When the Copenhagen-based furniture maker Fritz Hansen opened for business more than 140 years ago, the company — which today styles itself The Republic of Fritz Hansen — adhered to the traditional, time-honored Danish values of craftsmanship in woodworking and joinery. Yet thanks to the postwar innovations of Arne Jacobsen and others, Fritz Hansen would become the country’s leader in Scandinavian modern design using new, forward-looking materials and methods.
Fritz Hansen started his company in 1872, specializing in the manufacture of small furniture parts. In 1915, the firm became the first in Denmark to make chairs using steam-bent wood (a technique most familiar from birch used in the ubiquitous café chairs by Austrian maker Thonet). At the time, Fritz Hansen was best known for seating that featured curved legs and curlicue splats and referenced 18th-century Chippendale designs.
In the next few decades, the company promoted simple, plain chairs with slatted backs and cane or rush seats designed by such proto-modernist masters as Kaare Klint and Søren Hansen. Still, the most aesthetically striking piece Fritz Hansen produced in the first half of the 20th century was arguably the China chair of 1944 by Hans Wegner — and that piece, with its yoke-shaped bentwood back- and armrest, was based on seating manufactured in China during the Ming dynasty. (Wegner was moved by portraits he’d seen of Danish merchants in the Chinese chairs.)
Everything changed in 1952 with Arne Jacobsen’s Ant chair. The collaboration between the architect and Fritz Hansen officially originated in 1934 — that year, Jacobsen created his inaugural piece for the manufacturer, the solid beechwood Bellevue chair for a restaurant commission. The Ant chair, however, was the breakthrough.
With assistance from his then-apprentice Verner Panton, Jacobsen designed the Ant chair for the cafeteria of a Danish healthcare company called Novo Nordisk. The chair was composed of a seat and backrest formed from a single piece of molded plywood attached, in its original iteration, to three tubular metal legs. Its silhouette suggests the shape of the insect’s body, and the lightweight, stackable chair and its biomorphic form became an international hit.
Jacobsen followed with more plywood successes, such as the Grand Prix chair of 1957. The following year he designed the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and its furnishings, including the Egg chair and the Swan chair. Those two upholstered pieces, with their lush, organic frames made of fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane, have become the two chairs most emblematic of mid-20th-century cool. Moreover, the Egg and Swan led Fritz Hansen to fully embrace new man-made materials, like foam, plastic and steel wire used to realize the avant-garde creations of later generations of designers with whom the firm collaborated, such as Piet Hein, Jørn Utzon (the architect of the Sydney Opera House) and Verner Panton. If the Fritz Hansen of 1872 would not now recognize his company, today’s connoisseurs certainly do.
Find a collection of vintage Fritz Hansen tables, lounge chairs, sofas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Piet Hein Coffee Table by Arne Jacobsen, Teak & Aluminum, 1960s
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Piet Hein & Arne Jacobsen coffee table with later plate of new veneered teak. Four star base of aluminium and steel. Made by Fritz Hansen.
Teak
1950s Mølgaard & Hvidt AX Coffee Table Teak and Beech for Fritz Hansen, Denmark
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Fritz Hansen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage AX coffee table by the Danish architects Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard. The table is made in the 1950s of teak with inlaid beech wood and rema...
Beech, Teak
$1,125
Sofa Table, Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Montclair, NJ
A sofa table with beech top and legs in Ash wood from 1984.
Ash, Beech
Børge Mogensen Folding Table by Fritz Hansen, Beech Wood, 1980s
By Børge Mogensen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen coffee table or folding table. Made in beech. Model 4500, made by Fritz Hansen. Designed for Børge Mogensens Tremmesofa. Measures: Width 60/120.
Beech
Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm coffee table PK61. Executed by Fritz Hansen, Denmark. Dull chromium plated steel and top of black slate. Marked Fritz Han...
Slate, Steel
Coffee Table Made In Black High-Gloss Colour By Piero Lissoni From 2006
By Piero Lissoni, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
This coffee table, designed by Piero Lissoni and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in 2006, is a sophisticated piece that seamlessly blends modern design with high-quality materials. The...
Metal
Coffee Table with Magazine Rack in Teak Wood, Italy 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning coffee table with a side magazine rack made in teak wood. Produced in Italy in the 60s in the style of Ico Parisi. The wood grain of the top are simply amazing and the parti...
Brass
$1,500
H 25 in W 29.25 in D 29.25 in
Teak Side Table by Hvidt & Mølgaard for France & Son, Denmark, Mid Century
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful side or corner table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Son. Solid teak and cane, the table is marked. The height of the cane top is 16.75”.
Cane, Teak
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.75 in Dm 24 in
Midcentury Folding Table, Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1960-1969
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Belmont, MA
Midcentury folding tray table, Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1960-1969, teak. In good original condition, some minor staining on the top. Signe...
Teak
Dining Table by Børge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Model 103 - 'Øresund' addition table in teak. Designed in 1961. Two leaves of 56 cm. Measure: L. 182 cm. Børge Mogensen / Karl Andersson & Son.
Teak
Mid Century Foldable/Expandable Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Montclair, NJ
This foldable coffee table can be expanded to twice its length (from 21.6" to 43.2") and is designed by Børge Mogensen (1914-72). It is manufactured by Karl Andersson & Söner based in Huskvarna, Sweden. It was originally designed around 1964 and this example is probably made at the end of the 60's. The table is made from beach wood and has a beautiful table top veneer inlay made from Masur Birch (with a very distinct birdseye pattern) and fitted clasps in brass. Beside his collaborations with Frederica Furnitures and other Danish manufacturers, Børge Mortensen...
Birch
Coffee Table Made In Teak With Drawer From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
The coffee table crafted from teak and featuring Danish design from the 1960s is a stylish and functional piece of furniture that epitomizes the mid-century modern aesthetic. Teak,...
