Aksel Bender Madsen created a number of classic mid century designs in the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, often working jointly with his business partner and friend Ejner Larsen (1917–87). Bender Madsen trained as a cabinetmaker before spending four years studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1940. It was there that he met his lifelong friend Larsen, with whom he would work throughout his career. They designed over 300 pieces of furniture together until Larsen’s death in 1987, often working with cabinetmaker Willy Beck, who produced their designs over a 25-year period. Larsen and Bender Madsen participated annually in the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild competitions from 1947, and their work was exhibited at the Triennale di Milano and in the Design in Scandinavia exhibition, which traveled across the US. from 1954 to 1957. Larsen and Bender Madsen’s most famous design, namely the Metropolitan Chair, was developed in 1949 and produced from 1950; its name came from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it was shown and acquired for the Arts of Denmark exhibition in 1960–61. Before he began working with Larsen, Bender Madsen worked for Danish icons Kaare Klint and Arne Jacobsen from 1940 to 1943. While designing furniture, he also worked simultaneously as an architect for the Danish Consumers Cooperative Society (1943–50) and as a teacher and principal at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (1950–54). Bender Madsen was committed to building the Danish design identity and exporting Scandinavian style. He introduced a clear Danish aesthetic to the Dutch brand Bovenkamp in the 1950s and 1960s, who also worked with Arne Vodder. Bender Madsen designs for Bovenkamp feature many models of easy chairs and armchairs, including the low-backed Edith and the high-backed Karen (circa 1950). Together Bender Madsen and Larsen received many awards, including winning the prestigious Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Annual Prize in 1956 and 1961. Their furniture is housed in museums around the world, including the aforementioned Met Museum and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark.
Aksel Bender Madsen for Fritz Hansen Set of Four Armchairs in Oak
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Aksel Bender Madsen for Fritz Hansen, set f four dining chairs, oak, black upholstery, Denmark, circa 1955 This set of four Danish dining chairs feature a blond oak frame that forms...
Fabric, Oak
Aksel Bender Madsen Sofa in Checkered Fabric, Oak and Teak
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Aksel Bender Madsen, sofa, fabric, oak, teak, Denmark, 1960s The designer of this sofa is Aksel bender Madsen (1916-2000) who is known for his classic Mid-Century designs and worked with prominent Danish designers such as Kaare Klint (1888-1954), Ejner Larsen (1917-1987), and Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971), to name a few. This sofa is pure and clean in its appearance due to its lack of unnecessary decoration. In the meantime, the slightly long shaped backrest and the sleek legs create a very calming and weightless appearance. The slightly bent armrests are made out of teak while the rest of the frame is oak. The checkered fabric...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Larsen & Bender-Madsen for Fritz Hansen Dining Chair in Oak
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Einar Larsen & Aksel Bender-Madsen for Fritz Hansen, model 4205, orange upholstery, oak, Denmark, 1950s This wide dining chair is executed with a rounded back. The chair features a ...
Fabric, Oak
Lounge Chair by Ejner Larsen & A. Bender Madsen
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare LP48 armchair from 1948 by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, made by Ludvig Pontoppidan in original black leather. Signed with label.
Leather, Teak
Armchair by Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, Leather, 1949
By Willy Beck, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Very rare and iconic armchair from the 1950s, crafted from premium teak wood and upholstered in high-quality leather. Designed by Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen, this vintage p...
Leather, Teak
Teak and Steel Desk by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak desk with steel frame and pulls, with a left side return housing filing shelves designed by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen. Return dimensions; 39.5" W, 17.5" D, 26.5" H.
Steel
Drop Leaf Executive Desk by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen, Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rectangular teak executive desk with a demi-lune drop leaf.
Teak
Simple Stool by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A spare and well crafted stool having a shapely black leather seat floating on tapered teak dowel legs.
Leather, Teak
Modular Floor Cabinet, Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, 1950s
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen, Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A modular floor cabinet in solid rich teak having an upper section with adjustable open shelves and three floating drawers resting on a base with two sli...
Teak
Oak and Cane Lounge Chair by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck
By Willy Beck, Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare Scandinavian Modern armchair designed by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen. The design features oak and caned in a modern linear form. Produced by Willy Beck in Denmark, circ...
Cane, Oak
Desk by A. Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen for Willy Beck Cabinetmaker
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Interesting and rare Danish designed desk by A. Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen and manufactured by Willy Beck. Desk features a 21-inch drop-leaf. Ta...
Rosewood, Teak
Modular Floor Cabinet by Ejner Larsen Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, 1950s
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen, Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant, finely crafted and spare modular floor cabinet in solid rich teak having an upper section with adjustable open shelves and three floating dra...
Teak
$8,103Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 64.57 in D 25.2 in
Lounge Chairs and Sofa by Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp, 1952
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Early rare midcentury livingroom set composed of one lady-chair, one highback reading chair, attached neck pillow, and one sofa. Beautifully sculpted teak frame and original amber-or...
Upholstery, Oak
Svend Aage Madsen Teak Desk with Bookcase, Danish Modern, 1960
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen teak desk with front bookcase. Desk has a slight graceful curve with a rolled edge to the back of the desk. Beautiful size and scale! Legs are exp...
Teak
$1,721 / set
H 32.29 in W 20.08 in D 19.69 in
1960s Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender-Madsen Teak Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Praha, CZ
- Original upholstery with some signs of use - The wooden parts have been repolished.
Teak, Fabric
$2,904Sale Price|55% Off
H 40.95 in W 90.56 in D 27.56 in
Decorative and Architectural Biedermeier Sofa in Birch
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and architectural Biedermeier sofa in birch, Copenhagen Denmark , 1820-1830. Upholstered with black fabric.
