Warm, exceptionally versatile and crafted with a range of appealing materials, vintage Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen furniture showcases the Danish duo’s penchant for innovation and durable design. For decades, the pair created sleek coffee tables, seductive lounge chairs and other pieces that are characterized by the practicality and elegance commonly attributed to Scandinavian modernism.
Both Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen attended what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, with Mølgaard-Nielsen having completed his studies under the Danish furniture design pioneer and architect Kaare Klint. Trained as an architect and cabinetmaker, Hvidt established his own firm in 1940 and taught at his alma mater for a few years. After they won a design competition held in Stockholm, Hvidt partnered with Mølgaard-Nielsen in 1944 to establish their firm in Copenhagen.
The collaboration between Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen yielded more than 250 designs and lasted over 30 years. Aside from having created a wardrobe for the Queen of Denmark as well as numerous architectural structures, the pair’s flagship achievements include 1944’s teak Portex chair, which is Denmark’s first-ever stacking chair (and is occasionally attributed to Hvidt alone), and the AX chair.
A masterpiece of technical expertise and innovative woodworking, the sculptural AX armchair shares commonalities with the work of legendary Finnish designer Alvar Aalto — whose output included similarly curvaceous seating such as the Paimio armchair, often designed in partnership with his wife, Aino. It features double-curved laminated wood in the seat and back — which could be mass-produced — and is an early example of knock-down furniture. This meant that it could be easily dismantled and assembled at its destination, which rendered the chair economical for transport on cargo ships and therefore could reach a worldwide audience.
While vintage Hvidt & Mølgaard furniture isn’t as popular as the work of Finn Juhl, a like-minded Danish modernist who helped popularize Scandinavian design in America as well as the use of teak in furniture, the innovative AX chair is similarly as expressive and inviting as Juhl’s seating. The AX was designed in collaboration with manufacturer Fritz Hansen during the late 1940s and went into production in 1950. It gave way to a series that includes tables and other types of seating.
Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen collaborated regularly with Fritz Hansen, France & Søn and Søborg Møbelfabrik. Their work can be found in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen’s Design Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.
Find vintage Hvidt & Mølgaard dining tables, coffee tables, modular sofas, storage cabinets and more on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century modern scandinavian sofa 2 seats FD451
By France & Søn, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century modern scandinavian sofa 2 seats FD451 by Peter Hvidty & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France and Søn. Teak and canne. New cover. Referenced by the Design Museum Danmark und...
Fabric, Teak
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Walnut, Silk
$2,200
H 29.73 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless com...
Leather, Beech
$70,142
H 34.26 in W 53.15 in D 31.5 in
Rare Kaare Klint Box sofas in Mahogany & Niger Leather, Scandinavian Modern
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen snedkerier. A stunning pair of rare Kaare Klint Model no. 4118S two-seater box-shaped sofas with profiled cross legged mahogany frame. (Also called X-Bas...
Leather, Mahogany
$3,500
H 29.93 in W 81.89 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Mogens Hansen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern three-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, generous proportions, and inviting c...
Leather, Beech
$2,200
H 29.53 in W 56.3 in D 32.29 in
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in brown leather, resting on legs made from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless comfort, the pie...
Leather, Beech
Beice 3-Seat Sofa
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
Beice is a 3-seat sofa designed to mimic the feeling of sitting on cotton candy clouds. The combination of its powder pink color, arc shaped back rests, round edges and sphere walnut...
Wood
$3,900
H 25.6 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Danish Mid Century Two Seater Sofa in Oak, Reupholstered, by Tage Poulsen, 1960s
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely 2 seater sofa in oak, reupholstered in a vintage fabric stored from the 1980s. Designed by Danish architect Tage Poulsen, model TP632. Designed in 1962. This sofa can be free...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
Beice 3-Seat Sofa with Yellow Patterned Fabric
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
Beice is a 3-seat sofa designed to mimic the feeling of sitting on cotton candy clouds. The combination of its yellow patterned fabric, arc shaped back rests, round edges and sphere ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless Mid-Century Modern style Sofa in the manner of Finn Juhl ( Danish 1912- 1989). The sofa features sculptural shape inspired by the Modern free art. The seat and back of the...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 83.08 in D 32.68 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Leather Cromwell Sofa by Arne Norell, 1960s
By Arne Norell
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This Cromwell 3-seater leather sofa was designed by Arne Norell during the 1960s. It is a timeless design and as popular today as it was 60 years ago when it was launched. The sofa is upholstered with high-quality natural leather in shades of earthy brown. The slender form with slightly tilted sides has a modernist character. It has loose seat cushions, backrests and side cushions. The legs were made of oak wood. This Cromwell sofa...
Leather, Wood
$3,956
H 27.56 in W 86.62 in D 37.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Leather Sofa by Jacques Charpentier, France
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sofa from the 1970s in original condition Leather cushions over a brushed steel base Designer Jacques Charpentier Sofa is convertible in a bed , mattress missing.
Stainless Steel
$21,900
H 33.25 in W 92 in D 44 in
20th Century American Lucite Four Seater Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern American four seater Serpentine sofa with two pillows, designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Directional in good condition. The seat backrest of the...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Lucite
Sold
H 31.5 in W 15.75 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Sofa 2 Seats FD451 by Hvidt & Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian sofa 2 seats FD451 by Peter Hvidty & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France and Søn. Teak and canne. New cover. Refe...
Fabric, Teak
Minerva Day Bed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Minerva daybed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Matress and back will be reupholstered with fabric of your choice. The price includes the renovation.
Teak
Minerva Day Bed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Minerva daybed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Matress and back will be reupholstered with fabric of your choice. The price includes the renovation.
Teak
Minerva Day Bed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Minerva day bed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Matress back and side cushions will be reupholstered with fabric of your choice. The price includes the renovation.
Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 63.78 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Sofa 2 Seats FD451 by Peter Hvidty & Orla Mølga
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian sofa 2 seats FD451 by Peter Hvidty & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France and Søn. Teak and canne. Original cover ...
Teak