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Bernt Petersen Tables

Danish, 1937-2017

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.

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Creator: Bernt Petersen
Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk
Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk

Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk

By Rud Rasmussen, Bernt Petersen

Located in London, England

Bernt Petersen Mahogany Writing Desk, circa 1950s An exceptional 4-drawer desk from Danish designer Bernt Petersen and made by master cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. The legs, drawer f...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Coffee Table in Rosewood by Bernt Petersen, Denmark
Midcentury Coffee Table in Rosewood by Bernt Petersen, Denmark

Midcentury Coffee Table in Rosewood by Bernt Petersen, Denmark

By Bernt Petersen, Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri

Located in Kastrup, DK

Coffee table in rosewood by danish architect Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts, 1958. Original untouched and in good condition.

Category

Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Rosewood

1960s Bernt Peterson, 3 Large Hardwood Side-Tables, Made by Rud Rasmussen
1960s Bernt Peterson, 3 Large Hardwood Side-Tables, Made by Rud Rasmussen

1960s Bernt Peterson, 3 Large Hardwood Side-Tables, Made by Rud Rasmussen

By Rud Rasmussen, Bernt Petersen

Located in London, GB

1960s Bernt Peterson, 3 Large Mahogany Side-Tables, Made by Rud Rasmussen. In great structural condition. Re-polishing in progress.

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Pine Bench by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s
Pine Bench by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s

Pine Bench by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s

By Bernt Petersen

Located in Karis, Nyland

Bernt Petersen Danish for Eilersen coffee table / bench in pine with Danish Control sticker on underside.

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Pine

Rosewood Coffee Table by Bernt Petersen for Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1960s
Rosewood Coffee Table by Bernt Petersen for Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1960s

Rosewood Coffee Table by Bernt Petersen for Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1960s

By Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Bernt Petersen

Located in Stockholm, SE

Elegant rosewood coffee table by Bernt Petersen, with a smooth top. Amazing slender design with beautifully sculpted feet.

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Bernt Peterson  Double Drop Leaf Table Desk with Free Standing Return
Bernt Peterson  Double Drop Leaf Table Desk with Free Standing Return

Bernt Peterson Double Drop Leaf Table Desk with Free Standing Return

By Bernt Petersen

Located in Minneapolis, MN

Bernt Peterson designed minimalist drop-leaf office table desk in oak. This is a substantial and well constructed table finished with spare but eleg...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Tables

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Oak

Nice and Massive Oregon Pine Dining Table with Wonderful Slat Extension
Nice and Massive Oregon Pine Dining Table with Wonderful Slat Extension

Nice and Massive Oregon Pine Dining Table with Wonderful Slat Extension

By Bernt Petersen

Located in Munich, DE

By Bernt Petersen. Two extensions 48cm (18.9 inch)/each. Chairs are sold.

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Pine

Bernt Pedersen Coffee Table in mahogany and formica, 1960s, Denmark
Bernt Pedersen Coffee Table in mahogany and formica, 1960s, Denmark

Bernt Pedersen Coffee Table in mahogany and formica, 1960s, Denmark

By Bernt Petersen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Bernt Pedersen coffee table made in solid mahogany. Made in Denmark in the 1960s.

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Formica, Mahogany

Bernt Petersen Ash Wood Coffee Table
Bernt Petersen Ash Wood Coffee Table

Bernt Petersen Ash Wood Coffee Table

By Bernt Petersen, Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri

Located in Kastrup, DK

Coffee table in ash wood by Danish furniture designer Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts for Rud Rasmussen, c. 1966. Untouched condition with normal signs of age and use.  

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Ash

Coffee table Designed by Bernt Petersen for joinery master Henrik Wørts
Coffee table Designed by Bernt Petersen for joinery master Henrik Wørts

Coffee table Designed by Bernt Petersen for joinery master Henrik Wørts

By Bernt Petersen

Located in Stockholm, SE

This rectangular coffee table by Bernt Petersen is a well-considered example of Danish modern design, defined by clarity of form and careful attention to material. Crafted in richly ...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Large Elmwood Desk by Bernt Petersen
Large Elmwood Desk by Bernt Petersen

Large Elmwood Desk by Bernt Petersen

By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen

Located in San Francisco, CA

A substantial elm wood desk by Bernt Petersen for Henrik Worts featuring 2 locking drawers.

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

Materials

Elm

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Bernt Petersen Danish Mahogany 4 Drawer Desk, 1950s
Bernt Petersen Danish Mahogany 4 Drawer Desk, 1950s

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Bernt Petersen Writing Desk, circa 1960s Produced by master cabinetmakers Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark. Solid mahogany and mahogany veneer construction with 2 drawers on either side.

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Drop Leaf Dining Table in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher, 1960s

Drop Leaf Dining Table in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher, 1960s

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Bernt Petersen Mahogany Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Bernt Petersen Mahogany Bureau Plat Writing Desk

Bernt Petersen Mahogany Bureau Plat Writing Desk

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Bernt Petersen Mahogany Bureau Plat Writing Desk

By Bernt Petersen

Located in Kastrup, DK

Bernt Petersen 1937-2017. Large mahogany bureau plat writing desk. 4 drawers with original brass fittings. Produced in Denmark by Wørst in the...

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Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Tables

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Bernt Petersen Danish Mahogany Writing Desk, 1950s
Bernt Petersen Danish Mahogany Writing Desk, 1950s

Bernt Petersen Danish Mahogany Writing Desk, 1950s

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Bernt Petersen Danish Mahogany Writing Desk, 1950s

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Bernt Petersen designed desk, produced in Denmark by master cabinetmakers Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark in the 1950s. Solid mahogany legs and drawer fronts, veneer top. Solid oak drawer in...

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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Tables

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Mahogany

Bernt Petersen tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Bernt Petersen tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Bernt Petersen tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables by Bernt Petersen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by Ludvig Pontoppidan, Cado, and Heltborg Møbler. Prices for Bernt Petersen tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,094 and can go as high as $8,358, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,930.

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