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.
$2,025Sale Price|20% Off
Bernt Petersen Modular Sofa in Oak and Saga 180 Fabric, Denmark, 1980
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Hellouw, NL
Bernt Petersen modular sofa in oak and saga 180 fabric from Denmark 1980. This modular sofa can be placed in multiple positions, in total adding to a sofa of ~316 cm. The brown/grey ...
Fabric, Oak
Sofa in Walnut, Cane and Original Leather by Bernt Petersen, 1964
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Walnut, Cane and Original Leather by Bernt Petersen, 1964 Additional Information: Material: Walnut, cane and original leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Wø...
Walnut, Leather, Cane
Bernt Petersen Sofa Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare sofa designed by Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark. Easy chair is also available.
Leather, Cane, Oak
$1,888
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
Illum Wikkelso Leather Sofa in Rosewood and Woven Rattan Cane
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Rare bench by Danish designer Illum Wikkelso Rosewood and wicker structure, fawn leather cushion with a beautiful patina.
Leather, Palisander
Danish Banana Sofa in Muted Teal Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Banana sofa, fabric, stained wood, Denmark, 1940s This voluptuous sofa is based on a solid construction of round shapes and curvaceous lines. The seating area and the backrest are o...
Fabric, Wood
Marco Comolli Sofa in Walnut and Taupe Leather
By Marco Comolli, ICF De Padova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Comolli for I.C.F. De Padova, two-seat sofa, in walnut and taupe leather, Italy, 1965 A highly comfortable sofa by Marco Comolli due to down filling and well-designed proporti...
Leather, Walnut
Bernt Petersen Cane Rosewood Egyptian Stool 1957
By Bernt Petersen, Worts Mobler
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
$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
$19,450Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 23 in W 70 in D 36 in
Original 932-Quartet Leather Sectional Sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1964
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
It doesn't get much cooler than this early year (original) collectors set of the model-932 'Quartet' sectional by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Released in 1964, this example has incredible thick leather hides in a gorgeous patinated cognac color. The leather is remarkable, and with the perfect amount of patina that you want to see - for those leather lovers out there, don't hesitate to buy this Bellini 932...
Leather, Canvas
Aksel Bender Madsen Sofa in Checkered Fabric, Oak and Teak
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Aksel Bender Madsen, sofa, fabric, oak, teak, Denmark, 1960s The designer of this sofa is Aksel bender Madsen (1916-2000) who is known for his classic Mid-Century designs and worked with prominent Danish designers such as Kaare Klint (1888-1954), Ejner Larsen (1917-1987), and Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971), to name a few. This sofa is pure and clean in its appearance due to its lack of unnecessary decoration. In the meantime, the slightly long shaped backrest and the sleek legs create a very calming and weightless appearance. The slightly bent armrests are made out of teak while the rest of the frame is oak. The checkered fabric...
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Mid-Century Danish Sofa in Brown Upholstery, Denmark 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beautiful Danish two-seater sofa is an example of Danish Modern design. With a classic mid-century look, this model is the perfect piece to bring the coveted style into any inte...
Wood, Fabric
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
$1,845 / set
H 48 in W 22 in D 27 in
Pair of 1960's Danish pine high back Bernt Petersen "rag" side - dining chairs
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful pair of mid century Danish high back side or dining chairs by Bernt Petersen. The original linen canvas upholstered cushions tie to the tall angular solid pine frames makin...
Linen, Pine
$87,000
H 33.08 in W 93.31 in D 28.35 in
Unique Jacob Kjaer Sofa in Original Niger Leather and Mahogany
By Jacob Kjaer 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jacob Kjaer, sofa, original Niger leather, brass, stained mahogany, Denmark, 1930s Exemplifying the quintessential essence of Danish design of the thirties, this rare sofa by Jacob...
Brass
Danish Oak Daybed by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Danish daybed by Bernt Petersen with oak frame. The daybed has a backrest cushion that straps to the back frame. In original condition with original mattress and cushion, visible wea...
Oak
Bernt Petersen Two-Seat Sofa, 1970
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bold and comfortable Danish modern two-seat sofa by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1970, oversized oak frame with dual colored cushions on canvas with leather straps.
Leather, Canvas, Upholstery, Oak
Sofa by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen, Worts Mobler
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted and spare four-seat sofa having a caned and geometric oak frame and fine striped wool nailhead upholstery.
Cane, Oak, Wool
Sofa by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen, Worts Mobler
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted and spare three-seat sofa having a caned and geometric oak frame and fine striped wool nailhead upholstery.
Oak, Cane, Upholstery