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.
Bernt Petersen blue Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Bernt Petersen
Located in Skokie, IL
Bernt Petersen blue Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982. Armchair in beech, with seat and back in plywood. The aim of this design was to create an easychair without upho...
Beech
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
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
Bernt Petersen Cane Rosewood Lounge Chair 1960s
By Bernt Petersen, Worts Mobler
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
$3,331Sale 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
Bernt Petersen Easy Chair Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair designed by Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark.
Leather, Cane, Oak
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
Bernt Petersen Red Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Bernt Petersen
Located in Skokie, IL
Bernt Petersen Red Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982. Armchair in beech, with seat and back in plywood. The aim of this design was to create an easychair without uphol...
Beech
$3,250
H 31 in W 26.75 in D 29.5 in
Danish Easy Chair with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen, 1940's
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic elegant Danish lowback easy armchair from the 1940s by Alfred Christensen for Slagelse Mobelvaerk with open armrests in beautifully curved mahogany stained beech. Nice low el...
Wool, Beech
1960's Arne Wahl Iversen Easy Chairs by Komfort, Denmark
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Komfort
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of easy chairs model no. 30 designed by Arne Wahl Iversen, manufactured by Komfort, Denmark, 1960. These comfortable chairs have solid teak wooden frames and white upholstered c...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,705Sale 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 Scandinavian Armchairs, Marked, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of Scandinavian armchairs with velvet cushions are made of exotic wood. These armchairs have a nice design and are marked. The...
Wood
Danish Easy Chair, 1940-1950
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish high back easy chair, 1940-1950. The seat with coil springs, legs in dark polished beech. Newly upholstered in off-white boucle fabric from Nobilis. The chair is very com...
Bouclé, Beech
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
$5,800 / set
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 27.96 in
Børge Mogensen, A Pair of BM2256 Lounge Chairs in Oak & Hessian, Denmark, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Odense, DK
A pair of BM2256 armchairs by Danish designer Børge Mogensen, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s. Known for his democratic approach to design, Mogensen created this model as part of...
Canvas, Oak, Burlap
Hans Wegner Carl Hansen & Son CH07 Lounge Chair
By Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in New York, NY
It is not an overstatement to describe this chair as iconic, the Hans Wegner model CH07 has firmly established its position in the hierarchy of 20th century design. This example was ...
Upholstery, Plywood
$3,750 / set
H 30 in W 27.75 in D 27 in
Danish Mid-Century Carved Oak Easy Chairs in Oak by Henry Kjaernulf, 1960's
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very cool sought after pair of easy chairs by Danish Designer, Henning (Henry) Kjaernulf made from quarter-sawn white oak and hand carved in a brutalist style inspired to art & ...
Wool, Oak
Scandinavian Midcentury Lounge Chairs by Torbjørn Afdal
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Karlstad, SE
Rare lounge chairs by Torbjørn Afdal model "Studio open", designed in 1965. These chairs consist of a rosewood frame with bouclé cushions. The chairs have beautiful details and were ...
Leather, Wood
$2,316Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 26 in D 26 in
1960s Arne Norell Rosewood Leather Sling Sirocco Safari Lounge Chair Mid-Century
By Scanform, Arne Norell
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The Sirocco safari chair designed by Arne Norell in 1966. This example is in camel-colored leather; with two cushions and slings with brass fittings. Designed to breakdown for flat p...
Leather
Bernt Pedersen lounge chair, cherry and Cane
By Erik Wørts, Bernt Petersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bernt Pedersen pair of lounge chairs with frame of cherry, back and sides from cane. Original full grain aniline leather. Made by Wørtz Snedkeri.
Cane, Leather, Cherry
Sold
H 34.5 in W 26.5 in D 37 in
Pair of Danish "Rag" Easy Lounge Chairs in Oak & Bouclé by Bernt Petersen, 1966
By Schiang, Bernt Petersen
Located in Vienna, AT
Bernt Petersen (1937-2017) 2 oak armchairs with white upholstered Bouclé cushions, Denmark 1966- Priced as a pair. Rare and very sought after pair of easy lounge chair designed by B...
Leather, Bouclé, Oak
Bernt Pedersen lounge chair, mahogany and Cane
By Erik Wørts, Bernt Petersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bernt Pedersen pair of lounge chairs with frame of mahogany, back and sides from cane. Original wool upholstery. Made by Wørtz Snedkeri.
Cane, Mahogany, Wool
Bernt Pedersen lounge chair in oak and Cotil fabric
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bernt Pedersen lounge chair in oak. Original upholstered with Cotil fabric. Model Klude stolen, made by Bernt Pedersen.
Fabric, Oak
Easy chair in mahogany by Bernt Petersen.
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Easy chair in mahogany w. French cane and newer cushions in light textile. Bernt Petersen / Wørts Møbelsnedkeri
Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 27.96 in W 26.78 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Midcentury Danish Lounge Chairs by in Mahogany and Patinated Leather
By Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Bernt Petersen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of elegant lounge chairs in solid mahogany and French caning. Seat cushion in patinated leather. Designed by Danish architect Bernt Pedersen.
Leather, Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 34.65 in W 25.6 in D 47.64 in
The Danish 1960s "Rag" Easy Lounge Chair in Pine by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare and very sought after easy lounge chair designed by Bernt Petersen for Schiang Furniture of Denmark in 1966. Pine frame with loose cushions in seat and back upholstered with the...
Pine
Bernt Pedersen Armchair, Ash and Cane
By Erik Wørts, Bernt Petersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bernt Pedersen armchair with frame of mahogany, back and sides from cane. Original tan leather upholstery. Made by Wørtz Snedkeri.
Cane, Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 31.25 in W 26 in D 29 in
Pair of Danish 1960s Rag Chairs Variant in Oak by Bernt Petersen for Chiang
By Schiang, Bernt Petersen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare variant of Bernt Petersen's "Rag" pair if easy lounge chairs designed for Schiang Furniture of Denmark in late 1960's. Oak frame with loose cushions in seat and back still with ...
Canvas, Oak
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
Sold
H 38.59 in W 26.78 in D 37.41 in
Pair 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 pair of easy lounge chair designed by Bernt Petersen for Schiang Furniture of Denmark in 1966. Pine frames with loose cushions in seat and back upholstered...
Wool, Pine
Sold
H 38.59 in W 26.78 in D 37.41 in
Pair 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 pair of easy lounge chair designed by Bernt Petersen for Schiang Furniture of Denmark in 1966. Pine frames with loose cushions in seat and back upholstered...
Wool, Pine