(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 
 

21 
www.japmnt.com 

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTIQUE FURNITURE WITH REGARD 

TO THE SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN 

Petar Namicev,1 Emilija Shopova2 

1,2 University Goce Delcev Shtip, Republic of Macedonia 

petar.namicev@ugd.edu.mk, emeshopova@gmail.com 

 

Original Scientific Paper 

doi:10.5937/jouproman6-17224  

 

Abstract: The style and design, as an artistic 

expression of its creators, existed in the ancient 

period, as evidenced by the numerous 

representative, authentic and unique works. 

Confirmation of the connection of styles, and the 

non existence of a clear border between them, is 

exactly the connection of the antique furniture to 

the Scandinavian one. The Scandinavian design, 

driven by the correlation with nature and the need 

for durable, simple, functional, yet perfect furniture 

pieces, finds its connection to the ancient design 

and its unique historical values. 

Today's modern Scandinavian style, as a design of 

the 20th century, carries numerous antique 

elements and peculiarities. Based on a detailed 

analysis of the characteristics of both styles 

separately and their individual elements, as well as 

their comparison, we can see the correlation 

between them and the direction in which they 

move. 

Keywords: armchair, stool, chair, shape, design, 

color 

Introduction: 

The editing and the design, which is 

present today through different styles and 

forms, is a result of its centuries-old 

influence, development and change. It is 

difficult to distinguish innovations and 

modifications from the factors that shape 

them. Even within those trends, which 

claim to be without previous influence, 

there is some basis on the experience and 

technology of the previous generations. 

Some of the most important and influential 

architectural designs come from classical 

Greece, ancient Rome, the Middle Ages 

and the Italian Renaissance (Nelson and 

Taylor, 2012) 

The historical styles are identified by 

exploring their architectural details. 

The antiquity, as a historical period and 

also an artistic direction and style that 

went through history and civilization, has 

left visible historical and authentic pieces 

of furniture, which today represent the 

inspiration of numerous designers. The 

most distinctive application of this style, 

through certain aspects, can be recognized 

in the Scandinavian furniture design. The 

presence of durable, unique and functional 

pieces of furniture as part of the home 

interior of the Scandinavian design 

signifies the connection of the form with 

antiquity. By analyzing the characteristics 

of both designs and distinctive pieces of 

furniture and their comparison, the 

connection between the ancient and 

Scandinavian designs will be defined. 

1. Antique furniture 

The ancient period, as the beginning of 

civilization and culture, is an exceptional 

period of stylistic expression and creation. 

During this period, complex and highly 

decorative structures were intended solely 

to the rulers or to glorify the gods, while 

the paintings, sculptures and other objects 

were created for the purpose of fulfilling 

various functions (Wilkins, Schultz, Linda, 

2009). 

http://www.japmnt.com/
mailto:petar.namicev@ugd.edu.mk
mailto:emeshopova@gmail.com
http://dx.doi.org/10.5937%2Fjouproman6-17224


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 

22 
www.japmnt.com 

Although preserved only in fragments, 

there are many artifacts and unique 

archaeological specimens, which are an 

evidence of the existence and stylistic 

definition of the antique furniture. The 

furniture and other pieces of art were made 

from a wide range of durable materials, 

ranging from plain lime, to the most 

precious metals and valuables (Ajzenberg, 

2009). During this period, most pieces 

were made at the request of the patrons. 

The role of rulers in ordering works of art 

was an expression of the strengthening of 

his regime and the presentation of his 

wealth, as well as the benevolence. For 

example, through Greek furniture, the 

individuality and the personal style of the 

artist is emphasized. 

1.1. Egypt 

Ancient Egypt is the first distinctive style 

in the world architecture and furniture, 

which is a forerunner to the entire world 

civilization, and as such exists and 

evolves, in the next millennium. Here, the 

architectural works served to worship the 

Pharaohs. The Egyptian furniture, retained 

at the pharaohs' funerals, was made mostly 

of wood. For example, the Tutankhamen 

tomb from the 14th century BC was filled 

with many representative samples. 

