Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard Nielsen Portex Easy Chairs, 1944
About the Item
- Creator:Peter Hvidt (Designer),Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 24.41 in (62 cm)Depth: 26.78 in (68 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1944
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. New upholstery with very nice semi wool fabric, close to the original fabric that was on it.
- Seller Location:Roosendaal, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU93301256868
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: Roosendaal, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Friso Kramer Revolt for TH Delft by Ahrend de Cirkel 1958 ArmsBy Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso KramerLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare first production Revolt armchair designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, Holland, 1953. This chair was made for the TH Delft who commissioned Friso Kramer and Ahrend to decorate the new interior. These famous TH Delft chairs...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Martin Visser SZ02 Easy Chairs Pair 't Spectrum, 1964By Martin VisserLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare and amazing pair of easy chairs by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, Holland, 1964. These chairs are model SZ02, documented in several books and catalogues by ‘t Spectrum as model ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Martin Visser Modernist Chair SE20 Spectrum, 1988By Martin VisserLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare modernist side chair designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by ’t Spectrum Bergeyk, 1988. This chair is model number SE20 and was made in several color combinations. This is...Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Emiel Veranneman Osaka Chair De Coene Belgium 1968By De Coene Frères, Emiel VerannemanLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantBeautiful 'Osaka' chair designed by Emiel Veranneman and manufactured by De Coene, Belgium 1968. The Osaka dining chair was designed by Emiel Veranneman and usd at the Belgian pavili...Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Martin Visser Modernist Prototype Chair SE20 Spectrum, 1988By Martin VisserLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare prototype side chair designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by ’t Spectrum Bergeyk 1988. This chair is the pre production of model number SE20 and was eventually made in sev...Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Bruno Ninaber Van Eyben 020 Chair Artifort 1977By Bruno Ninaber van Eyben, ArtifortLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantExquisite piece of Dutch design, this model 020 chair designed by Bruno Ninaber van Eyben which was manufactured by Artifort, The Netherlands 1977. This ...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Teak ArmchairBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, John Stuart Inc., Peter HvidtLocated in Garnerville, NYPeter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen teak scoop armchair. Manufactured in Denmark by France and Daverkosen. Freshly upholstered fabric a...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak, Upholstery
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen "FD144" Easy Chair, Denmark, 1953By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Utrecht, NLThis is a beautiful Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen designed model “FD 144” easy chair, made in Denmark in 1953. It was produced by France & Daverkosen Denmark. This solid oak...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Portex Armchair by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-NielsenBy Thonet, Hvidt & MølgaardLocated in Vienna, ATEarly Scandinavian Modern beech armchair with plywood seat and back. Usually produced by Fritz Hansen, this one manufactured by Thonet who produced them as well for some yearsCategory
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBeech, Plywood
- Armchair Attributed to Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-NielsenBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länVery rare armchair attributed to Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Probably produced by Gustav Bertelsen in Denmark.Category
Vintage 1940s European Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Gustav Bertelsen Lounge ChairBy Gustav Bertelsen, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Waalwijk, NLPeter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Gustav Bertelsen, armchair, teak, niger leather, brass, Denmark, designed in 1948 and manufactured in the late 1940s Early designed lounge ch...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Paper Cord Side Chair for Soborg MobelfabrikBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Los Angeles, CAModel 316 chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for Soborg Mobelfabrik, Denmark. This chair, made in the 1950s, features a teak frame and newly woven ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPapercord, Teak