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.
Rosewood Coffee Table by Bernt Petersen for Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1960s
By Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Bernt Petersen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant rosewood coffee table by Bernt Petersen, with a smooth top. Amazing slender design with beautifully sculpted feet.
Rosewood
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...
Brass
$4,375
H 19.3 in Dm 47.05 in
Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Poul Cadovius Beautiful Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular Top Inlaid With Brushed Chrome Floral Decoration Made In Denmark 1960's Poul Cadovius (1911 - 2011) was one of the most colourful and successful persons in the history of Danish furniture industry. He was originally educated as an upholsterer but became very interested in design at an early stage, and in 1945 he established his own furniture manufacturing company Royal System. A few years later, in 1948, he designed the iconic shelving system ROYAL...
Steel
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.
Pine
$16,800
H 12.01 in Dm 31.89 in
Round Marble Coffee Table by Celina Decorações, Midcentury Brazilian, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
This round marble coffee table was produced by the Brazilian company Celina Decorações in the 1960s. The piece is composed of a Rosewood structure wi...
Marble
Danish Rosewood Frits Henningsen Coffee Table Circa 1960s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Peabody, MA
A rosewood desk-form coffee table with flanking storage drawers along each side of its length, fitted with brass bail pulls, by Frits Henningsen, Denmark, circa 1960s.
Brass
$7,500
H 16 in W 54 in D 32 in
Large Rectangle Walnut One Drawer Paul McCobb Coffee Table for Calvin 1960s Mint
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large rectangle walnut one drawer Paul McCobb coffee table for Calvin 1960s MINT.
Brass
$5,775Sale Price|30% Off
H 21.6 in W 13.44 in D 49.2 in
Danish Mid-Century Brazilian Rosewood Coffee Table
By Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel
Located in Montclair, NJ
Rectangular Brazilian rosewood coffee table. Rail with drawers and shelves. Manufactured by CFC Silkeborg, with maker's metal tag. CFC ...
Rosewood
Graphic Scandinavian Teak Coffee Table with Glass Top, 1960s
Located in Voorburg, NL
Scandinavian teak two-tiered coffee table with a glass top manufactured in the 1960s. The glass top is nicely etched around the sides. Very nice graphic design with clean and simple ...
Glass, Teak
Modern Rosewood Westnofa Coffee Table
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Unknown. Manufacturer: Westnofa. Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Rosewood Condition: This modern rosewood Westnofa coffee table is in excellent restored c...
Rosewood
$2,041
H 19.69 in W 29.53 in D 59.06 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Large Teak Coffee Center Table, Glostrup Denmark 1960s
By Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Vintage midcentury large rectangular long coffee or center table with rounded edges and corners by Glostrup Møbelfabrik, made in Denmark, circa 1965. This beautifully constructed solid teak table features solid wooden flat legs and a curved wooden table...
Teak
$2,671
H 18.9 in W 59.85 in D 22.45 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Coffee Table by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1960s
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Rare coffee table by Arne Jacobsen, manufactured in the 1960s. This coffee table is sold with a valid CITES document. Seltener Couchtisch von Arne Jacobsen, hergestellt in den 196...
Rosewood
$4,000
H 14.97 in W 44.1 in D 20.87 in
Midcentury Low Table in Rosewood by Poul Nørreklit, Danish Design, 1960s
By Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik, Poul Nørreklit
Located in Lejre, DK
Low table with rosewood plate and brass frame. Designed by Poul Nørreklit for Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik. Great original condition.
Rosewood