Birch, Fabric
Leather and Teak Midcentury Danish Modern Floating Sofa
By Arne Vodder, Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Sharp Danish Mid-Century Modern teak and leather floating low profile sofa.
Leather, Teak
Corner Sofa Blond Wood and Fabric, Italy, 1950's
By Ico Parisi
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Corner sofa in blond wood and fabric,, Italy, 1950's What stands out most in this low corner bench are the recesses in the framework and the 9 straight, tapered, squared stiletto legs that are so typical for that period in Italy. As you can see the backrest is optional and was probably designed later to give it some extra comfort. Back in the days these sofas were mostly used for very practical purposes like a quick coffee or pasta. This sofa would work very well in a corner of course but strangely enough this rectangular sofa also works very well in the middle of a room for example with a round table and two chairs...
Fabric, Wood
$6,573
H 30.32 in W 40.16 in D 27.56 in
Svend Aage Madsen desk with drawers produced by Sigurd Hansen, Denmark, 1958
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A small desk with two drawers in ash wood and Formica, Danish production, designed by Svend Aage Madsen and produced by Sigurd Hansen, 1958. Despite its compact size, this desk refl...
Formica, Ash
$2,390
H 18.12 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Stool in Teak and Cane Attributed to Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejnar Larsen
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare stool attributed to Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejnar Larsen. Produced in Denmark.
Cane, Teak
$6,500
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Midcentury Danish Design Desk in Teak by Svend Aage Madsen, 1950s
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking desk in teak with cane details on the frame and the handles. Designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Made in Denmark in the 1950s. Nice original condition.
Cane, Teak
Freestanding Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Mid century danish freestanding teak desk. Designed by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured by FM. Model FM60. With 3 drawers on each side and forward with open shelves.
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk by Ib Kofod Larsen
By Faarup Møbelfabrik, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing Danish teak executive desk designed by Ib Kofod Larsen for Faarup Møbelfabrik in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk has a versatile and functional design where the fine attentio...
Teak
$6,554
H 19.69 in W 22.05 in D 15.75 in
Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen Stool for Willy Beck, Rosewood & Leather
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, Willy Beck
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stool designed by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, Denmark, 1950s. Brazilian rosewood and leather. Marked. Dimensions: H: 50 cm / 19 3/4'' W: 56 cm / 22'' D: 4...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 33.86 in W 25.79 in D 28.15 in
Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp Lounge Chair in Oak and Yellow Upholstery
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp, easy chair, oak, teak, fabric, The Netherlands, 1965 A true mid-century icon, this lounge chair is designed by the Danish master Aksel Bender Mads...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp Lounge Chair in Oak and Teak
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Aksel Bender Madsen for Bovenkamp, lounge chair, teak and oak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s. Madsen is known for his modest, minimalist designs. This lounge chair has armrests made out of...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Sold
H 19.69 in W 49.22 in D 19.69 in
Rare Coffee Table in Teak and Rosewood by Aksel Bender Madsen, 1960's
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Coffee Table in Teak and Rosewood by Aksel Bender Madsen, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Teak and rosewood Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Willy Beck in ...
Teak, Rosewood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 24.81 in D 25.99 in
"Metropolitan" Chair by Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen for Willy Beck
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Armchair Metropolitan designed by Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen for Willy Beck, Denmark. 1950s. Lacquered wood and original cane. Dimensions: H: 78 cm/ 2' 7'' D: 50 cm/ 1' 8...
Cane, Lacquer
Bovenkamp Wingback Chair by Aksel Bender Madsen, Holland, 1959
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice high back 'Karen' lounge chair designed by Aksel Bender Madsen & Schubell and manufactured by Bovenkamp, Holland 1959. Aksel Bender Madsen was asked by Bovenkamp to work fo...
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
Pair of Teak Lounge Chairs by Aksel Bender Madsen
By Willy Beck, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of beautiful teak lounge chairs by Aksel Bender Madsen, upholstered with off-white wool fabric from Kvadrat. Amazing sculptural joinery and the unusual continuation of the armre...
Wool, Teak
Aksel Bender Madsen Bovenkamp wingback chair Holland, 1960
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice high lounge chair designed by Aksel Bender Madsen and Schubell and manufactured by Bovenkamp, Holland 1960. Aksel Bender Madsen was attracted by Bovenkamp to work for them ...
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
Bovenkamp Armchairs
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in London, GB
Danish cabinet maker Aksel Bender Madsen learnt his trade at the Furniture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1940. Thereafter he worked with the famous a...
Oak, Upholstery
Bovenkamp Highback Green Armchair, Netherlands, 1950s
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in London, GB
Danish cabinet maker Aksel Bender Madsen learnt his trade at the Furniture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1940. Thereafter he worked with the famous a...
Oak, Teak, Wool
1950s Danish Aksel Bender Madsen Bovenkamp Sofa
By Bovenkamp, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in London, GB
Danish cabinetmaker Aksel Bender Madsen learnt his trade at the Furniture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1940. Thereafter he worked with the famous ar...
Oak, Teak, Upholstery, Wool
Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Fritz Hansen Chairs, 1955
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice pair of armchairs model 4205 designed by Ejnar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1955. These chairs have a solid birch wooden frame and black vinyl up...
Birch, Faux Leather
Sold
H 35.25 in W 71 in D 28.25 in
1950s Danish Superb Desk by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy beck
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, Willy Beck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A superb, generously scaled and impeccably handcrafted desk in pale mahogany having a finely proportioned rectilinear form. The desk is fully finished on all sides; the drawers have ...
Mahogany