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.
$1,265Sale Price|44% Off
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.
Pine
French Provincial Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Provincial veneered and mahogany extending dining table, the crossbanded rectangular top opening to accommodate one additional leaf, the veneered frieze above square tapering and s...
Wood
$4,830Sale Price|30% Off
H 29 in Dm 45 in
Massive Mid century Rosewood Danish Extension Dining Table by Henning Kjærnulf
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Massive mid century Rosewood Danish extension dining table with (3) leaves by Henning Kjærnulf. This table is very high quality hand built by Danish furniture makers, made in Denmark...
Rosewood
Regency Mahogany Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany, figured mahogany veneered and crossbanded extending dining table, the rectangular top opening to accommodate two additional self-storing leaves, the paneled satinwood ven...
Wood
$2,180
H 27.76 in Dm 43.31 in
Danish Modern Round Pine Dining Table with Extension Leaves, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming Danish Modern round dining table crafted in solid pine, produced in Denmark during the 1970s. The table features a clean and functional design with warm natural tones and ...
Pine
$16,000
H 29.14 in W 165.36 in D 47.25 in
Black and cream lacquered wood dining table with 3 extensions
By Maison Jansen
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Black and cream lacquered wood dining table with 3 extensions, each extension has legs that fold to an exceptional length of 240 cm to 420 cm the quality is beautiful probably made b...
Wood
Coastal Breeze Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Coastal Extension Dining Table, a rectangular dining table crafted with wire-brushed cerused pine in our Sea Salt finish. This is the perfect dining space to seat eight guests and wi...
Wood
Danish Large Dining or Conference Table in Oregon Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Conference or large dining table, Oregon pine, Denmark, 1960s Impressive in its size, this Danish table can be used in multiple settings. As a very large dining table to fit many r...
Pine
Swedish Painted Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A simple, clean-lined, and elegant Swedish Neo Classic style extension dining table. A modern interpretation of a 19th-century Swedish design, this extension dining table is ideal am...
Wood
Modern Dining Table with Extension
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This modern dining table with extension is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. The table can be made with or without an e...
Walnut
Modern Classical Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern classical extension dining table with a swirl mahogany veneer on brass castors with one self-storing extensions leaf. Open dimensions: 88" W x 42" D x 30" H Closed: 64" W x ...
Wood
Large Dining Table with Two Extension Boards
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice large mid century modern dining table with 2 x 26" leaves.
Walnut
French Provincial Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Provincial 59" Solid walnut-topped circular dining table with a rustic finish showing exposed saw marks set on a substantial baluster stem base, the table extending via an ing...
Walnut
French Provincial Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Provincial Extension dining table with a draw leaf top, self-storing leaves on a sage-painted trestle end stretcher bas...
Wood
MCM Walnut Extension Dining Table with Sunburst Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Round Extension Dining Table with Sunburst Top & Brass Stretcher Base A beautifully crafted vintage Mid-Century Modern dining table featuring an eye-ca...
Brass
Regency Extension Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Regency style figured mahogany veneered dining table, the rectangular reeded edge and satinwood banded top extending to accommodate one additional leaf, on two gun-barrel ...
Brass
Dining Table in Rosewood by Bernt Petersen, 1960's
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Dining Table in Rosewood by Bernt Petersen, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Holger Nissen in Denmark Dimensions (W x D...
Rosewood
Drop Leaf Dining Table in Rosewood by Ole Wanscher, 1960s
By Eilersen 1, Bernt Petersen
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table in rosewood. Designed by Ole Wanscher for A.J.Iversen cabinetmakers. Made in Denmark, 1960s. Great original condition. Total width: 163 cm.
Rosewood
Sold
H 26.78 in W 40.16 in D 35.44 in
Drop Leaf Dining Table in Scandinavian Pine by Bernt Petersen, 1960s
By Eilersen 1, Bernt Petersen
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table in Scandinavian solid pine. Designed by Bernt Pedersen for Eilersen cabinetmakers. Made in Denmark, 1960s. Great original condition. Total...
Pine