Egyptian furniture is characterized by 

geometric shapes with strict symmetry. 

The simple chairs with curly elements that 

had legs in the shape of the mammals’ 

hooks or ended with a duck head, while 

the seat was made of wood with an 

imitation of leopard skin. The chairs laid 

on supports that showed the lion's paws 

with ivory nails. The surface of the seat 

was made of knitted cane, leather belts and 

several boards. The backrest was inclined 

backward to make it more comfortable 

sitting. In addition, decorative winged 

discs of gold were mounted, which were 

made for corner reinforcement of the 

furniture, as well as the heads of 

connecting nails. The construction of the 

chairs was exceptionally refined and 

unique. The low chairs were made of 

gilded wood with dark blue faience, 

intended for the throne, for the feet of the 

ruler. Also, there were stools with skeleton 

of whole elephant teeth (Pisareva, 2002). 

 

Fig.1. Characteristic Egyptian stool 

The armrests and the thrones had 

decorated backrests with a relief thread, 

and precious metal and enameled color 

were applied as decoration. For example, 

on the throne of Tutankhamen metal is 

found for the application of the golden sun 

- the sign of the god Amon Ra. 

The masses of this period had a form of a 

mast (towers) with a typical Egyptian 

expression. 

The beds were made of ebony, son 

malachite and ivory. 

There was an Egyptian custom for the 

presence of boards at the feet of man. 

Usually it was coated with a gold coating, 

or silhouettes of domestic gods were cut 

out on it. The lying surface - knitted 

mattresses or a rope network - fastened to 

the frame of the bed, which was twisted in 

the middle. There was also a bed with 

sides, which hung with hooks to the frame 

of the bed (Knežević, 2012). 

Among the most distinctive pieces of 

furniture, from this period is the 

Tutankhamen throne, made of gold, silver, 

glass in color and glazed ceramic, coated 

with calcite. It was 1.14 m high. The very 

top of the throne represented the defeated 

enemies (Nelson and Taylor, 2012). 

http://www.japmnt.com/


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 
 

23 
www.japmnt.com 

 

Fig.2. Tutankhamun's armchair, Egyptian Museum, 

Cairo 

To summarize, the Egyptian 

furniture was most often made of wood, by 

applying ornaments and decorations of 

gold, silver, malachite and other valuables. 

The shape of the furniture most often 

followed and imitated the shape of some 

animals, retaining all the features and 

accessories in the form of an overcrowded 

decoration.

 

1.2. Ancient Greece 

The Egyptian style, as the first 

significant style in the world architecture 

of the XXXII century BC was an 

inspiration to the later Greek design, which 

appears sometime around the 12th century 

BC. The ancient Greeks saw their teachers 

in the face of the Egyptians, which was 

also described in the Greek books 

themselves, and was also noticed in the 

detailed description of the ancient 

Egyptian masterpieces (Grozev and 

Tiholov, 1993). 

The main characteristic of the ancient 

Greek artistic style is the connection of 

simplicity, clear composition and 

proportionality between the form and 

construction, which leads to the attainment 

of excellence. The interior in this period is 

characterized by rigor and moderation. 

 

Greek furniture is mainly characterized by 

simplicity of construction and master-

made details. Its shape, with unusual grace 

on the line, reflects recognizable plasticity, 

practicality and excellence. This will 

influence later on the samples of ancient 

Rome and the classicism in France in the 

eighteenth century (Ajzinberg, 2009). 

The seating furniture has a rugged 

construction with an abundance of straight 

angles. 

It includes wide and comfortable seats, a 

semicircular backrest slope, made with 

mildly curved attachments. The shaping of 

the chair is influenced by the logic and 

tectonic clarity of the constructive basis. 

After 25 centuries, the pioneer of modern 

architecture, Ludwig van der Rohe, will be 

inspired by the pure proportions of ancient 

Greek works when creating its famous 

chair - the Barcelona capital. 

