Where to Get the Highest Prices for Your Mid-Century Danish Furniture Online
Mid-century modern Danish furniture by brands like Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, and Arne Jacobsen has become increasingly popular among collectors and interior design enthusiasts over the past decade. The minimalist teak designs from the 1950s-1960s are icons of the Scandinavian modern aesthetic that fits perfectly into 21st-century homes.
As more people discover these vintage furnishings, prices have steadily risen. For example, a rare “Swan” lounge chair by Arne Jacobsen is currently on sale for over $6,800 on one well-known vintage furniture platform, and record prices are frequently set for iconic pieces by the most famous designers.
But where can you sell Danish furniture to capitalize on this demand and get the best return on this trending design?
The best places to sell vintage Danish furniture are specialty auction houses and consignment platforms focused on Scandinavian design. Large marketplaces that specialize in buying and selling vintage home decor, such as 1stDibs, Charish, Panomo, and Ruby Lane, are some of the best places to sell vintage Danish furniture.
There are also a few other sites that specialize in vintage furniture, which we will go into more detail below, along with tips on how to optimize listings for maximum value, and the best practices for selling Danish antiques effectively online.
Where to Sell Online Danish Furniture
Selling on the right platform is essential to get fair market value for vintage Danish furniture. Here are the best options, along with tips for success on each:
1. Etsy
With over 60 million active global shoppers and sophisticated search capabilities, Etsy should be your first stop when selling collectible vintage or antique Danish furniture online. As the world’s premier handmade and vintage marketplace, Etsy attracts huge numbers of buyers actively searching for authentic mid-century and antique Danish pieces from renowned designers.
Creating detailed listings with Etsy’s polished templates is quick and easy. Be sure to include important keywords like the designer’s name, furniture type (e.g. teak cabinet), style (e.g. mid-century), and time period (e.g. 1960s) to optimize exposure in searches. Fill out as many item specifics as possible like wood type, dimensions, hardware details, maker’s marks, etc.
Etsy has by far the most demand for Danish furniture, so pricing competitively based on recent sold prices of comparable listings is key. Etsy handles payments and can automatically charge applicable taxes, plus has integrated shipping labels to simplify fulfilling orders.
2. 1stdibs
Where Etsy provides breadth of exposure, 1stdibs offers prestige. This leading high-end marketplace is where serious collectors and interior designers come to splurge on museum-quality furniture. While you’ll pay higher commission fees as a seller, 1stdibs attracts buyers ready to pay top dollar for investment-grade Danish antiques and vintage pieces.
On 1stdibs, you’ll be able to justify premium pricing by emphasizing details like “mint condition,” designer labels, rare woods, or distinguished provenance. Work directly with 1stdibs specialists to list each piece professionally. Everything sold on 1stdibs must pass a strict vetting process, so showcase your items attractively to meet these standards.
3. Chairish
Straddling Etsy’s mass appeal and 1stdibs prestige is Chairish, which brings together design aficionados seeking stylish secondhand furniture. While pricing remains reasonable for buyers, sellers earn more than on mainstream platforms. Midcentury Danish pieces are perpetually popular on Chairish.
Optimizing your Chairish listings will maximize interest and sale prices. Use specific, descriptive titles like “Vintage 1960s Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair for Carl Hansen.” Fill out key details on materials, condition, dimensions, damage/repairs, and designer background. Shoot photos in natural light against clean backdrops to impress buyers.
4. Pamono
Catering to European clientele, Pamono connects continental buyers and sellers of modern collectible design, with a dedicated following of mid-century Danish furniture devotees. List accurately with all available manufacturer details, dimensions, materials, age, condition notes, and designer background.
As a European platform, Pamono expects sellers to use the metric system. Leaving measurements vague or showing wear and damage not described may lead to returns. Take advantage of integrated international shipping and customs services through Pamono’s Global Logistics to simplify exporting sold pieces.
5. Ruby Lane
For over 20 years, Ruby Lane has been attracting passionate collectors of antique, vintage, and retro furnishings. Mid-century Danish pieces are consistently in-demand in Ruby Lane’s vibrant community of over 1.5 million monthly shoppers. This is a seller-centric platform, ideal for creating a full online Danish furniture boutique.
Group your Danish pieces attractively by designer, style, or time period. Ruby Lane has optional storefront branding services to polish your presentation and SEO. Make the most of Ruby Lane’s high traffic by spotlighting rare, unusual, or hand signed Danish pieces likely to attract serious collector bids.
6. Sotheby’s
Following its acquisition ofCollectrium in 2021, the auction giant Sotheby’s now sells mid-century and antique furniture directly through branded online listings. If you have an exceedingly rare or important Danish piece, consider listing with Sotheby’s global specialists to access ultra-high-net-worth buyers around the world.
