Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen by Ludvig Pontoppidan, Large Rosewood Desk
View Similar Items
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen by Ludvig Pontoppidan, Large Rosewood Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Peter Hvidt (Designer),Ludvig Pontoppidan (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 82.25 in (208.92 cm)Depth: 35.25 in (89.54 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1959
- Condition:In great overall condition with minor wear commensurate with age. Expertly restored, beautifully repolished and ready to add to your collection.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 98791stDibs: LU85568883143
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.
- Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Secretary Desk in Solid TeakBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in San Diego, CAPeter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen drop front solid teak desk opens to drawers with beautiful dovetail joinery. The piece has three small drawers below and two larger drawers. Per...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Peter & Molgaard Hvidt Rosewood SecretaryBy Soborg Mobler, Peter HvidtLocated in Brooklyn, NYHandsome, masculine 6-drawer dresser with recessed pulls, topped with drop-front desk fitted with drawer and storage cubicles. On enameled metal legs with rosewood block feet. Retain...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsSteel
- Danish Bookcase by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-NielsenBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Oklahoma City, OKThe two-piece stacking teak bookcase by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart Inc. epitomizes a harmonious blend of form and functionality. Meticulously crafted from ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Solid Teak CabinetBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in San Diego, CAPeter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen solid teak cabinet. This two door cabinet opens to three sliding shelves, single lower shelf. Made of solid teak with dovetail joints on all sid...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- Teak Cabinets by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg MøbelfabrikBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Littleton, COTeak bachelor's chest or tall sideboard by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbelfabrik. This lovely pair of stacked cabinets have been well cared by their origin...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
$4,600 Sale Price29% Off - Teak Gentleman's Dresser with Mirror by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-NielsenBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Dorchester, MAPeter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen designed this handsome gentleman's dresser for J. Jacobsen and Sonner; it was imported from Denmark by John Stuart, whose mark appears underneat...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak