to Arne Norell, Sweden
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin

Scandinavian Modern Sheepskin and Peartree Easy Chairs by Rolf Engströmer, 1934
By Rolf Engströmer
Located in Odense, DK
Stunning and important set of easy chairs made in 1934 by Rolf Engströmer. This is a unique pair
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Pearwood

Scandinavian Modern Corona Easy Chair, Model EJ 5, by Poul M. Volther
By Erik Jørgensen, Poul Volther
Located in Lejre, DK
Corona easy chair, model EJ 5, designed by Poul M. Volther in 1964 and manufactured at Erik
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

1970s Pair of Easy Chairs and Footstools, Scandinavian
By Elsa and Nordahl Solheim
Located in London, GB
Attributed to Elsa and Nordahl Solheim, for Rykkn, Norway. An extremely comfortable pair of easy
Category

Vintage 1970s European Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Scandinavian Mid-Century Pair of Easy Chairs, Scandinavia ca 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of easy chairs is exemplary of the main ideals of mid-century modernism: the chairs are
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Wool

Scandinavian Modern Duxello Lounge Easy Chair for DUX by Folke Ohlsson in Sherpa
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Scandinavian Modern Duxello lounge easy Chair for DUX by Folke Ohlsson in sherpa. Very comfortable
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Hardwood, Lacquer

Scandinavian Modern Teak Easy Chair with Stool, by Jørgen Bækmark and FDB, 1960s
By FDB Møbler, Jørgen Bækmark
Located in Lejre, DK
Easy chair, model 65 23, with stool, model 64 23, upholstered with black classic leather and frame
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Swedish Modern Easy Chair, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful Swedish Modern easy chair, with bold flowing lines. Original coral pink velvet upholstery.
Category

Vintage 1930s Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood

Swedish Modern Easy Chair, Sweden, 1930s
Swedish Modern Easy Chair, Sweden, 1930s
H 37.41 in W 29.14 in D 28.35 in
Danish Modern Black Leather Easy Chair
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Leather Danish modern easy chair, circa 1960's. Clean modern lines with contrasting oak legs
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

PK-22 Easy Chair by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, Scandinavian Modern, 1980's
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scandinavian modern; Denmark; PK-22 Easy Chair; Loung chair; Poul Kjærholm; Fritz Hansen; Rattan
Category

Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair Swedish Modern Easy Chairs, 1940s
By Gösta Jonsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent condition. Newly reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin.
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin

Pair Swedish Modern Easy Chairs, 1940s
Pair Swedish Modern Easy Chairs, 1940s
H 37.8 in W 27.56 in D 33.86 in
Hans J Wegner, CH25 Easy Chair, Carl Hansen & Son, Scandinavian Modern /Mid1900s
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Stockholm, SE
Iconic CH25 chair in oak and cord designed by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, Denmark
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Cord, Oak

Aluminium Easy Chair
By Mats Theselius, Källemo
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mats Theselius designed the Aluminum armchair in 1990. Today it belongs to the real Swedish classics and is used extensively both in homes and in the public environment. Manufactured...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Foam

Aluminium Easy Chair
Aluminium Easy Chair
H 27.56 in W 23.63 in D 24.41 in
Easy Chair
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare easy chair by unknown designer.
Category

Vintage 1960s European Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Easy Chair
Easy Chair
H 28.15 in W 22.05 in D 20.87 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Walnut Easy Chair
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Walnut Danish easy chair circa 1970's. Clean modern solid wood frame with lovely grain patterns
Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Ultrasuede, Walnut

Gösta Jonsson Easy Chair
By Gösta Jonsson
Located in London, England
Gösta Jonsson easy chair Produced in Jönköping, Sweden.
Category

Vintage 1940s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Sheepskin, Beech

Gösta Jonsson Easy Chair
Gösta Jonsson Easy Chair
H 26.78 in W 30.71 in D 31.5 in
Scandinavian-Modern Swivel Chairs, Sweden, C. 1950s
Located in Westport, CT
Stunning pair of Scandinavian Modern swivel chairs, originating from Sweden and crafted in the
Category

Mid-20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Swedish Easy Chair, 1960s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Stockholm, SE
Most likely produced in Sweden, 1960s. Strong and thick cognac brown leather.
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Swedish Easy Chair, 1960s
Swedish Easy Chair, 1960s
H 32.49 in W 27.17 in D 25.6 in
Scandinavian Modern "Clam Chair" Attributed to Arnold Madsen, 1940s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Rare easy chair (also known as Clam Chair) Attributed to Arnold Madsen for Madsen & Schubell in
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fur

Yngve Ekstrom Classic Modern Lamino Chair Swedish Easy Chair 1956
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Lamino Lounge Chair 1960s Yngve Ekstrom, Lamino Chair for SWEDESE Lamino easy chair is a classic
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Suede, Teak

Scandinavian Easy Chairs by Finn Juhl, Mod. 112 France & Søn Denmark 60s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Rare easy chairs by Finn Juhl. Teak frame, newly upholstered and covered with fabric from "Kvadrat
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Teak