Sotheby’s can accurately appraise and authenticate iconic Danish designs to estimate presale value, which regularly reaches five to six figures for classics. Arrange professional photography to best showcase special details. With Sotheby’s handling marketing and fulfillment, relax knowing your treasured Danish furniture is presented optimally to qualified buyers.
7. Hunt Vintage
For personalized service listing mid-century modern furnishings, boutique marketplace Hunt Vintage is worth a look. Specializing in MCM pieces, Hunt Vintage attracts an educated audience who recognize and value Danish designs from acclaimed makers like Hans Wegner and Finn Juhl.
As a smaller, tightly curated site, you’ll benefit from attentive customer service assisting with listings optimized to sell. For important Danish items, consider paying for Valuations from Hunt’s experts to certify authenticity and maximize perceived value. Reasonable listing rates make Hunt Vintage accessible for casual sellers.
8. Danish Furniture Colorado
For hands-off consignment of your vintage Danish pieces, Danish Furniture Colorado is worth exploring. This Denver-based retailer sells curated selections of authentic Scandinavian modern furniture locally and ships nationwide. Consignment removes hassles, letting them handle marketing, sales, and shipping in exchange for a 20% commission.
While local in-person shoppers will discover your consigned furniture, most sales ship directly from their warehouse. This hybrid model expands your exposure beyond Colorado. For rare finds likely to excite bidding wars, ask about auction consignment options to maximize profits.
9. Sweet Modern
Located in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles, Sweet Modern is a charming shop specializing in midcentury vintage furniture personally selected by the passionate owner. Consigning here exposes your Danish pieces to local design mavens and national buyers through Sweet Modern’s website and listings on Chairish, Etsy, and other platforms.
Expect white-glove service suited to fine collectibles, with the option of up to 85% sales proceeds minus their 15% listing fee. For rare, investment-grade Danish furniture, Sweet Modern’s personalized approach can yield outstanding results.
10. LiveAuctioneers
One of the world’s leading online auction marketplaces, LiveAuctioneers connects consignors with vetted auction houses to list collectibles and antiques in timed auction events. Select an established auction house specializing in vintage furnishings to auction your most valuable Danish furniture.
Pre-auction appraisal and valuation services through LiveAuctioneers will estimate optimal reserve pricing. You’ll benefit from the auction format to incentivize competitive bidding, plus access LiveAuctioneers’ database of over 2 million registered buyers to maximize global participation. Pay close attention to auction terms around commissions and fees.
11. Invaluable
A major online auction platform, Invaluable has over 5,000 auction house partners globally hosting sales in over 60 collecting categories. For prized Danish furnishings potentially worth thousands, connect with regional auctioneers through Invaluable to arrange timed auction events marketed to dedicated buyers.
Look for auction houses experienced with mid-century furnishings to accurately appraise your pieces pre-auction. Invaluable’s website generates bidding interest, plus pieces can be listed on AuctionZip and LiveAuctioneers to expand reach. Be sure to vet reserves, estimates, and total buyer’s premiums.
12. AuctionZip
With around 30 million searches annually, AuctionZip is a respected resource connecting sellers with qualified auction houses. Consigning your Danish furniture through AuctionZip opens access to over 1,000 auctioneers nationwide specialized in antiques and art.
Focus on auction houses with experience selling mid-century furnishings. AuctionZip’s services include estimated value guidance and auction promotion to generate competitive bidding. For the widest bidder participation, cross-list important Danish pieces on Invaluable and LiveAuctioneers as well.
Related articles:
- 10 Best Vintage Danish Furniture Brands of the 1960s and 1970s
- How to Identify Scandinavian Furniture
- 20 Best Mid-Century Modern Furniture Brands
Best Practices for Listing and Selling Danish Furniture Online
Follow these top tips to create effective listings and sell Danish modern furnishings successfully:
Photography
Great photos are critical! Capture multiple full room shots and detailed close-ups from all angles in good natural lighting against neutral backdrops.
Show dimensions, joinery details, markings and any minor imperfections. Photograph any accompanying manuals, parts or hardware. Use photo editing software to optimize lighting and color.
Descriptions
Include measurements, designer info, materials, date of production, markings, patent numbers and restoration details.
Note condition flaws truthfully. Mention rare attributes potential buyers would care about. Research the backstory and provenance if known.
Shipping and Pickup
For small items, USPS parcel shipping works well. For large pieces, offer buyer-arranged pickup or use specialized art shippers like UShip. Get shipping quotes and note policies.
For pickup, specify if help is needed loading large furniture into a truck. Provide height restrictions and parking information if relevant.
Screening Buyers
Review buyer ratings on the platform, and only accept offers from those with strong payment histories. Confirm full name, contact info and intent for commercial buyers.
