Danish Modern Furniture

Scandanavian design had its great period between 1925 and 1975, hence the name Danish Modern. After World War II, Scandanavia became synonymous with the forward thinking aspects of postwar design and craft that emanated from these Northern countries; suddenly, Danish Modern became an exportable commodity. In contrast to the severity and utilitarianism of design inspired from the theories of Bauhaus, Scandanavian designers proposed a greater emphasis on natural materials and organic shapes. In this way the geometric lines and hard contours gave way to softer and more irregular biomorphic shapes in Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Instead of steel and glass, plywood (generally a light color) was used as raw material which provided suggestive shapes that adapted better to the human body. To the delight of domestic connoisseurs, architects and manufacturers entered into a unique and rewarding collaboration during this period of design; this in turn raised the standards, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Noteworthy names associated with Danish Modern include but are not limited to: Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Hans J. Wegner, Kaare Klint, Poul Henningsen and Verner Panton.