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.
$688Sale Price|50% Off
1968 Vintage Retro Danisch Bernt Petersen ''The Rag'' orange fabric chair
By Schiang, Bernt Petersen
Located in Markington, GB
1968 Danish Bernt Petersen “The Rag” Chair in Orange Fabric A stunning vintage Danish chair, designed by Bernt Petersen in 1968 and produced by Schiang. This rare piece, known as “T...
Fabric, Wood
$643Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 17.33 in D 17.72 in
Set of Four Scandinavian Modern Chairs, Beech Wood, Red Fabric, 1968
Located in bari, IT
Set of four wooden chairs with red fabric seat of the period Italian production 1960s.
Fabric, Beech
Bernt Petersen Cane Rosewood Egyptian Stool 1957
By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen
Located in London, England
Bernt Petersen - Egyptian Stool, 1957 A rare example of architect Bernt Petersen's most sought after design, know simply as the Egyptian stool. Early in Petersen's career he designe...
Rosewood, Cane
Stool in Rio rosewood by Bernt Petersen
By Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Bernt Petersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Stool in Rio rosewood and wicker by Bernt Petersen.
Cane, Rosewood
$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 Schiang, Bernt Petersen
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
$7,123 / set
H 35.44 in W 25.99 in D 35.44 in
Pair of "Kludestolen" Pine Lounge Chairs by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s-1970s
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Helsinki, FI
A charming pair of “Kludestolen” lounge chairs designed by Bernt Petersen in Denmark during the 1960s–1970s. The chairs feature beautifully constructed pine frames with exposed joine...
Wool, Pine
Vintage Salterini "Orange Slice" Chair
By Salterini
Located in Doylestown, PA
Salterini "Orange Slice" chair. Later professionally restored and powder coated in a vibrant cobalt blue. Great for a patio, terrace or ornamental in a ga...
Iron
Rare Stool with Solid Oak Frame by Bernt Petersen, 1950s
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare stool, designed by Bernt Petersen and produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark during the 1950s, exemplifies the principles of Scandinavian modern design. The stool featu...
Cane, Oak
$8,042 / set
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
Six Mid Century Orange Apricot Kangaroo Chairs, Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968
By Ernst Moeckl
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The z.stuhl chair, designed by Ernst Moeckl (1931-2013) in the 1970s, is a cantilever chair made of polyurethane, which is available with and without armrests. In the vernacular, the...
Fiberglass
Tejo Remy Rag Chair, 1991
By Tejo Remy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tejo Remy (Dutch b. 1960) Rag Chair 1991.
Metal
$1,838
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
Pair of Caned Bergere Chairs by Bernt Peterson
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Caned Bergere Chairs by Bernt Peterson Dimensions: 27"w x 25"d x 28"h Designer: Bernt Petersen Material: Elm Frame w/ Woven Cane and Leathe...
Upholstery, Cane, Elm
$5,800 / set
H 33.5 in W 25.25 in D 35.5 in
Bernt Petersen, Lounge Chairs, Pine, Fabric, Canvas, Denmark, 1960s
By Bernt Petersen
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine, canvas and cream white fabric lounge chairs designed by Bernt Petersen and produced by Collection Fuglsang, Denmark, c. 1960s. In vintage condition, with visible wea...
Fabric, Canvas, Pine
Bernt Petersen Cane Rosewood Lounge Chair 1960s
By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen
Located in London, England
Bernt Petersen - Cane Lounge Chair, c1962 Rare lounge chair produced by Worts Mobelsnedkeri in Denmark. The original cane sides and back are in immaculate condition. The frame is ma...
Wool, Rosewood
$4,825 / set
H 35.44 in W 18.9 in D 16.93 in
Set of Six Walnut Dining Chairs with Orange Fabric in the Style of Parisi, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. Their design is ascribable to Ico Parisi, in particular the shape of the legs. These dining chairs feature a walnut frame and a new orange satin upholstery. The...
Satin, Walnut
$9,478
H 16.15 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Scandinavian Modern Rattan Stool by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1950s
By Bernt Petersen, Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Stunning rosewood and rattan stool by Bernt Petersen. Beautiful, slender design with sculpted legs and a subtly concave seat.
Rattan, Rosewood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 14.97 in D 20.48 in
Danish Modern Side Chair in Rosewood and Leather by Bernt Petersen, 1960s
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Odense, DK
Elegant Danish Modern chair made by cabinetmaker Holger Nissen in the 1960s in his workshop in Denmark. The chair is made from solid rosewood with an amazing grain and the seat is up...
Leather, Rosewood
Set of 8 Arm Chairs in Patinated Leather by Bernt, 1990s
By Bernt Petersen, Søberg Møbler
Located in Lejre, DK
A set of 8 comfortable dinning chairs in patinated leather. Designed by Bernt and made by Søborg furniture. Great original condition.
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 28.75 in W 22.05 in D 18.9 in
Set of Six "Trestle" Side Chairs in Ash and Cork by Bernt, Danish Design, 1970s
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of six side chairs in ash tree and cork. Designed by Bernt Petersen. Original condition, 1970s.
Ash, Cork
Crate Chair by Bernt Petersen for Carl Hansen & Son, Denmark
By Bernt Petersen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Dronten, NL
Modern Scandinavian design with floating seat made of white lacquered plywood. Marked with label. Competitive worldwide shipping available. Please ask for our in-house crating an...
Plywood