 

Fig.3. Klismos –Characteristic Greek group of 

furniture 

The tables in that period, are encountered 

in several varieties. In one variant, the 

circular surface stands on three carriers, in 

the form of muscular legs of coarse 

animals. The upper leg is decorated with 

acanthus petals. There is also a trapezoidal 

or rectangular dinner table, which was 

used by people who are eating around it. 

After the dinner was over, the table was 

put under the bed (Pisareva, 2002). 

The beds were multifunctional pieces, so 

they were used for sleeping, sitting or 

eating. 

http://www.japmnt.com/


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 

24 
www.japmnt.com 

 
Fig.4.High bed with table 

 

The Greek furniture, can be defined 

as simplified furniture, compared to the 

Egyptian, with the rules of simplicity, clear 

construction and proportionality 

prevailing. The Klismos furniture, 

tableware, and the appearance of 

multifunctional pieces of furniture are 

characteristic. 

 

1.3. Ancient Rome 

The ancient Roman art represents the final 

phase of the historical period of antiquity. 

As an heir to the culture and tradition of 

the earlier ancient civilizations, especially 

from Greece (especially in the part of 

plasticity, convenience and perfection of 

form), it includes exceptional diversity of 

both objects and furniture (Keller, 1975). 

The furniture of this period, the Romans 

made from wood, bronze, marble, even 

from willow rods. In general, Roman 

furniture is characterized by the 

gracefulness and elegance of the forms that 

are combined with small ornaments. They 

adapted the Greek designs to their needs, 

but contributed to the style with their own 

materials and unique engineering 

techniques. The overwhelming decoration 

was masked on the constructive parts of 

the furniture with sculptural rosettes, 

applications and similar details. 

The chair had a flat seat of metal or ivory, 

and the legs were twisted in the shape of 

"X". The armchair, known as sella curulis 

(Grozev and Tiholov, 1993), was designed 

exclusively for senior officials. Typical 

Roman furniture with a transfiguration 

from ancient Egypt is the chair with a 

backing, known as the master’s desk and 

curly chairs. The backrests had an 

anthropometric, twisted, comfortable 

shape. The legs are shaped like a lion's 

paw, while the armrests depict sphinxes, 

lions, griffins, and so on. In addition to the 

seating furniture, there is also immovable 

representative seating furniture, of white 

marble or bronze. There were also used 

Greek-type armchairs (without armrests) 

and Roman type - with armrests and 

shields instead of legs (Knežević, 2012). 

 

Fig.5. “Sella curulis“ armchair 

The tables had a rectangular and circular 

surface. The rectangular had dense vertical 

sides, covered with a strong relief 

decoration, while the surface was 

decorated with mosaics and stone plates. 

The circular, bronze tables were three 

legged and had legs on thin animal paws of 

a goat, a cat, and so on. A richly decorated 

frieze appears through the perimeter of the 

dense. 

 

Fig.6. Table with mosaic surface 

Beds resembled ancient Greek types. They 

were composed of a wooden frame in 

combination with ivory. 

http://www.japmnt.com/


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 
 

25 
www.japmnt.com 

 

Fig.7. Bed of bronze 

Roman furniture can be defined as a 

kind of imitation or inspiration of ancient 

Greek furniture, with a larger and richer 

choice of materials and engineering 

techniques. It is characterized by reduced 

application of details and occurrence of 

various types of furniture in several 

variants. 

2. Scandinavian design and furniture 

The Scandinavian design emerges and 

develops in the early years of the 20th 

century, ranging from the Scandinavian 

countries, and rapidly expanding across 

Europe and beyond. Although the 

Scandinavian design is always associated 

with minimalism, it is not realized to the 

extreme (Arnason, 2009). Regarding the 

interior, some of the basic rules of 

arrangement in the Scandinavian homes 

are: minimalism, combined with 

multifunctional pieces of furniture, 

daylight, spaciousness, elements of nature 

and a mix of textures. 