Ask questions to vet buyers for high-value items. Require deposits on very expensive pieces.
Payments
Accept secure payment methods like PayPal Goods and Services, credit cards or wire transfers. Avoid risky payments like direct bank transfers. Require payment within 3-5 days of sale.
Customer Service
Communicate shipment tracking and pickup instructions promptly. Accept returns if the item grossly misrepresented. Aiming for 5-star feedback builds selling reputation.
Pack items very securely and include assembly instructions if relevant. Follow up to confirm buyer received the item and are satisfied.
Following these best practices helps ensure a smooth transaction, and maximizes profits when selling vintage Scandinavian pieces online.
Why Danish Mid-Century Furniture is So Valuable
Danish furniture from the 1950s-60s embodies the creative spirit and master craftsmanship of the mid-century era. Here are some of the reasons it has become so coveted today:
High-Quality Materials and Construction
- Many Danish designers preferred teak wood, which has a beautiful grain and ages well. Teak’s natural oils also make it resistant to water, rot, and bugs. Other quality woods like rosewood and oak were also frequently used.
- Mortise and tenon joinery created sturdy, long-lasting construction. Interlocking joints were precisely cut to form solid connections without needing nails or glue. This type of joinery requires great skill but the result is extremely durable furniture.
- Drawers were made using dovetail joints which interlock drawer sides to front panels in a strong, personalized way based on the wood grain. Dovetails are a hallmark of quality craftsmanship.
- Danish furniture focused on ergonomic comfort and minimal, functionalist design. Pieces were made to last for generations rather than be disposable.
Iconic Designers and Brands
Some of the most influential furniture designers worked in Denmark during the mid-20th century. They include:
- Hans Wegner – His iconic chairs are some of the most sought-after including the “Wishbone Chair”, “Peacock Chair”, and “Round Chair”. He created over 500 chair designs in his lifetime. Other creations include sofas, coffee and dining tables.
- Finn Juhl – Known for sculptural wooden forms like the “Chieftain” chair. He designed interiors including the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the United Nations. He won numerous awards and influenced many later designers.
- Arne Jacobsen – Famous for chair designs like “The Ant”, “The Egg”, “The Swan” and minimalist sofas and tables. He also designed unique chairs specifically for Danish institutions that were both aesthetic and functional.
- Børge Mogensen – Designed clean, functionalist pieces for major Danish firms like Fredericia Stolefabrik. Known for sofa beds, dining sets and sideboards. His motto was “What is good furniture” focusing on practicality and simplicity.
Some other popular vintage Danish furniture brands besides individual designers include DUX, Fritz Hansen and Fredericia. Companies like these manufactured iconic pieces according to the famous designers’ plans.
Popularity of Mid-Century Modern Style
The minimalist Danish modern aesthetic fits in perfectly with current interior design trends by blending simplicity, functionality, and elegance. Danish furniture’s timeless appeal makes vintage Scandinavian pieces very sought-after compared to furnishings from other eras.
The nostalgia factor and hunt for hidden gems at flea markets also contribute to the popularity. Owning an authentic, well-crafted mid-century piece connects us to the innovative period while complementing modern decor. The unique personalities and craftsmanship of each Danish designer shine through.
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Pricing Considerations for Danish Furniture
When selling vintage Danish pieces online, being realistic about pricing based on overall condition and rarity is important to attract buyers. Here are some factors that impact value:
- Is it a rare designer piece vs. a more common production model? Iconic chairs or custom pieces go for higher prices. A prototype or limited production run also adds value.
- What is the condition? Minor wear vs. damage can significantly affect price. Are all original parts present or are replacements needed? Completeness is key.
- Are there markings, stamps, or labels verifying the manufacturer? This boosts provenance. Markings like a manufacturer’s stamp help authenticate the piece.
- Quality of materials and construction. Teak or rosewood are superior to oak or walnut. Dovetail joinery signals higher quality than other joinery. Handcrafted pieces are worth more than mass-produced.
- Size and weight. Larger showstopper items or full dining sets command higher pricing than smaller accessories. Oversize items incur greater shipping costs too.
For general reference, here are typical price ranges for popular Danish furniture in excellent, fully restored condition:
- Iconic rosewood or teak lounge chair (e.g. Egg or Swan) – $4,000-$12,000+
- 8-10 seat teak dining table with chairs – $5,000-$10,000
- Large teak credenza or cabinet – $3,000-$5,000
- Ole Wanscher teak desk – $5,000-$20,000
- Small end table or nightstand – $500-$2,000
However, condition issues, damage or lack of markings can dramatically reduce potential pricing for vintage pieces. Checking completed auction listings for comparable items is the best way to accurately gauge market value based on the specifics of your piece.