Teak
$4,972
H 13 in W 32.68 in D 32.68 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table for E. Kold Christensen, 1950 Denmark
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in The Hague, NL
Kold Christensen PK61 Coffee table Minimalist and world known coffee table designed by Poul Kjærholm and manufactured by Ejvind Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1950s. Model No: PK61. This...
Stainless Steel
Coffee Table Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This teak coffee table epitomizes the elegance and craftsmanship of Danish design from the 1960s. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, it boasts a timeless appeal that ad...
Teak
Arne Jacobsen Coffee Table for Fritz Hansen
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arne Jacobsen Coffee Table for Fritz Hansen, c.1950s, Denmark. The coffee table features a teak table top and chrome base. Dimensions 59" width x 25" depth x 19" height. Condition...
Chrome
Midcentury Mosaic Tile and Teak Coffee Table by Berthold Müller, 1960s
By Berthold Muller
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous coffee table with big Mosaic plate with white-off and grey tiles on strong teak table base. Made in Germany in the 1960s by Berthold Müller, Oer...
Stone
Piero Lissoni 9 Occasional Table for Cassina, Italy - New
By Cassina, Piero Lissoni
Located in Berlin, DE
The Price is dependent on the chosen materials. Piero Lissoni produces a series of design tables and low tables that feature modular, cylindrical shapes designed for both home furni...
Marble, Metal
$5,700
H 20 in W 62.75 in D 27.25 in
20th Century, Danish Rosewood Coffee Table by Severin Hansen & Nils Thorsson
By Nils Thorsson, Severin Hansen Jr.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish low sofa table or coffee table in restored Rosewood, in good condition. Designed by Severin Hansen Jr. with a lateral tile insert and blue tile surround by Nils Thorsson, Royal Copenhagen. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1960, Denmark, Scandinavia. Nils Johan Thorvald Thorsson was a Swedish designer and ceramic artist born in 1898, in Esloev, Sweden and passed away in 1975. At the age of thirteen, Thorsson finished his apprenticeship at the Alumina Factory in Copenhagen, after that he went to study at the Royal Danish Academy. Later on, Thorsson was the artistic director of Alumina which he held for forty-one years where he lead a team of well-known, talented designers which included Bethe Breyen, Kari Christensen, as well as others. Severin Hansen was born in 1897 Denmark and passed away in 1964 Denmark...
Rosewood, Ceramic
Arne Jacobsen Coffee Table, Rosewood, Fritz Hansen, 1960s
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Jacobsen round coffee table with plate of veneered rosewood. Three star profilated foot of aluminium. Model 3513, made by Fritz Hansen in the 1960s.
Rosewood
Piet Hein & Arne Jacobsen, Coffee Table
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Piet Hein & Arne Jacobsen coffee table with plate of veenered walnut and alu side. Three star base of aluminium and steel. Made by Fritz Hansen.
Aluminum
Piet Hein & Arne Jacobsen, Coffee Table, Rosewood, 1960s
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Piet Hein & Arne Jacobsen coffee table with originale top of rosewood. Six star base of aluminium and steel. Made by Fritz Hansen.
Rosewood
Sofa Table, Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Montclair, NJ
A sofa table with beech top and legs in Ash wood from 1984.
Ash, Beech
Sold
H 20.48 in W 26.78 in D 18.51 in
Coffe Table in Beech Wood by Søren Hansen for Fritz Hansen, 1940’s
By Fritz Hansen, Søren Hansen
Located in Valby, 84
Rare coffee table in beech wood by Søren Hansen for Fritz Hansen manufactured in the 1940’s. This table is manufactured by the recognised danish manufacturer Fritz Hansen. Søren Hansen was a danish designer and owner of Fritz Hansen, he was the 3 generation of the Fritz Hansen family...
Beech, Lacquer
Sold
H 18.51 in Dm 29.53 in
Scandinavian Modern Coffee Table in Rosewood Designed by Arne Jacobsen, 1987
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Lejre, DK
The coffee table in rosewood designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in 1987 is a beautiful piece of furniture that showcases Jacobsen's signature modernist style....
Metal
Sold
H 12.6 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Coffee Table Model PK61 Glass Top & Stainless Steel Frame By Poul Kjærholm
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
The coffee table, model PK61, embodies the essence of modernist design with its sleek combination of glass and stainless steel. Designed by the renowned Danish architect and designer...
Metal
Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table Fritz Hansen, 1985
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic Minimalist and world known coffee table model PK61 designed by Poul Kjaerhom and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1985. The table has a fantastic original glass top w...
Stainless Steel
Danish Side Table by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1964
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Hägersten, SE
Side table designed by Arne Jacobsen. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark 1964. Made from cast aluminum and laminated walnut tabletop. Signed with manufacturers label with year date ...
Aluminum
Børge Mogensen Folding Table
By Fritz Hansen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen coffee table or folding table. Made in beech. Model 4500, made by Fritz Hansen. Designed for Børge Mogensens Tremmesofa. Measures: Width 60/120.
Beech
Sold
H 20.48 in W 39.38 in D 59.06 in
Piet Hein & Bruno Mathsson Ellipse Sofa Table, Black Aniline Leather
By Piet Hein, Fritz Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Piet Hein & Bruno Mathsson ellipse dining table black aniline leather. Legs in chromed steel. Made by Fritz Hansen.
Chrome
Sold
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 35.44 in
Børge Mogensen Folding Table, Model 4500, in Beech, Fritz Hansen, 1989
By Fritz Hansen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen coffee table or folding table. Made in beech. Model 4500, made by Fritz Hansen 1989. Designed for Børge Mogensens Tremmesofa. Width 60/120.
Beech