Scandinavian contemporary furniture is 

vintage wood furniture, which definitely 

has its roots in the past centuries. Furniture 

reflects a new perception, with a great 

style, modeling the best of the past, in 

many more modern furniture designs 

(Fiell, 2014). Nordic designers use 

traditional craftsmanship, thanks to their 

valuation of traditional crafts, for the 

purpose of developing modern pieces of 

furniture, which are characterized by 

exceptional beauty, functionality and 

practicality. One of the basic 

characteristics of Scandinavian furniture is 

the use of natural materials, such as teak 

wood and rich skin. 

The furniture is characterized by clean and 

smooth edges - complete shutdown and 

reduction of glamour design, asymmetry - 

in shortening, form or assembly and a 

unique combination of materials - wood 

with glass, leather, stone, chrome. The 

basic technique of making furniture is the 

technique of folding the wood. Mainly, the 

furniture consists of a structure made of 

twisted wood or chipboard, mostly 

wooden frames, the use of as few materials 

as possible and the reduced use of 

upholstered elements (Raiceva, 1999). 

 

Fig.8. Model no.881 cabinet-on-stand – Josef 

Frank, 1938 

Recognizable Scandinavian pieces of 

furniture are wooden chairs with a seat 

made of molded plywood and rear parts 

with a lightweight construction that 

eminently corresponds to high volume 

production and innovative armchairs with 

fully upholstered seats, a seat which can be 

removed from its construction. 

Dining tables can be found in various 

forms. The shape between the rectangle 

and the ellipse is characteristic, which was 

based on the mathematical concept of the 

so-called "superelipse" of Piet Hein. An 

example of a dining table with chairs is the 

famous Kristian Vedel's Modus furniture 

system, with its low chairs (Fiell, 2014), 

but with a high back rest support. 

Comfortable, triple chairs without armrests 

and adequate table covered with glass. The 

Modus series was characterized by its 

leather-coated seats and backrest, which 

form the hand and rear parts that are 

embedded in the frame of a richly colored 

wood. 

http://www.japmnt.com/


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 

26 
www.japmnt.com 

 

Fig.9. AX table – Peter Hvidt, 1950 

The sofas are the most modern 

representation of traditional seating 

furniture. They are characterized by 

frequent use of light beech wood, male 

proportions, superior craft skills, use of 

natural materials, high quality construction 

and excellent interpretation of visible 

historical forms. 

As a result of the influence of the previous 

styles, a type of seats appear - a folded 

shape of mahogany and leather - e.g. 

Egyptian Stool (1960), based on an ancient 

collection of antique pieces in the Berlin 

Museum (Fiell, 2014). The production 

consists of high quality construction and 

finish, showing the skill of the craft 

tradition in Scandinavia. 

 

Fig. 9. Egyptian Stool – Ole Wanscher,1960 

The Scandinavian furniture is 

minimalist, simple, functional and nice 

furniture, which draws its inspiration from 

the ancient uniqueness and beauty of shape 

and design. It is characterized by simple 

natural woodwork, with slightly rounded 

elements. The main feature is multi-

functionality, lightweight construction 

with a noticeable reduction in the 

decoration. 

3. Comparative analysis of the 

ancient design of the 

Scandinavian furniture 

As one of the basic features of the 

Scandinavian design of furniture and 

interior, it is the inspiration and application 

of vintage pieces of furniture. The use of 

antique and classical elements within the 

entire home interior is a hallmark of the 

very style and at the same time a 

characteristic of the design of the Nordic 

designers themselves. There are easily 

matched and mixed new with old pieces of 

furniture, they are discrete elements that 

emphasize the style and comfort itself, but 

not the colors, details or glamour. 

