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.
Hvidt and Mølgaard Sculptural High-Back Bordeaux Wingback chair, Denmark 1950s
By Fritz Hansen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Ystad, SE
Hvidt and Mølgaard Sculptural High-Back Bordeaux Wingback chair, Denmark 1950s Elegant and sculptural Danish wingback lounge chair designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen an...
Beech, Upholstery
$3,450 / set
H 39 in W 33.5 in D 34 in
Pair of Danish 1940s Style Large Scale High Back Lounge Chairs with Ottomans
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of great large scale Danish club or lounge chairs of newer fabrication in the style of 1940's chairs but likely made around 2000. We found the chairs in Denmark and based on the looks they appeared to be 1940's but upon closer review we found them to be of much newer date. We liked the look and style very much and decided to offer them here. The chairs are superbly charming and similarly comfortable with a very strong presence to anchor any room. Raised on legs of oak. The chairs were made by Danish manufacturer, Hjort Knudsen...
Wool, Oak
Danish Modern 1940s Wingback Lounge Chair With Wooden Wings
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great example of early Danish midcentury design, circa 1930-40s wingback chair in hand carved solid oak with exposed sides and brass tacks. Sturdy and strong construction of generous...
Wool, Oak
$4,200
H 40.5 in W 32.75 in D 33.5 in
Fritz Hansen 1950s Wingback Chair Model 8023 in Teak Danish Midcentury
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic Danish midcentury wingback chair model 8023 designed by Fritz Hansen and first seen in Fritz Hansen's 1951 catalog. Very elegant design with a slim silhouette and a strong ...
Wool, Teak
Peter Hvidt Orla Molgaard Danish 1950s Highback Lounge Chair
By France & Daverkosen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very cool highback lounge chair made in Denmark around 1950 by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgard for France & Daverkosen. Beautiful harmonious proportions with a slim and tall silhouette ...
Wool, Beech
$1,920
H 42.52 in W 31.5 in D 32.68 in
Wingback Lounge Chair in Reupholstered Bouclé Fabric, Praque 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Wing Back Lounge chair in Reupholstered Bouclé Fabric, Praque 1950s Large midcentury wingback armchair in re-upholstered bouclé fabric, Czech r...
Fabric, Wood
Danish Modern 1950s Highback Lounge Wing Chair With Wooden Armrests
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very unique Danish 1940s wingback chair with nicely carved armrest in stained beechwood. Very elegant with strong angular lines and a strong presence to anchor any roo...
Wool, Beech
$3,559
H 40.95 in W 31.5 in D 37.41 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Lounge Chair in Sand Bouclé, 1950s
By Mogens Lassen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Rødding, DK
A Danish cabinetmaker wingback lounge chair produced in Denmark circa 1945–1955, newly upholstered in a sand-toned bouclé wool that pairs naturally with the chair’s sculptural silhou...
Bouclé, Beech
$2,750
H 35.5 in W 28.75 in D 33 in
Peter Hvidt Orla Molgaard Style Classic Danish 1950s Medium Size Lounge Chair
By Peter Hvidt, Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful lounge chair made in Denmark in the 1950s. The chair bear close resemblance to Peter Hvidt's designs for Fritz Hansen The chair is not marked similar to the vast majority ...
Mohair, Beech, Wool
$2,671
H 37.41 in W 29.73 in D 31.5 in L 37.41 in
Scandinavian Mid-Century Wingback Lounge Chair in Green Velvet, 1950s
Located in Rødding, DK
A Scandinavian mid-century wingback lounge chair, 1940s–1950s, in deep forest green velvet. A generous, fully upholstered form with a high sculpted back, softly curved wings and roun...
Fabric, Oak
$1,987Sale Price|50% Off
H 35.5 in W 19 in D 31.5 in
Kofod Larsen High Back Lounge Chair Danish, 1960s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully crafted 1960s Danish chair in bent teal with a sled base and reupholstered cushions in a luxurious cut Donghia velvet.
Velvet, Teak
Scandinavian Wingback Chair from Denmark
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A highly expressive and well scaled upholstered wingback chair having sculpted knuckled arms and an exposed oak wood frame.
Oak, Upholstery
1950s Danish Wingback Armchair in the Style of Alfred Christensen
By Alfred Christensen
Located in New York, NY
Made in the 1950s, this Danish wingback armchair takes after the elegant designs of Alfred Christensen, founder of Slagelse Møbelværk. The frame, arms, and legs are mahogany, while t...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,850
H 40 in W 25 in D 31 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Danish Modern High Back Lounge Chair FD-145
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Daverkosen
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very sculptural mid-century modern Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen FD 145 high back lounge chair FD 145, produced in Denmark by France & Daverkosen. This spindle back lounge chai...
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
$6,000 / set
H 39.5 in W 32 in D 36 in
Italian Modern, Ashwood, Fabric, Large Wingback Chairs, Italy, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian Mid-Century Modern, Ashwood, Fabric, Large Wingback Chairs, Italy, 1950s Pair of oversized wingback lounge chairs designed and produced in Italy in the middle of the 20th ce...
Fabric, Ash
$6,995
H 42.92 in W 28.15 in D 36.42 in
Fritz Hansen Model "FH 8023" Wingback Armchair in Bouclé, Denmark, 1950s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Throughout Scandinavia, there's a long history of pride in craftsmanship which is especially true of Denmark and one of its most reputable furniture makers Fritz Hansen. This beautif...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 46.07 in W 31.89 in D 31.11 in
Early Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Wingback Chair in Beige Leather
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Koefoeds Møbelfabrik 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, wingback chair, patinated leather, mahogany and brass, Denmark, 1940s Danish armchair with a classic design, by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Niel...
Brass
Sold
H 40.16 in W 26.38 in D 29.14 in
Pair of wing chairs ba Peter Hvidt & Olga Molgaard Nielsen, ca.1945
By France & Daverkosen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of wing chairs ba Peter Hvidt & Olga Molgaard Nielsen, ca.1945