As is the case for many Scandinavian designers from the mid-century period, little biographical information on Danish designer Svend Åge Madsen has survived. What is known has been gleaned from vintage dealers working with limited archival materials, like sales catalogues. Outside of Nordic countries, the designer’s name is often written "Svend Aage Madsen”. While some rare designs date from the late 1950s, the overwhelming majority of Madsen’s furniture was designed in the 1960s.
Madsen’s creations epitomize the Danish modern style: he favoured warm teak and rosewood, organic silhouettes, and minimal decorative details. More specific features of his work include “boomerang” legs; sloped, arching desk drawers; and “floating” desk tops.
A number of Madsen’s desks were produced by Danish manufacturers H.P Hansen and Sigurd Hansen. Madsen also designed dining tables and sideboards for K. Knudsen & Son; nesting tables for Karl Lindegaard; credenzas for Allesø Møbelfabrik; bedside tables and sideboards for Falster Møbelfabrik; and dressing tables for NB Møbelfabrik.
