Scandinavian Modern Canapes
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
- Originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden and Finland
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus and modernism; 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.
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Walnut
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric, Rattan, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Rattan, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Beech
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Velvet, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Foam
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Foam
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Beech
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Wood
1980s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Wool, Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Bouclé, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Wool, Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric, Teak
1970s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Wood, Oak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Metal
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric, Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Oak, Walnut
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Wicker, Pine
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Wool, Upholstery, Oak, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Wool, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Wool, Cotton
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Cane, Teak
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Bouclé
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Bouclé, Wood
2010s Turkish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Foam, Hardwood, Bouclé, Upholstery
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Upholstery
1970s Italian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Rattan
1980s Spanish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Wool, Cotton
19th Century Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Upholstery, Down, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Wicker, Pine
1970s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Beech
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Sheepskin, Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Pine, Wool
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Oak, Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Leather, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Canvas, Pine
1950s Italian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Velvet
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Canapes
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech