Architect and designer Bernt Petersen created a range of minimalist Scandinavian modern furniture that is today prized by collectors. His vintage desks, chairs, tables and other pieces for manufacturers such as Wørts Møbelsnedkeri and Søborg Møbelfabrik were made largely in light woods such as ash and beech, and his work is recognizable by its fluid architectural qualities and impeccably clean lines.
Just as other Danish modernists such as Hans Wegner, Børge Mogensen and Finn Juhl had, Petersen prioritized function over form and believed in the honesty of the materials with which he worked. He strived to create durable pieces for the home and adhere to the principles of traditional craftsmanship.
Petersen’s work was free of opulent ornamentation and surface embellishments — he created inviting high-backed mahogany dining chairs that were upholstered in leather and understated credenzas in rosewood. His linoleum-topped desks in solid pine stood on slender legs and featured exposed finger joints, which drew attention to his prioritization of age-old woodworking techniques. Vintage editions of his revered Rag chair for Schiang Denmark, framed in pine, offer mid-century elegance and ergonomic comfort for the guests in your living room.
Petersen set on his path of furniture making early, training as a cabinetmaker. He went on to attend the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design, and graduated in 1960. Petersen subsequently worked for a time with Mobilia and for the aforementioned Wegner — a prolific designer of iconic seating and enthusiast of the finest methods in joinery — before opening his own workshop in 1963. Petersen saw a fair amount of success in producing his own furniture, particularly as the popularity of Scandinavian modern furniture had grown around the world and especially in the United States.
Petersen taught at the Denmark Design School from 1973 to 1978, and then went on to lecture at the Royal Danish Academy's Furniture School from 1978 to 1985. He won awards from the Danish Furniture Manufacturers’ Association, the Danish Society of Arts and Crafts, and other organizations.
Find vintage Bernt Petersen tables, seating and storage pieces on 1stDibs.
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant armchairs by Bernt Petersen, with rosewood frames and comfortable natural leather seats and backs. Smooth lines with nicely contrasting materials. Leather in very goo...
Leather, Wood
$3,344Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Midcentury Scandinavian Modern Mahogany Armchair with French Wicker
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This very rare armchair was designed in 1964 by Bernt Petersen for the Danish manufacture Wørts Møbelsnedkeri during the 1960s. The frame of the armchair is made of light mahogany wo...
Wicker, Mahogany
$1,746Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 31.89 in W 26.78 in D 25.2 in
Pair of Danish Cocktail Lounge Chairs, C.1950
Located in London, GB
An elegant pair of original Danish cocktail chairs dating from C.1950. The original upholstery and fabric are presented in excellent vintage con...
Fabric, Upholstery
Pair of Swedish Oversized Lounge Chairs, 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful pair of oversized Swedish lounge chairs, 1960, with original beige floral upholstery with colorful accents and fluted teak legs, the hazelnut brown fabric on the sides of t...
Upholstery, Teak
$19,600
H 36.03 in W 25.6 in D 27.96 in
Brazilian Armchair with High Backrests by Giuseppe Scapinelli, 1950s, Midcentury
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in New York, NY
This armchair in solid Caviuna with high backrests was designed by Giuseppe Scapinelli (1911-1982) in the 1950s. The piece has slatted backrests with thin vertical rods and comfortab...
Silk, Organic Material, Hardwood
$1,440Sale Price|58% Off
H 28.5 in W 26 in D 28.5 in
Vintage Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold Teak Lounge Chair-Denmark, 1960s
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lovely and dynamically-proportioned lounge or easy chair attributed to Arne Hovmand-Olsen and manufactured by Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik (metal manufacturer's stamp to underside) in sculpted teak and original boucle wool upholstery. Deeply patinated teak lends visual contrast against the off-white upholstery. Completely original condition down the the seat straps and brass hardware. Sophisticated seat cushion and backrest mounting system consisting of custom brass spacers which create a suspended effect to the panels keeping the design very airy and light. Hovmand-Olsen’s designs span seating, tables, and secretaries, all of which are characteristically simple in form with clean lines, organic curves, and tapered legs. Like many of his Danish contemporaries, he favored the use of high-quality, beautifully grained woods like teak and rosewood. Notable designs include his Model 175 chair (1955)—which is often mistaken for N.O. Møller’s Model 77 chair...
Brass
Pair of Danish Lounge Chairs, 1960s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of lounge chairs on a smooth wooden frame with elegantly curved armrests and slatted backrests. The armchairs are each fitted with a seat and backrest cushion. The cushions have...
Fabric, Beech
$3,450 / set
H 34.75 in W 82.5 in D 391 in
Bernt Petersen 'Kludestolen' Oak Lounge Chairs, Denmark, 1970s — Set of 3
By Bernt Petersen, Schiang
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three 'Kludestolen' lounge chairs by Danish designer Bernt Petersen, produced in Denmark in the 1970s. Each chair features a solid oak frame with a natural hand-wax finish and...
Leather, Canvas, Oak
Adrian Pearsall Style Midcentury Armchair
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern high back armchair in the style of Adrian Pearsall. Nice walnut legs and shaped front giving it a distinct Pearsall flair, with an elegant narrowing back. Should be re...
Fabric
$3,200
H 29.14 in W 27.17 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Mid-Century Scandinavian Teak Lounge Chair Armchair, Denmark, 1960
By Grete Jalk
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-century teak lounge chair armchair, Denmark 1960. Set of 2 ! New uoholstery in torquois blue.
Fabric, Teak
$1,924
H 37.8 in W 25.2 in D 35.44 in
Set of Danish "Rag" Easy Lounge Chairs in Pine and Fabric by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Rare and very sought after set of easy lounge chair designed by Bernt Petersen for Schiang Furniture of Denmark in 1966. Oak frames with loose cushions in seat and back upholstered w...
Wool, Oak
Vintage Danish Lounge Chair by Aage Pedersen for Getama, 1960s
By GETAMA
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish lounge chair GE-88 by Aage Pedersen for GETAMA Denmark 1960s. Danish modern lounge chair model GE88 designed by the owner of the GETAMA f...
Teak
Midcentury Scandinavian Bruksbo Safari Chairs
By Bruksbo
Located in Karlstad, SE
A pair of very rare safari chairs by Brukso / Stranda, Norway. These chairs are not only a pleasure for the eye, but also very comfortable. They are uphol...
Leather, Beech
Vintage Danish Lounge Chair by Aage Pedersen for Getama, 1960s
By GETAMA
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish lounge chair GE-88 by Aage Pedersen for GETAMA Denmark 1960s. Danish modern lounge chair model GE88 designed by the owner of the GETAMA f...
Teak
Sold
H 39.77 in W 24.41 in D 25.6 in
Bernt Petersen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Pair of Dining Chairs in Leather
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bernt Petersen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, pair of dining chairs, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s Elegant and comfortable pair of dining chairs designed by Bernt Petersen in the 196...
Leather, Mahogany
Bernt Pedersen pair of Armchairs, Mahogany and Cane
By Erik Wørts, Bernt Petersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bernt Pedersen pair of armchairs with mahogany frame and cane back. Original black leather upholstery. Made by Wørtz Snedkeri.
Cane, Mahogany
Pair of Mid-Century Bernt Petersen 'Easy' Armchairs
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of Danish 'Easy' armchairs by Bernt Petersen. Bernt Petersen was a Danish furniture designer. Trained as a cabinetmaker, he attended Denmark's Design School, graduating in 1960...
Upholstery, Beech
Armchair by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Armchair in pitch pine and paper cord. Bernt Petersen / Schiang
Pine
Bernt Petersen Lounge Chairs & Ottoman, 1970
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bold and comfortable pair of Danish modern lounge chairs and ottoman 'Kludestolen' by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1970, oversized oak frames with newly upholstered off-white linen cushi...
Canvas, Upholstery, Pine
Bernt Pedersen Armchair, Ash and Cane
By Bernt Petersen, Erik Wørts
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bernt Pedersen armchair with ash frame and cane back. Original tan leather upholstery. Made by Wørtz Snedkeri.
Cane, Ash
Bernt Pedersen Set of Armchairs, Mahogany and Cane
By Bernt Petersen, Erik Wørts
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bernt Pedersen set of armchairs with mahogany frame and cane back. Original black leather upholstery. Made by Wørtz Snedkeri.
Cane, Mahogany
Pair of Leather Armchairs by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen, Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant armchairs by Bernt Petersen, with rosewood frames and comfortable natural leather seats and backs. Smooth lines with nicely contrasting materials. Leather in very goo...
Leather, Mahogany
Bernt Petersen Lounge Chairs, 1970
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bold and comfortable pair of Danish modern lounge chairs 'Kludestolen' by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1970, oversized pine frames with dual colored pinstripe cushions on canvas.
Canvas, Upholstery, Pine
Pair of Bernt 304 Armchairs
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Long Island City, NY
These beautifully proportioned chairs were designed by Bernt Petersen, a cabinetmaker often known simply as Bernt, who trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and worked for...
Leather, Wood, Cane
Bernt Petersen Lounge Chairs
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bold and comfortable pair of Danish modern lounge chairs by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1970, oversized oak frames with dual colored cushions on canvas with leather straps.
Leather, Canvas, Upholstery, Oak
Bernt Petersen lounge chair for Carl Hansen Denmark 1982
By Bernt Petersen, Carl Hansen
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Exceptional lounge chair designed by Bernt Petersen for Carl Hansen, Denmark 1982. This amazing chair has a nice floating seat made of blue lacquered plywood slats, and the back as w...
Wood