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Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

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 

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. 

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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Scandinavian Biomorphic Ceramic Vase in Green Glaze
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kristofle Handmade biomorphic vase in the style of Arne bang. Floral dekoration upon a cobra shaped body in earthy green and brown glazes. Signed to its side by the Scandinavian arti...
Category

1970s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Bronze Art Deco Vase by Sune Bäckström, Sweden, 1920s
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful bronze vase with amazing patina. Designed by Sune Bäckström in Malmoe, Sweden, 1920s. Great condition. Stamped 'BRONS', model number '9130' and signature 'Sune Bäckstr...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1956
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and beautiful stoneware vase with amazing hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1956. Excellent condition. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Christer Heijl, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white and green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Christer Heijl and produced by Töreboda Keramik, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed fluted earthenware vase, designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Estrid Ericson Pewter Bowl with lid adorned with a flower bud Svenskt Tenn, 1944
Located in Stockholm, SE
Estrid Ericso, pewter bowl with a lid adorned with a flower bud, manufactured by Svenskt Tenn, 1944. Estrid Ericson was involved in shaping the image of modern Swedish design during ...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Pewter

Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-glazed ceramic vase designed by Jerk Werkmäster and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Set of 3Small MidCentury Swedish Modern Collectible Brown&Blue Wavy Glazed Vases
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
1. Height 8 cm Width 5 cm Depth 5 cm 2. Height 7.5 cm Width 5 cm Depth 5 cm 3. Height 6 cm Width 5 cm Depth 5 cm This set of 3 miniature vases was designed by Gunnar Borg for ...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Gunnar Nylund, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Nylund and produced by Rörstrand, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A hand-painted white ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Erik Mornils, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Erik Mornils and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Set of two bronze vases by Kaj Blomqvist, Finland, 1960s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Brutalist bronze vases designed by Kaj Blomqvist. Produced in Finland by Rakennusvaline during the 1960s. Made from solid cast bronze. Partly polished. Very good vintage condition w...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden. Ceramic vase in modernist style.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mari Simmulson (1911-2000) for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden. Ceramic vase in modernist style. Approximately 1960. Marked. In perfect condition. Dimensions: Height 15.5 cm x Diameter 11.5 cm...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable green-glazed vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed fluted earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Bo Fajans, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A grey-glazed incised ceramic vase designed and produced by Bo Fajans, Gefle, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Bronze Art Deco Vase by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful bronze vase with amazing patina. Made by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s. Excellent condition. Stamped 'BRONS' and makers mark.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

Gustavsberg, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Bronze Art Deco Vase by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful bronze vase with amazing patina. Made by GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Sweden, 1930s. Excellent condition. Stamped 'BRONS' and makers mark.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed ceramic vase designed by Jerk Werkmäster and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 4 Small MidCentury Scandinavian Modern Collectible Brown Stoneware Vases
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
1. Height 8 cm Width 5 cm Depth 5 cm 2. Height 7.5 cm Width 5 cm Depth 5 cm 3. Height 6 cm Width 2.5 cm Depth 2.5 cm 4. Height 4 cm Width 3 cm Depth 3 cm This set of 4 minia...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of Small Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Collectible Wenge Stoneware Vases
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
1. Height 8.5 cm Width 2.5 cm Depth 2.5 cm 2. Height 8 cm Width 2.5 cm Depth 2.5 cm This set of 2 miniature vases was designed by John Andersson for the Swedish manufacture Hög...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Karl Svensson Attribution, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase attributed to Karl Svensson for Höganäs, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Johansfors Glasbruk, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A green and clear blown glass vase produced by Johansfors Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Glass

Obo Malmö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Obo Malmö, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 4Small MidCentury Swedish Modern Collectible Brown&Purple Stoneware Vases
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
1. Height 8 cm Width 4 cm Depth 4 cm 2. Height 7 cm Width 4 cm Depth 4 cm 3. Height 7 cm Width 4 cm Depth 4 cm 4. Height 4 cm Width 3 cm Depth 3 cm This set of 4 miniature v...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Set of 3 Stoneware Vases by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Malmö, SE
A set of two beautiful stoneware vases and one bowl with amazing and rare glaze. Designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden, 1950s. Excellent condition. First sorting. Incise...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Höganäs Keramik, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Höganäs Keramik, Sweden, 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Börne Augustsson, Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A organic blue-colored blown glass vase designed by Börne Augustsson and produced by Åseda Glasbruk, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Blown Glass

Set of 2 Small Mid-Century Swedish Modern Collectible Pistachio Stoneware Vases
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
Height 7.5 cm Width 7.5 cm Depth 7.5 cm Height 7.5 cm Width 5 cm Depth 5 cm This set of 2 miniature vases was designed by Gunnar Borg for the Swedish manufacture Gunnars Keramik...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Karl Svensson Attribution, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase attributed to Karl Svensson for Höganäs, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Set of 4 Small Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Collectible Brown Stoneware Vases
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
1. Height 8.5 cm Width 5.5 cm Depth 5.5 cm 2. Height 6 cm Width 2 cm Depth 2 cm 3. Height 5.5 cm Width 2 cm Depth 2 cm 4. Height 4.5 cm Width 2.5 cm Depth 2.5 cm This set of...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Swedish Designer, Sizeable Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green and brown-glazed incised vase designed and produced in Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 4 Small Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Collectible Brown Stoneware Vases
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
1. Height 8 cm Width 5 cm Depth 5 cm 2. Height 5 cm Width 2.5 cm Depth 2.5 cm 3. Height 5 cm Width 2.5 cm Depth 2.5 cm 4. Height 4.5 cm Width 2.5 cm Depth 2.5 cm This set of...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Nittsjö, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Large Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1964
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and beautiful stoneware vase with amazing hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1964. Excellent condition. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Syco Keramik, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed and produced by Syco Keramik, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Jerk Werkmäster, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A green-glazed ceramic vase designed by Jerk Werkmäster and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, c. 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Large Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1963
Located in Malmö, SE
A large and beautiful stoneware vase with amazing hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1963. Excellent condition. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Upsala Ekeby, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige and green-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Vicke Lindstrand, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-glazed earthenware vase designed by Vicke Lindstrand designed by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels 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 vases and vessels created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, stoneware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern vases and vessels made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vases and vessels, popular names associated with this style include Rörstrand, Upsala Ekeby, Gunnar Nylund, and Gustavsberg. 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 vases and vessels differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $20,792 while the average work can sell for $1,103.

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