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 Hvidt & Mølgaard, Fritz Hansen
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 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
$5,850
H 40.95 in W 31.5 in D 37.41 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Wingback Lounge Chair in Sand Bouclé, 1950s
By Fritz Hansen, Mogens Lassen
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
$7,400
H 42.5 in W 30.5 in D 34 in
Fritz Hansen Model 1672 High Back Mohair Lounge Chair Danish Midcentury, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Sought after Fritz Hansen Model 1672 high back lounge chair made circa 1942. The chairs was first seen on page 12 in Fritz Hansen's 1942 catalog. The model 1672 has become of the mos...
Mohair, Beech
$2,916
H 37.41 in W 29.73 in D 31.5 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
$3,925Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 26.38 in D 30.32 in
1950s Danish "Boomerang" Chair FD135 by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen, F&D
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Filigree lounge chair in teak with brass legs, model FD 135, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard Nielsen. The upholstery has been renewed with the fabric "Hallingdal" by Kvadra...
Brass
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
$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
$6,600
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
$7,700
H 38.39 in W 27.96 in D 33.08 in
Scandinavian Upholstered Wingback Armchair, Scandinavia, 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Throughout Scandinavia, there's a long history of pride in craftsmanship using natural materials like wood. This wingback design has a rich history and purpose; it is said that they ...
Fabric, Wood
$10,500
H 36 in W 26 in D 28 in
Sculptural High-Back Wing Chairs, Italian Leather, Modern Design, 1950
Located in New York, NY
A pair of sculptural high-back Italian wing chairs, with beautifully curved arm and back supports, supported on splayed and tapered black painted metal and brass legs. The chairs exp...
Metal, Brass
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
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 Koefoeds Møbelfabrik 1, Hvidt & Mølgaard
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