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Niels Vodder

Danish, 1892-1982

One of the greatest cabinetmakers in Denmark, Niels Vodder had an illustrious career in Danish furniture. And just as like-minded duos Kaare Klint and Rudolph Rasmussen or Hans Wegner and Johannes Hansen had, Vodder — in partnership with Finn Juhl for more than 20 years — set a high standard for Scandinavian modernism.

Vodder had already established his position as an in-demand cabinetmaker by the time Juhl came into his small workshop in 1937. Juhl — a pioneer of 20th-century Danish design and a pivotal figure in the introduction of Danish modern in the United States — had often authored technically complicated designs that other woodworkers found impossible to execute. Vodder, however, would prove otherwise through his skill and ingenuity. Together, the two ushered in an era of innovative Danish design to an international audience at annual Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibitions in Copenhagen.

Some of Juhl’s most iconic lounge chairs, such as the NV 45 chair and the Chieftain chair, were first built by Vodder. Most of the seating executed by Vodder was done in teak, although some chairs were handcrafted in mahogany, rosewood and other attractive woods. The Chieftain, formally the FJ 49 A, won the Danish Design Award in the “Classic” category, while the NV 45 can be found in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Juhl’s FJ 51 chair was featured in the United Nations Trusteeship Council chamber — designing and furnishing the chamber was one of Juhl’s notable accomplishments in the early 1950s.

One of the keys to the pair’s success lay in the combination of Juhl’s self-taught approach and Vodder’s progressive outlook on his trade. The latter's workshop was modest in size and he was a pioneer with respect to the use of subcontractors in manufacturing, while Juhl had no formal training in furniture design. Juhl's early ambition was to pursue art history; instead, at his father’s request, he earned a degree in architecture. His studies and enthusiasm for art resulted in inspired pieces that were free from traditional norms, while Vodder possessed the technical prowess to refine and bring these ideas to fruition.

As Ejnar Pedersen — founder of P.P. Møbler — once said, “ (I)f we had no Niels Vodder, we would not have had the Finn Juhl we know today.” Vodder passed away in 1982.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Niels Vodder seating, tables and case pieces.

Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder NV-53 Blue Chairs - Pair
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Countryside, IL
Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder NV-53 Blue Chairs - Pair Each lounge chair measures: 28 wide x 30 deep x 29.5 high, with a seat height of 14.5 and arm height/chair clearance 22.5 inches ...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Niels Vodder

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Danish Curved Mid Century Poet Sofa by Finn Juhl Produced by Niels Vodder, 1941
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare, fine and early example of the iconic "Poet" sofa by Finn Juhl produced by cabinet maker Niels Vodder Denmark, 1941. In good condition and fully restored and upholstered in...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Vodder

Materials

Sheepskin, Beech

Finn Juhl 'Judas' table in Brazilian Rosewood, Niels Vodder 1948.
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare Finn Juhl 'Judas' table in Brazilian rosewood. Including two extension leaves in very fine original condition. This is the version without silver coin inlays. Only one owner s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Niels Vodder

Materials

Beech, Rosewood

“Poet” Chair by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder in Denmark, 1950
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A stunning lounge chair model “Poet”, designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by Niels Vodder in Denmark around 1950. The chair is upholstered in high quality yellow ochre fabric, a ...
Category

1950s European Vintage Niels Vodder

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Niels Vodder NV54 Teak Tambour Cabinet
By Niels Vodder
Located in Dallas, TX
A Niels Vodder NV54 floating teak tambour cabinet. Beautifully restored.
Category

1950s Vintage Niels Vodder

Materials

Teak

Extremely Rare Knud Vodder for Niels Vodder Dining Table in Oregon Pine
By Knud Vodder, Niels Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Knud Vodder for Niels Vodder, dining table, Oregon pine, formica, Denmark, designed in 1958. Knud Vodder, the son and maker of this table Niels Vodder, designed this table specifica...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Vodder

Materials

Formica, Pine

Danish Modern Finn Juhl NV40 Writing Desk
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A rare Finn Juhl design know as the FJ 40. One of Finn Juhl’s earliest designs that is produced by master cabinet maker Niels Vodder.A small compact writing desk in teak with very fi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Niels Vodder

Materials

Teak

Finn Juhl NV-53, Original Rosewood Lounge Chair, Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1953
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl NV-53, Original Rosewood Lounge Chair, Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1953. Finn Juhl originally designed the 53-series for master joiner Niels Vodder. It was introduced at the Cop...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Niels Vodder

Materials

Brass

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Niels Vodder furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Niels Vodder furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Niels Vodder furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Niels Vodder were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Madsen & Schubell, Jacob Kjær, and Henry Rosengren Hansen. Prices for Niels Vodder furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,734 and can go as high as $100,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $21,000.

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