By analyzing the individual characteristic 

elements of the furniture of both styles, we 

can generalize and make a correlation 

between the two designs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.japmnt.com/


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 
 

27 
www.japmnt.com 

3.1.Antique furniture design 

 

 Furniture: Materials: Form: Color: 

 

 
 

Egypt 

- Stool; 

- Table; 
- Armchair; 

- Bed; 

- Table; 
- Folding bed; 

- wood; metal; 

- faience; 
-Ivory; 

- reeds; ebony; 

- skin; gold; 
- malachite; 

-simple and curly chairs 

with backrest; 
-tables-like masts; 

-bed with pages; 

-decorations - animal 
forms; 

-stellar gold; 

-dark blue; 
-strong red; 

- light-yellow; 

-melahit; Ivory; 
- sunflower yellow 

 

 

Greece 

- Chair - Klismos; 

- Armchair; 

- Dining table; 
- Floding chair; 

-Bed of bronze; 

- wood;  

- ceramics; 

- marble; 
- bronze; 

-beads and pulley; 

- Ivory; 

-simple construction; 

-plasticity; 

- wide seats; 
- rounded backrest; 

- backrest; 

-multi-functionality; 

-stellar; 

- red; 

-dark blue; 
- copper brown; 

-merme rosé; 

-olive green; 

 
 

 

Rom 

- Armchair; 
-Table; 

-Benches; 

- Chair -cathedra; 

-Lashing stool; 
- Bed; 

-wood;  
- metal; 

-bronze; 

-marble; 

-willow rods; 
-Enamel; 

-Ivory; 

-chairs with backrest and 
armrests; 

-curly legs; 

-Table with a rectangular 

and circular surface; 
-Bed -Ancient Greek 

prototype; 

- imperial violet; 
-richly  gold; 

-Pompeii red; 

-Rimic green; 

-black; 

Table.1. Characteristics of antique furniture according to form, furniture, materials and color 

3.2. Scandinavian furniture design 

Furniture: Materials: Form: Color: 

- Chairs; 

- Armchair; 

-Sofa; 
- Bed; 

- Table; 

- Corpus furniture; 
- Stool; 

-teak wood, oak, 

pine, beech, birch; 

-metal and plastic; 
-flax, cotton, wave, 

leather, hemp, jute; 

-organic form; 

- rounded edges; 

stools with curved backrests 
and legs; 

- mostly armrests; 

- reduction of decarcation; 

- white; 

- beige; 

- pastel blue; 
-light yellow; 

-carnation; 

-colorful red; 
-pale-turquoise; 

Table.2. Characteristics of Scandinavian furniture according to form, furniture, materials and color 

 

Based on a detailed analysis of the 

characteristics of both styles separately 

and their individual elements, we can 

conclude that in today's modern 

Scandinavian style, as a design of the 20th 

century, numerous antique elements and 

peculiarities can be found in relation to 

characteristic pieces of furniture, use of 

natural materials, shape, design and color. 

4. Similarities and Differences 

The Scandinavian style, driven by the 

connection with nature and the need for 

durable, simple, functional, yet perfect 

pieces of furniture, finds its connection 

with ancient design and its unique 

historical values. 

We can define the similarities through the 

following elements: 

• Recognizable large corpus furniture for 

storage-cabinets; 

• Roman and Greek types of beds for lying 

by the bed; 

• Antique coffins of massive wood; 

http://www.japmnt.com/


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 

28 
www.japmnt.com 

• Chairs with folded backrests and legs; 

• Large and comfortable armchairs; 

The main difference consists in the desire 

to simplify and avoid scenery in the 

Scandinavian style, with the aim of greater 

functionality and practicality. 

To better understand the correlation of the 

two designs, we will show the similarities 

and differences of the same: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ancient furniture: 

 

Similarities: 

 

Scandinavian furniture: 

 
 Materials: 

-gold, bronze, marble, ivory, 

enamel, ebony, faience; 

 Materials: 

- Wood, leather, metal; 
 Materials: 

- plastic, flax, 
hemp,wave, jute ... 