Scandinavian Modern Carl-Gustaf Hjort Af Ornäs Trienna Lounge Chair
By Carl Gustaf Hjort, Puunveisto OY
Located in Kramfors, SE
Easy chair Trienna by Carl-Gustaf Hjort af Ornäs. The model is called Trienna and is made by Hiort
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Pair of Scandinavian Scandia Easy Chairs by Hans Brattrud for Fjordfiesta, 2000s
By Fjord Fiesta
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
An elegant and modern Scandia lounge chairs. This model was designed by Hans Brattrud in 1957. This
Category

Early 2000s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Scandinavian Kengu Easy Chair in Brown Leather by Solheim for Rykken, Norway
By Elsa and Nordahl Solheim, Rybo Rykken
Located in Halle, DE
Kengu lounge chair by Elsa and Nordahl Solheim. Manufactured by Rybo Rykken & Co., Norway, 1970s
Category

Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

Pair Scandinavian Kengu Easy Chairs in Brown Leather by Solheim for Rykken
By Rybo Rykken, Elsa and Nordahl Solheim
Located in Halle, DE
Pair (2) Kengu Lounge Chairs with high backrest by Elsa and Nordahl Solheim. Manufactured by Rybo
Category

Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

Scandinavian Midcentury Easy Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX, 1950's
By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful very sculptural chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for Dux Mobler of Sweden. The model is
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Wool

Bridland Easy Chair, Limited Edition
By Mats Theselius, Källemo
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Frame in birch, milled and chromed steel details, armrests in Corian, Tärnsjö leather. Frame in stainless steel, chromed frame and milled fittings, corian armrest, leather Indian re...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Bridland Easy Chair, Limited Edition
Bridland Easy Chair, Limited Edition
H 27.17 in W 23.23 in D 29.14 in
1950s Vintage Bruno Mathsson Easy Chair
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Among the earliest of Bruno Mathsson's designs is this rare model 36 easy chair upholstered with a
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech

1950s Vintage Bruno Mathsson Easy Chair
1950s Vintage Bruno Mathsson Easy Chair
H 30.32 in W 20.48 in D 40.56 in
1930s Danish modern Easy Chair reupholstered in Premium beige Mohair
By Viggo Boesen
Located in København K, 84
1930s Danish modern easy chair reupholstered in exquisite premium beige mohair and nut brown
Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mohair

Pair of Scandinavian Easy Chairs in Rosewood and Leather by Sven Ivar Dysthe
By Dokka Mobler, Sven Ivar Dysthe
Located in Karlstad, SE
A pair of high-quality chairs by Norwegian icon Sven Ivar Dysthe. The chairs feature beautifully
Category

20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Scandinavian Mid-Century Easy Chair by Fredrik Kayser in Teak 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in St-Brais, JU
Rare Easy Chair Model 563, designed by Frederik Kayser for Vatne in Norway in the 1950s. Restored
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

Scandinavian Easy Chairs "Böja" by Carl-Erik Johansson for Bejra Möbel
By Carl-Erik Johansson, Bejra 1
Located in Karlstad, SE
The "Böja" lounge chair was designed in 1964 by Carl-Erik Johansson for Bejra Mo¨bel AB. It was
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Teak

Bruno Mathsson, "Eva" Easy Chair, 1968
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Bruno Mathsson 1907-1988. Armchair. Company Karl Mathsson, Värnamo 1968. Stamped. Frame in layer-glued birch and beech with braided leather upholstery. H 84 cm. The model designed...
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Birch

Bruno Mathsson, "Eva" Easy Chair, 1968
Bruno Mathsson, "Eva" Easy Chair, 1968
H 33.08 in W 19.3 in D 24.81 in
Mid-Century modern scandinavian chair Folding MK16 by Mogens Koch. New product.
By GETAMA, Mogens Koch
Located in Courbevoie, FR
, reinterpreting the traditional folding stool by pairing easy folding and storage functionality with modern
Category

2010s European Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chair Folding MK16 by Mogens Koch, New Product
By GETAMA, Mogens Koch
Located in Courbevoie, FR
, reinterpreting the traditional folding stool by pairing easy folding and storage functionality with modern
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Easy Chair Produced in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare wingback easy chair by unknown designer. Produced in Denmark.
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Suede, Rosewood

Easy Chair Produced in Denmark
Easy Chair Produced in Denmark
H 34.65 in W 33.47 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Easy Chair with Flagline Seat & Back, Danish Cabinetmaker
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Odense, DK
A unique easy chair made in solid beech. Originally upholstered with canvas but we gave the piece a
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Papercord, Beech

Fritz Hansen Danish Modern Easy Chair in Leather and Beech, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful authentic Danish Modern easy chair made and designed in the 1940s at Fritz Hansen & Co
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather

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Scandinavian Modern Easy Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the Scandinavian modern easy chair you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, animal skin and leather, every Scandinavian modern easy chair was constructed with great care. There are 1302 variations of the antique or vintage Scandinavian modern easy chair you’re looking for, while we also have 12 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect Scandinavian modern easy chair — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A Scandinavian modern easy chair, designed in the Scandinavian Modern or Mid-Century Modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. A well-made Scandinavian modern easy chair has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Arne Norell, Hans J. Wegner and Fritz Hansen are consistently popular.

How Much is a Scandinavian Modern Easy Chair?

A Scandinavian modern easy chair can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $6,149, while the lowest priced sells for $613 and the highest can go for as much as $104,400.

A Close Look at Scandinavian Modern Furniture

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 

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

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. 

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.