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.
Modular Floor Cabinet, Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, 1950s
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, 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
Modular Floor Cabinet by Ejner Larsen Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, 1950s
By Aksel Bender Madsen, Ejner Larsen, 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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Brass Hardware, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful sideboard cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, made of sandalwood with solid brass hardware. Cabinet has drawers on each side, center Lucite pull out shelf and on...
Brass
$8,011
H 38.98 in W 50.4 in D 22.84 in
Serena Cabinet by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova 1950s Italy
By Giovanni Michelucci, Poltronova
Located in London, London
Serena cabinet with drawers by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova Walnut A sculptural and subtly architectural cabinet designed by Giovanni Michelucci for Poltronova in the 1950s. ...
Walnut
Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Meda, MB
Precious cabinet secretaire produced in Italy in the 1950s, The whole cabinet is veneered in mahogany with a fine solid wood carving in the center of the two doors representing two b...
Mahogany, Maple
$5,000
H 45.75 in W 56.25 in D 18.75 in
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Cabinet Series Three-Door Cabinet Bar
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Three-Door Basic Cabinet Series bar in walnut, initially designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular piece was produced ca.1950. Three cabinet door...
Steel
1970s Modular Plastic Cabinets by Anna Castelli for Kartell
By Kartell
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Original pair of cylindrical cabinets by Anna Castelli for Kartell, modular with vertical overlap was designed for every room. A true pieces of italian design. The items are in...
Plastic
Floating Cabinets by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Elevate your interior with these exquisite mid-century floating cabinets, masterfully designed by the iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s and meticulously restored to their...
Rosewood, Walnut
Vintage Industrial Storage Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
Unique vintage industrial shelf cabinet This piece will add that now so modern industrial touch to any interior. We have a second similar cab...
Metal
Baker Finn Juhl Modular Wall Unit, circa 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Baker Finn Juhl adjustable modular wall unit, circa 1950s. Can be positioned vertically or horizontal. Each unit measures 32" wide x 11" deep x 14" tall. Shelf measures 10" x 54". Me...
Wood
Bicoloured Cabinet By Willy Van Der Meeren For Tubax
By Tubax, Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in London, London
Cabinet or wardrobe By Willy Van der Meeren For Tubax Two sliding metal doors - yellow and grey Wooden sides Black metal frame Tapering wooden handles Hanging rail and shelve...
Aluminum, Steel
Henredon, Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Henredon
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut cabinet or sideboard designed and produced by Henredon, USA, 1950s.
Walnut
$13,500Sale Price|25% Off
H 22 in W 32 in D 16.5 in
Caned Sculptural Cabinet by Vladimir Kagan for Grosfeld House, 1950s, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan, Grosfeld House
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This very rare sculptural caned cabinet was designed by Vladimir Kagan and crafted by Grosfeld House during the 1950s in New York, documented in early Grosfeld House advertisements (see photos). Featuring sculpted legs, a caned door (with original unaltered caning in excellent vintage condition) with brass handle, and interior outfitted with two compartments, one side with an adjustable shelf. While the cabinet is small in size, it is huge in personality. Vladimir Kagan's works have been highly valued by collectors and art / design investors, and his earlier works in the 1950s for Grosfeld House and Kagan-Dreyfuss are among the most sought after by 'purist collectors' like myself. Why do I prize his 1950s works above all else? I can write a short book on this, but one easy to explain reason is that this was a period unlike the rest of his career, where items produced in this time are hallmarked within that period - a distinction that his later works lacked. Essentially, everything post the early 60s blended together with the decades thereafter. A novice Kagan collector is content with anything by Kagan, even items produced by Directional and American Leather Company...
Walnut, Cane
$5,263Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 15.36 in D 24.41 in
Rare Two-Sided Pine Cabinet by Göran Malmvall for Svensk Fur, Sweden, 1950s
By Goran Malmvall, Svensk Fur, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare two-sided cabinet in solid pine, designed by Göran Malmvall and manufactured by Svensk Fur in Sweden during the 1940-1950s. The cabinet features doors opening on both sides, e...
Pine
Midcentury Teak Credenza By Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larson
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage MCM Danish teak credenza. Designed by the legends Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen. Crafted by Narvstead Mobelfabrik in...
Teak
Aksel Bender Madsen Rosewood Danish Credenza
By Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Oakland, CA
Mid-century Rosewood sideboard designed by Aksel Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen c.1961. Cabinet with sliding doors and series of four drawers in center, each with carved round pulls....
Oak, Rosewood
Rare Danish Teak Cabinet by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
By Naestved Mobelfabrik, Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Peabody, MA
Rare Danish teak cabinet designed by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Naestved Mobelfabrik, circa 1964. An extremely well crafted piece, with a tambour door, behind which are...
Bronze
Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen Cabinet
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A decorative and functional Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen teak storage cabinet with tambour door mounted on a rosewood plinth. Designed 19...
Rosewood, Teak