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.
Frits Henningsen: Pair of side tables with brass hardware c1930
By Frits Henningsen
Located in London, GB
This pair of side tables with single large drawer was made by Frits Henningsen in the 1930s and reflects Frits Henningsen's preference for classical forms in order to deliver on his ...
Hardwood
Frits Henningsen Mahogany Occasional Table
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Frits Henningsen design occasional table, Denmark. Elegant and sophisticated turned mahogany occasional or sofa table. High quality construction techniques and materials used to cr...
Mahogany
$3,500
H 20.48 in Dm 18.12 in
Midcentury Danish Side Table, Solid Mahogany by Cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant side table in mahogany by designer and cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, circa 1945. Great original condition.
Mahogany
$4,500
H 21.66 in Dm 26.78 in
Midcentury Danish Low Table, Solid Mahogany by Cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant low table in mahogany by designer and cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, circa 1945. Great original condition.
Mahogany
Fine Sofa Table by Frits Henningsen 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Fine sofa table with 4 drawers (2 each side) and brass shoes and handles. Produced by the famous danish cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen, Copenhagen Denmark. Made in finest wood and qua...
Wood
Frits Henningsen 1940s Danish Mahogany Desk
By Frits Henningsen
Located in London, England
Frits Henningsen - Mahogany Writing Desk, 1940s Rarely seen design from master cabinetmaker of the early Danish Modern period: Frits Henningsen. Henningsen produced all of his desig...
Mahogany, Oak
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 19 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of Mastercraft Brass Side Tables, circa 1970
By Mastercraft
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Pair of brass side tables by Mastercraft, circa 1970. Chinese Chippendale forms in brushed brass with glass tops. Versatile size could be used as side tables or end tables. Want to s...
Brass
Frits Henningsen Danish Dining Table
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Mahogany dining table, designed by Frits Henningsen, Denmark, circa 1930s. This dining table is currently being refinished and the leaves will be re-veneered, as their veneer was missing when we purchased the set. It expands from a compact 43" circle to an impressive 108.5" oval with all three of it's leaves installed. We also have the matching dining chairs from the same estate currently listed on 1stdibs. Please see last photos. This listing and pricing is for the dining table only.
Metal
Contemporary Italian Pair of Side Tables in Glass and Brass
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary custom pair of chic side, end, or drinks tables in thick beveled glass with small brass handle detail on patinated brass tripod base, Italy, 2023. These modernist side t...
Brass
$8,572 / set
H 18 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of Side Tables, Round Bed Side Tables with Mother of Pearl Inlay in Wood
By Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
Pair of side tables, Mihrab bed side tables with Mother of Pearl Inlay in Wood is inspired by the Mihrab element of Indian architecture, this simp...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Frits Henningsen Mahogany Side Table, Denmark c. 1945
By Fritz Heningsen
Located in Kastrup, DK
This side table or lamp table, designed by Frits Henningsen, features a central pedestal stem that elegantly branches into four feet, all crafted from solid mahogany. The round table...
Mahogany
Russian Mahogany And Brass Mounted Occasional Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top with brass banding over a drawer within the frieze. Brass bosses at top of square tapered legs with stretchers. Previously with H.M Luther Antiques NY...
Brass
$3,500
H 20.87 in Dm 17.72 in
Midcentury Danish Side Table, Solid Mahogany by Cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant side table in mahogany by designer and cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, circa 1945. Great original condition.
Mahogany
$13,172
H 22.45 in Dm 24.41 in
Danish Modern Mahogany Side Table by Frits Henningsen, Denmark, 1930/40s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Rare and very elegant side or console table by Frits Henningsen. Made from mahogany with a rounded table top and profiled rim, standing on a beautiful sculpted three-legged base.
Mahogany
Pair of Frits Henningsen Side Tables, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Danish mahogany side tables, Circa 1940s, by Frits Henningsen, each with a solid circular dished top raised on a turned spreading stem ending with three down curved legs. C...
Mahogany
Pair of Frits Henningsen Side Tables, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Danish mahogany side tables, Circa 1940s, by Frits Henningsen, each with a solid circular dished top raised on a turned spreading stem ending with three down curved legs. T...
Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Mahogany Side Table, Circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian Modern Frits Henningsen rich mahogany side table, circa 1940s, with a circular edged top raised on a clustered stem with four downswept legs.
Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Circular Side Table, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A Danish well figured mahogany and brass-mounted side table designed and produced by Frits Henningsen, circa1940s, the solid circular top with a lipped edge, raised on a wide downswe...
Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Mahogany Side Table, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A Danish mahogany tripod table, circa 1940s, designed and produced by Frits Henningsen, with a circular lipped top raised on a partially spool turned tapered and spreading stem endin...
Mahogany
Scandinavian Modern Frits Henningsen Mahogany Side Table, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian Modern Frits Henningsen rich mahogany side table, circa 1940s, with a circular edged top raised on a clustered stem with four downswept legs.
Mahogany
Scandinavian Modern Frits Henningsen Mahogany Side Table, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian Modern Frits Henningsen rich mahogany side table, circa 1940s, with a circular edged top raised on a clustered stem with four downswept legs.
Mahogany
Side Tables by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of mahogany framed side tables with "spider" legs and a leather top. Designed and manufactured by Frits Henningsen. Price shown is for the pair of tables. Denmark, circa 1940s.
Leather, Mahogany
Side Table by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circular side table in mahogany with a column stem and four star base. There is a matching table available that is slightly shorter and measures 22.5" in height, the diameter is th...
Mahogany
Scandinavia Modern Frits Henningsen Side Table, circa 1940s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavia Modern Frits Henningsen mahogany side table, circa 1940s, with a circular edged top raised on a clustered stem with four downswept legs.
Frits Henningsen Side Table
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A Danish mahogany tripod table, circa 1940s, designed and produced by Frits Henningsen, with a circular lipped top raised on a partially spool turned tapered and spreading stem endin...
Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Side Table
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A Danish mahogany tripod table, circa 1940s, designed and produced by Frits Henningsen, with a circular lipped top raised on a partially spool turned tapered and spreading stem endin...