Niels Otto Møller Seating
Working in rich woods to create durable furniture that is today recognized for its elegant simplicity and solid craftsmanship, Niels Otto Møller was one of the original designers of the famed Scandinavian modern movement that swept through postwar Europe and, eventually, the United States.
At the age of 19, Møller studied to be a cabinetmaker, gaining a strong affinity for working with natural materials. He furthered his education at the local design academy in his hometown of Århus, Denmark, where, in 1944, he established J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik. Møller’s first chair — called simply No. 1 — was introduced in 1946. In 1961, he expanded his thriving business by opening a factory in Højbjerg, producing his popular dining chairs as well as armchairs, lounge chairs, tables and more. Rather than unnecessary ornamentation, he focused on a warm and more minimalist approach that valued function over form. Nearly all of his pieces, from the 1962 Model 78 chair to his simple tables, feature gentle curves formed from woods such as rosewood and teak (a sought-after material among furniture designers of the time).
Though the furnishings boasted a contemporary look and were a departure from the ornate designs of the recent past, Møller’s company crafted all of them using traditional, age-old techniques. For instance, the 1959 Model 77 side chair’s seat is handwoven using a single 425-foot-long cord. Today, the Danish furniture designer’s refined pieces continue to be as sought after as they were when mid-century modernism was in full swing.
The company, still based in its original factory, remains a family business, now headed by Møller’s granddaughter, Kirsten Møller. Along with new pieces, they craft the celebrated original designs, from raw wood to finished assembled products, that made J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik a renowned name in Danish Modern design.
Find a collection of vintage Niels Otto Møller furniture on 1stDibs.
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Rosewood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Naugahyde, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Wool, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Teak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Fabric, Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Upholstery, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Suede, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Wood
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Cord, Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Rope, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Fabric, Rosewood
1950s Danish Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Upholstery, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Rosewood, Leather
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Upholstery, Rosewood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Fabric, Wool, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Birch, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Rattan, Rope, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Rosewood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Wood, Oak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Birch, Teak
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Birch, Teak
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Wool, Teak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Upholstery, Teak
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Raffia, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Rosewood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Wool, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Otto Møller Seating
Leather, Rosewood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Birch, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Cane, Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Cotton, Cord, Rosewood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Otto Møller Seating
Papercord, Birch, Teak