"AX" Lounge chair by Danish designers Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard
About the Item
- Creator:Peter Hvidt (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23.63 in (60 cm)Width: 17.72 in (45 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1947
- Condition:Refinished. Expertly restored to highest standard.
- Seller Location:Copenhagen, DK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7827232032572
Peter Hvidt
One half of the influential Danish furniture duo Hvidt and Mølgaard, architect and designer Peter Hvidt created shapely works in teak and rosewood that could be mass-produced and transported at a scale rarely seen before his time. Alongside his business partner, Aalborg-born designer Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, the pair crafted furniture which stands today as a masterclass in the combination of elegance and practicality that is typical of Scandinavian modernism.
Hvidt was born in Copenhagen in 1916. He studied architecture and cabinetry, and graduated from the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. Hvidt established his own design firm in 1940 and taught for three years at his former school, during which he designed the teak Portex chair — Denmark’s first stacking chair (this design has alternatively been attributed to Hvidt’s partnership with Mølgaard-Nielsen over the years).
The exceptional collaboration between Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen took shape in 1944. A student of pioneering Danish modernist designer and architect Kaare Klint and fellow graduate of the School of Arts and Crafts, Mølgaard brought his technical prowess and eye for practical design to the partnership. Together, for more than three decades, Hvidt and Mølgaard would produce over 250 furniture designs, a legacy that included the iconic AX chair.
A masterpiece of technical expertise and innovative woodworking, the sculptural AX armchair was designed in collaboration with manufacturer Fritz Hansen during the late 1940s. It features double-curved laminated wood in the seat and back, and is an early example of knock-down furniture. This meant that it could be easily dismantled and assembled at its destination, which rendered the chair economical for transport on cargo ships and therefore could reach a worldwide audience. The AX went into production in 1950 and eventually gave way to a series that featured tables and other seating.
Hvidt’s proclivity for forward-looking design was typical of the venturesome furniture makers of the mid-century modern era. This extended to textures and materials, too — he believed that a tasteful combination of materials could add character and visual intrigue. With Mølgaard-Nielsen, Hvidt designed streamlined coffee tables, rosewood chairs upholstered with sumptuous black leather and teak side tables with cane shelves (teak was a sought-after material for designers at the time).
The duo’s work with celebrated manufacturers Fritz Hansen, France & Søn and Søborg Møbelfabrik has been a part of exhibitions at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen’s Design Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Peter Hvidt seating, tables and case pieces.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Horsens, Denmark
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- "Lean back" lounge chair by Danish designer Arne Hovmand-OlsenBy Arne Hovmand-OlsenLocated in Copenhagen, DKThe "Lean back" lounge chair by Danish designer Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Warm Nordic in 1957. Ever since it has been one of the most iconic mid-century Danis...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Hans J. Wegner GE-284 Lounge ChairBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Copenhagen, DKLounge chair by the probably most famous Danish furniture designer Hans J. Wegner. Model "GE-284" Handcrafted by GETEMA´s factory in Gedsted. GETEMA has ...Category
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Beech
- Ingmar Relling "Siesta" lounge chair - Flora edition, high backBy Ingmar RellingLocated in Copenhagen, DKThe rare and unique FLORA edition of the classic SIESTA lounge chairs was made in 2005 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ingmar Rellings original siesta chair. While keeping the ...Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Armchair by Danish designers Ebbe Gehl & Søren NissenBy Søren Nissen & Ebbe GehlLocated in Copenhagen, DKClassic armchair by Danish designers Ebbe Gehl & Søren Nissen. Designet in the 1970s and Solid oak upholstered with alcantara. Made by Nielaus/Jeki furniture. Gently ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSuede, Oak
- Vitrine by Danish Designer Kai Winding in RosewoodBy Kai WindingLocated in Copenhagen, DKRare and beautiful vitrine by Danish designer Kai Winding. Made by P. Jeppesen Furniture. Rosewood. The table has been expertly and gently refinished and is imp absolute p...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
MaterialsRosewood
- Danish midcentury coffee table in teakLocated in Copenhagen, DKElegant and beautiful Danish midcentury coffee table in teak. Gently and expertly refinished to excellent condition. NielsenClassics...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen "Ax" Lounge Chair for Fritz HansenBy Peter Hvidt, Fritz Hansen, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Los Angeles, CAA striking chair designed by architects Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen in collaboration with the famous artisan company Fritz Hansen in Denmark circa 1960s. Our chair uses quali...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Laminate, Wood
- Ax Lounge Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-NielsenBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, Fritz HansenLocated in Sagaponack, NYA Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen designed Scandinavian Modern lounge chair in a sculptural and innovative armless design. Made of laminated teak and beech, the chair features a ...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Teak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for Fritz Hansen "Ax" Cowhide Lounge ChairBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt, Fritz HansenLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned by two of the most iconic and critically acclaimed Danish designers, the Ax chair was brought to life by Peter Hvidt in partnership with Orla Molgaard Nielsen for production...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCowhide, Beech, Teak
- Peter Hvidt Orla Molgaard Classic Danish 1950s Lounge ChairBy Peter Hvidt, Fritz HansenLocated in Bridgeport, CTCharming and very elegant Classic Danish lounge chair. The chair is signature stylestyle of Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard for Fritz Hansen. Simple yet very refined design lines and ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMohair, Beech
- Ax Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Neilsen for Fritz HansenBy Peter Hvidt, Fritz HansenLocated in Dorchester, MADesigned by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for Fritz Hansen in 1947, the Ax Chair has a gently curved bent beechwood frame with armrests that offers a supremely comfortable se...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech, Teak
- Ax Lounge Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orly Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1947By Peter Hvidt, Fritz HansenLocated in Scottsdale, AZAx lounge chair by Peter Hvidt & Orly Mølgaard-Nielsen MFG: Fritz Hansen c. 1954 Denmark Materials: Laminated beech, leather & teak. Character en...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech, Teak, Bentwood