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.
Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant Danish settee or loveseat from circa 1950s by Master Furniture Maker, Frits Henningsen Solid and sturdy small piece with a strong presence and charming demeanor. Coil springs...
Wool, Beech
Frits Henningsen High-Back Settee, Linen, Mahogany, Denmark, 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A high-backed settee designed by Frits Henningsen, featuring linen fabric upholstery and blackened mahogany legs. Produced by the renowned Danish master cabinetmaker, this piece show...
Linen, Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Danish Modern Loveseat c. 1960's
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Long Island City, NY
Danish Mid Century Modern Loveseat by Frits Henningsen. Newly reupholstered in Newly reupholstered with Kvadrat blended boucle navy ...
Bouclé, Beech
Price Upon Request
Frits Henningsen Settee, Oak Frame, Ivory Leather, Denmark, 1940
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Frits Henningsen settee of oak and its original ivory leather upholstery with nailhead trim. Features a high wingback and half moon armrests. Designed in Denmark, circa 1940.
Leather, Oak
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
Frits Henningsen Danish Modern Lounge Chair with New Upholstery
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Frits Henningsen Danish modern lounge chair. Tastefully reupholstered in grey heather textile with cinnamon accented piping. Solid mahogany legs retain original finish and appearance...
Textile
1940s French Art Deco Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Art Deco settee with rosewood arms and frame from France, 1940s. Striking large circular arms and newly woven seat and back with trestle style feet.
Cane, Rosewood
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
$4,800
H 31.5 in W 59 in D 29 in
Danish Midcentury 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Alfred Christensen designed sofa in his characteristic style of open armrests carved from solid beech wood and made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk in the 1940s. Beautiful ref...
Wool, Beech
$4,750
H 31.25 in W 76.75 in D 31 in
Modern Danish 1950s Sofa with Stained Birch Frame by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Frits Henningsen is famous for his Classic sofa designs most of which were produced between 1935 and late 1940s. This sofa is supposedly one of his later designs a with sharper and m...
Wool, Rosewood
Frits Henningsen 1940s Danish Lounge Chair in Velvet
Located in London, England
Frits Henningsen - Lounge Chair, 1940s An elegant and graceful armchair designed and produced by master cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen c1940s. Henningsen was a key member of the Cop...
Velvet, Beech
Danish 1940's Loveseat with Open Wooden Armrest and Green Striped Wool
By Alfred Christensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very charming loveseat from the 1940's in the style of Alfred Christensen. Maker and Designer is unknown but the style is very similar to designs by Fritz Hansen and Alfred Christens...
Wool, Beech
Midcentury Settee, possibly Finn Juhl /Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl
Located in Richmond, VA
Great, sleek midcentury settee recently upholstered. No markings but very similar to Niels Vodder's model NV53.
Upholstery, Wood
$9,700Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
$10,900Sale Price|22% Off
H 28 in W 54 in D 28 in
PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This highly collected early production original of the PK-31 loveseat sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen has beautifully aged black leather and patinated steel. Designed...
Steel
Fritz Hansen 1940s Sofa or Settee with Open Armrests by Soren Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Frits Hansen/Soren Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Fritz Hansen sofa designed by Soren Hansen in the company's characteristic style of open armrests. Made from stained beech wood showing great blond color and with coi...
Wool, Beech
Classic Midcentury Danish Frits Henningsen Settee, ca. 1950
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Danish settee by the Master himself, Frits Henningsen. Very elegant and stylish yet simple and refined. Comfortable and supportive. Solid and sturdy design. Upholstered at a...
Wool, Beech
Sold
H 32.5 in W 54 in D 27.5 in
Classic Frits Henningsen Settee or Loveseat Danish, Midcentury ca. 1950
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines by one of the early Danish iconic designers made around late 1940's to around 1950. Backrest and seat nice and firm and frame raised on Cuban mahogany ...
Wool, Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Hand-Carved Mahogany Three-Seater Sofa, 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A commodious and elegant piece of historic seating design, here we have a three-seat, eight-leg sofa in by the inimitable Fritz Henningsen in solid hand carved mahogany and gorgeous ...
Wool, Mahogany
1940s Frits Henningsen Salon Suite
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite salon suite by Frits Henningsen, consisting of two armchairs, a settee, and a drop-leaf center table. Made in the 1940s. Henningsen's modern furniture design differed fr...
Velvet, Mahogany
Modern Danish 1950s Sofa with Rosewood Frame by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Frits Henningsen is famous for his Classic sofa designs with flared armrests and wooden frames extending into the tapered legs most of which were produced between 1935 and early 1940...
Wool, Rosewood
Classic Frits Henningsen Settee or Loveseat Danish, Midcentury
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines by one of the early Danish iconic designers made around late 1940's to around 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs remain...
Wool, Mahogany
Wonderful Frits Henningsen Settee
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful Frits Henningsen settee with original fabric in perfect condition. LOCATED IN HAMBURG