 Form: 
-rich decoration, beds with 

pages, armrests (Roman type) 

 Form: 
-technique of wood bending, 

without armrests, folding 

mechanism, backrest, wide 
seats; 

 Form: 
-simplified form, reduced 

decoration, use of less 

materials; 

 Color: 
-strong colors-red, blue, green, 

gold ... 

 Color: 
-white, beige, sunny yellow, 

rose; 

 Color: 
-neutral and pastel colors; 

Table.3. Similarities and differences between ancient design and Scandinavian 

 

Conclusion: 

 The antique furniture is one of the 

key elements of the interior design and 

contributes to creating a certain style in the 

home. As a confirmation of the fact that 

there are no clear boundaries between the 

styles and they themselves are interwoven 

with each other, it is precisely this 

correlation of the Scandinavian design 

with the ancient. The Scandinavian design 

is characterized by extreme laconism of 

forms, complete lack of decor and 

ornaments, clarity of composition and 

monochromism, emphasizing the 

naturalness of textures (Nelson and Taylor, 

2012). The application of solid furniture in 

the style of the past eras gives it a unique, 

historic identity of the interior. 

Through a comparative analysis of the 

individual characteristics of both styles, 

the correlation between the styles and the 

direction in which they move can be seen. 

Dividing the individual elements, through 

which antiquity notices its presence in 

today's Scandinavian style, we can see the 

scope of influence of the antique furniture 

on the Scandinavian: 

• Characteristic pieces of furniture, which 

are distinctions of the ancient period 

(stool, big comfort armchairs, seats, solid 

furniture, coffins, etc.); 

http://www.japmnt.com/


(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International 

Vol. 6, No 2, 2018. 
 

29 
www.japmnt.com 

• Use of natural materials, without 

extensive artificial processing, in order to 

preserve the natural texture and contours. 

Increased selection of materials in antique 

furniture, in contrast to the Scandinavian; 

• Similarities in shape and furniture design 

- curved form of stools and multi-

functionality. 

• The color and the use of strong colors in 

antiquity is richer, while in the 

Scandinavian design, the application of 

neutral shades prevails. 

• The use of decoration, in antiquity is 

quite present, while in the Scandinavian 

design it is reduced to a minimum. 

The positive contemporary aspect of 

interpreting the applied antique elements 

in the modern furniture design is evident 

through the works of numerous 

contemporary designers, which are 

interpretations of prominent ancient 

masterpieces and at the same time the 

application of the features of antiquity - 

first of all in terms of functionality, 

durability - the use of natural materials, 

simple and clear construction and perfect 

proportion. 

 Based on the overall research, we 

can safely summarize that the ancient 

design offers classical forms that are 

simply defined, purified and durable, 

which at the same time represent a non-

exhaustive inspiration, which is proof of 

their centuries-old revelation and 

exploitation in different periods of the 

development of the design of furniture. 

References: 

1. Ajzinberg, A.(2009). Stilovi arhitektura, 
enterijer, namešta, Beograd, Prosveta. 

2. Arnason, X.X.(2009). Istorija na modernata 
umetnost, Skopje, Napres. 

3. Wilkins, D., Schulz, B., i  Lindaf, K. (2009). 
Umetnost minata, umetnost segashna, Skopje, 

Nampres. 

4. Fiell, Ch. & Fiell, P. (2014). Scandinavian 
Design, Cologne, Taschen. 

5. Grozev, O. I Tiholov, K.(1993). Interior, 
Sofija, Tehnika. 

6. Keller, G.(1975). Dizajn, Zagreb, Vjesnik. 
7. Knežević, O.(2012). Stilovi namestaja, 

Beograd, Krug Commerce. 

8. Nelson, K. i Taylor, D. (2012). Enterieri – 
Voved, Skopje, Ars Lamina. 

9. Pisareva, E.(2002). Istorija na interior I 
mebelite, Sofia, Lesnotehniceski Univerzitet. 

10. Raiceva, R. (1999). Istorija na interiora i 
mebelite, Sofia, Lesnotehniceski Univerzitet. 

 

 

 

 

http://www.japmnt.com/