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Frits Henningsen

Danish, 1889-1965

Danish cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen never compromised on quality. His furniture is known for its impeccable craftsmanship, and unlike many designers of his day, Henningsen — a dogged perfectionist — rarely permitted any of his pieces to be built outside of his own workshop. Each of his elegant low-profile tables, chairs and sofas feature the clean lines and graceful curves typically associated with vintage mid-century modern and Scandinavian modern furniture.

Henningsen was born in 1889 and apprenticed as a cabinetmaker in the early 1900s. He was mentored by the well-known and respected cabinetmaker I.P. Mørck and completed his apprenticeship at the age of 22.

Henningsen also studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where one of his teachers was legendary furniture designer Kaare Klint, who is frequently called the father of Danish modernism. Henningsen saw Klint as a friendly rival, which motivated him to refine his craftsmanship and technique.

Henningsen traveled throughout Germany, France, and Great Britain to gather knowledge, experience and inspiration. He returned to Copenhagen in 1915 and set up a furniture store and workshop to create and sell his own designs. He also developed relationships with Rud Rasmussen and Carl Hansen & Søn, the only furniture manufacturers he trusted to produce his designs.

Bucking the angular and geometric furniture trends of the time, Henningsen embraced fluid and organic forms. Much of his inspiration came from the Rococo, French Empire and British 17th-century styles he encountered on his travels. The 1930 Heritage chair is a prime example of these influences. It features soft, curving lines and has a sophisticated appeal.

Another piece that showcases Henningsen’s style and craftsmanship is the 1952 Signature chair. A striking work that features an inviting curved seat atop sinuous carved wood legs, the Signature chair was his last design.

The straightforward and timeless style of Henningsen furniture continues to enjoy popularity today. In fact, in 2015, Carl Hansen & Son reissued the iconic Signature chair.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Frits Henningsen seating, side tables and cabinets on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$3,792
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Frits Henningsen
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Frits Henningsen Ch 18a
Frits Henningsen Ch 18a
Frits Henningsen Signature Chair
Frits Henningsen Signature Chair
Frits Henningsen Heritage Footstool
Frits Henningsen Heritage Footstool
Frits Henningsen Heritage Chair
Frits Henningsen Heritage Chair
Frits Henningsen Sofa in Walnut and Pink Upholstery
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Frits Henningsen, sofa, walnut, pink fabric, Denmark, 1930s This classic sofa was designed and produced by master cabinet maker Frits Henningsen around the 1930s. The basic design i...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Frits Henningsen

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Frits Henningsen Three-Seat Sofa in Pastel Upholstery
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Frits Henningsen, three-seat sofa, fabric and oak, Denmark, 1940s. This elegant three-seat sofa is made by master cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. This refined sofa is a classic piec...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Frits Henningsen

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Frits Henningsen Lounge Chair in Patterned Upholstery and Wood
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Frits Henningsen, wingback chair, multicolored pastel fabric, stained beech, Denmark 1930s. This modest yet refined armchair is a design piece from designer Frits Henningsen. Crafte...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Frits Henningsen

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Midcentury Desk in Rosewood Designed by Frits Heningsen, 1950s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Freestanding desk in rosewood with three drawers, designed and made by cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, great original condition.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Frits Henningsen

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Desk in Mahogany Designed by Frits Heningsen, 1950s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Freestanding desk in mahogany with three drawers, designed and made by cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, great original condition.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Frits Henningsen

Materials

Mahogany

Sofa Free standing Mahogany And wool-linen fabric By Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Frits Henningsen sofa from 1889-1965. Mahogany sofa made in high quality at own carpentry in 1940-1950. Mahogany refinished with a light French polish. Seat height 45 cm. Newly uphol...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Frits Henningsen

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Rare Frits Henningsen Box Sofa, Denmark, 1940s-1950s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in London, GB
Rare Frits Henningsen box sofa, Denmark, 1940s-1950s. Designed and produced by Frits Henningsen, Copenhagen. Mahogany frame and original wool fabric. Wood frame in good vintage cond...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Frits Henningsen

Materials

Fabric, Wood

FH429 Signature Chair in Walnut Oil with Sif 98 Leather by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Burlington, NJ
The FH429 Signature chair was designed by Frits Henningsen, a cabinetmaker who held his profession to very high standards. Henningsen always manu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Frits Henningsen

Materials

Walnut

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Creators Similar to Frits Henningsen

More Frits Henningsen Designs
Frits Henningsen Ch 18a
Frits Henningsen Ch 18a
Average Price
$7,502
Number Available
3
Frits Henningsen Ch 18a
By Frits Henningsen
Materials
Wood, Oak
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern
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Frits Henningsen Signature Chair
Frits Henningsen Signature Chair
Average Price
$6,267
Number Available
3
Frits Henningsen Signature Chair
By Frits Henningsen
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Oak
Styles
Modern
Designed in 1952 by Frits Henningsen (1889–1965), the simple and elegant Signature chair is demonstrative of the meticulous attention to craftsmanship for which the Danish furniture maker is primarily known. Henningsen began his career as a cabinetmaker — he apprenticed in the early 1900s under I.P. Mørck, a leading figure in the industry, and eventually studied under architect and designer Kaare Klint at the Klint-founded Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where many of his peers in the Dani...
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Frits Henningsen Heritage Footstool
Frits Henningsen Heritage Footstool
Average Price
$1,915
Number Available
2
Frits Henningsen Heritage Footstool
By Frits Henningsen
Materials
Wood, Oak, Walnut
Styles
Modern
Shop All
Frits Henningsen Heritage Chair
Frits Henningsen Heritage Chair
Average Price
$7,415
Number Available
1
Frits Henningsen Heritage Chair
By Frits Henningsen
Materials
Oak, Wood
Styles
Modern
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Frits Henningsen furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Frits Henningsen furniture 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 Frits Henningsen furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 152 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 11 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Frits Henningsen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Grete Jalk, Nanna Ditzel, and Sibast. Prices for Frits Henningsen furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $812 and can go as high as $62,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,697.

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