Along with Vernor Panton, cabinetmaker and architect Arne Vodder was a leading light of what might be called the “second generation” of forward-thinking 20th-century Danish furniture designers — those who, following in the footsteps of Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and others, first applied the skills, traditions and philosophical tenets of Scandinavian craftsmanship to a modern furniture idiom.
Vodder was a graduate student in architecture trained by Juhl, a pioneer of furniture design credited with igniting the Scandinavian modernist movement that swept like wildfire across the United States in the postwar era. Vodder made his mark in the 1960s, when modern design had gained wide acceptance, particularly in the business world. Accordingly, many of Vodder's chairs, created for manufacturers such as France & Søn, Fritz Hansen and Sibast, are quiet in form — projecting an air of sturdiness and strength, rather than avant-garde styling.
Vodder’s aesthetic flair is very pronounced in his vintage cabinets and storage pieces — sideboards, bookcases, credenzas and buffets. In such pieces, the designer liked to play with asymmetry.
Vodder’s bookcases often have a seemingly random array of variously sized shelves and nooks. A typical Vodder sideboard of the mid-century period — his classic Model 29 case piece is known to collectors — might have four sections, each different in purpose and look: an open stack of vertical shelves, and other cupboards covered with sliding panels in contrasting colored laminates and wood veneers.
As you will see from the works on 1stDibs, Vodder had a sense of what kind of design was appropriate for which space: sobriety in the boardroom; playfulness at home.
Find vintage Arne Vodder furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Mobile Bar Trolley by Palle Pedersen & Erik Andersen for Sibast Furniture, 1965
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A simple and functional Scandinavian Modern bar cart designed by Arne Vodder. This cart features open storage and book matched rosewood drawers on castors with the black laminate top that slides open to reveal drink storage...
Rosewood
Bremshey Bar Cart Trolley 1960s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Bremshey Folding Bar Cart Troliey Germany 1960s
Chrome
Hans Wegner Oak Bar Trolley for Andreas Tuck, Denmark 1959
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: approx. 75 × 45 × 60 cm (29.5" × 17.7" × 23.6") Width × Depth × Height Elegant bar trolley designed in 1959 by Hans J. Wegner and manufactured by Andreas Tuck, Denmark. ...
Oak
$703
H 20.87 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Space Age Orange Plastic Mobile Bar Trolley Table Made in Italy, 1970s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A charming blend of form and function, this vintage bar cart from the 1970s stands as a testament to Italy’s renowned design legacy. Fashioned from a beautiful warm-toned orange pla...
Plastic
$670
H 24.02 in W 21.26 in D 21.26 in
Space Age Orange Plastic Mobile Bar Trolley Table Dal Vera Made in Italy, 1970s
By Dal Vera
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Elevate your interior with this vintage orange bar cart by Dal Vera, an iconic creation of 1970s Italian design. Its striking orange trays and collapsi...
Metal
Mategot Bar Trolley, France, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mategot bar trolley, France, 1950s. Black metal base. Vinyl covered tabletop. Castors move prefect.
Metal
$4,000
H 27.17 in W 26.38 in D 18.51 in
Wooden bar trolley ''CR20'' by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1958
By Franco Albini
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare "CR20" trolley in rosewood designed by the famous Italian architect and designer Franco Albini for the Poggi company, Italy. it is an authentic icon of style, which perfectly ...
Wood
Bar Trolley Made in Denmark
Located in Weesp, NL
Elegant 1980s bar trolley made in Denmark by Indan Design. Measurements: D.62 x H.57 cm.
$1,882
H 23.23 in W 25.6 in D 19.69 in
Bar Trolley Model PT10 in Teak by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960's
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Bar Trolley in Teak by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960's A beautifully restored tea or serving trolley by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, designed in the 1960's. The piece stands out for i...
Metal
1960s Serving trolley, Johannes Andersen
By CFC Silkeborg, Johannes Andersen
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic serving trolley from the 1960s by Johannes Andersen for CFC Silkeborg. Solid teak frame with three shelves in teak veneer and metal castors. Quality Features: accomplis...
Teak
Italian Bamboo Trolley Bar, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian bamboo trolley bar, 1960s. Dimensions: H= 82 cm; W= 72 cm; D= 41 cm.
Bamboo
Luigi Massoni Italian Midcentury Trolley Bar for Guzzini, 1970's
By Guzzini, Luigi Massoni
Located in Lisboa, PT
This trolley was designed by Luigi Massoni for Guzzini, in Italy during the 1970's. The trolley features two trays, made of off-white plastic. The two removable circular trays sit within the triangular structures with white wheels. The trays have a diameter of 56 centimeters. One wheel...
Plastic
70's bar trolley by Allegri Parma
By Arredamenti Allegri
Located in Catania, IT
Imagine an object that combines the most refined functionality with a taste for timeless design: the Allegri Parma serving trolley. A furnishing accessory that is not limited to bein...
Metal
Vintage Rosewood Bar by Arne Vodder
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century bar table in rosewood by Arne Vodder for Sibast. This versatile piece can be used as a coffee or occasional side table and includes four sliding drawers. Black laminate t...
Metal
Sold
H 34.75 in W 34 in D 20.25 in
Danish Rosewood Bar Cart by Arne Vodder. Leather expandable drop leaf top.
By Arne Vodder
Located in Kansas City, MO
Portable bar carts don't get any better than this. Brazilian rosewood, 34" wide, with a drop leaf leather top that expands to 56" wide. The leather...
Steel