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 NV 48 Chair for Niels Vodder Mid Century
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic example of mid-century modern design, this Finn Juhl No. 48 open armchair dates to the 1950s and was manufactured by Baker Furniture, USA, one of the few American firms lic...
Teak
$7,500Sale Price|25% Off
Pair of Finn Juhl '109' Armchairs in Teak, Cognac Leather & Brass, 1946
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is an exquisite pair of vintage mid-century modern NV-109 chairs, designed by the renowned Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder in the 1950s. An early edition of Juhl's work, these ch...
Brass
$28,800Sale Price|25% Off
Finn Juhl NV-53, Original Rosewood Lounge Chair, Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1953
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl NV-53, Original Rosewood Lounge Chair, Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1946 Finn Juhl originally designed the 53-series for master joiner Niels Vodder. It was introduced at the Cope...
Brass
Rare Pair of Sigurd Ressell Arm Chairs for Niels Vodder, Oak and Leather
By Sigurd Ressell, Niels Vodder
Located in Miami, FL
Rare pair of Sigurd Ressell arm chairs for Niels Vodder. Oak and leather seats. Foam and leather have recently been replaced, Rotex webbing is original. One chair still has the origi...
Leather, Oak
1959 Sigurd Ressell Armchair of Solid Teak, Seat covered with Natural Leather
By Niels Vodder, Sigurd Ressell
Located in London, GB
1959 Sigurd Ressell Armchair of solid teak, seat covered with natural leather. Made by Cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Model SR59, designed in 1959 and presented at the Copenhagen Cabinet...
Leather, Teak
Set of 8 Finn Juhl Egyptian Teak Dining Chairs
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Kensington, MD
- Designed in 1949 for the Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, this is one of the most iconic designs by Finn Juhl. - The teak has aged to a deep rich patina and is a strik...
Upholstery, Teak
Midcentury Settee, possibly Finn Juhl /Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl
Located in Richmond, VA
Great, sleek midcentury settee recently upholstered. No markings but very similar to Niels Vodder's model NV53.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,900Sale Price|29% Off
H 39 in W 30.5 in D 33 in
Leather 'Falcon' Sling Chair by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler, 1970s
By Sigurd Resell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic leather 'Falcon' sling chair in burgundy leather by Sigurd Ressell for Vatne Møbler, suspended in air and harnessed by four sculptural dark wood frame components featuring ...
Leather, Canvas, Wood
$1,345Sale Price|19% Off
H 37.8 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Brown Leather Lounge Chair 'Model Superstar" by Sigurd Ressell. 1970s
By Sigurd Ressell
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A striking and comfortable 1970s Danish lounge chair designed by Sigurd Ressell for Trygg Møbler, known as the “Superstar” model. This iconic piece features a sculptural frame in dar...
Metal
$758
H 37.41 in W 24.81 in D 17.72 in
Dutch Brutalist Solid Oak Armchair with Reupholstered Leather Seat, 1970s
Located in Debrecen, HU
A strong yet calm character piece, combining sculptural wooden construction with understated natural elegance. The solid frame gives the chair a grounded, architectural presence, whi...
Leather, Oak
$4,850 / set
H 31.89 in W 30.71 in D 32.68 in
Sigurd Ressell Pair of Falcon Lounge Chairs in Leather, Canvas and Birch 1970s
By Sigurd Ressell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Meer, VAN
Sigurd Ressell Pair of Falcon Lounge Chairs in Leather, Canvas and Birch for Vatne Møbler Norway 1970s This is a very elegant and comfortable pair of Falcon lounge chairs by Sigurd ...
Leather, Canvas, Birch
Finn Juhl Armchair 209 Diplomat, Early 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Vienna, AT
Finn Juhl, diplomat desk chair or armchair with frame in solid hardwood, model 209. Designed in 1963. Produced by France & Son. Measures: H. 82 cm, SH. 44 cm, B. 69 cm. Used but st...
Hardwood
Set of Six Finn Juhl Dining Chairs for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in 1953 by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark, the Model 109 and 59 dining chairs are a rare design. This rosewood set featuring two armchairs and four side chairs has been...
Leather, Upholstery, Rosewood
$5,601
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 30.32 in
Teak Lounge Chair 136 by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen, Denmark 1950s
By Finn Juhl, France & Daverkosen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Finn Juhl Model 136 Teak Armchair for France & Daverkosen, Denmark, 1950s Designed and produced in the 1950s, this sculptural armchair by Danish master Finn Juhl is a rare Model...
Wool, Teak
Original Finn Juhl NV45 Chair by Niels Vodder Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic original Finn Juhl NV45 chair in teak by Niels Vodder, Denmark, circa 1950s. This fine example retaining its original two tone wool upholstery. O...
Teak
Pair of Mid-Century Finn Juhl Style Lounge Chairs
By Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs feature sculpted walnut construction with comfortable vintage upholstery. Spingle backs and unique sloped arm rests add to the D...
Upholstery, Walnut
NV 53 sofa by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Finn Juhl NV 53 is a two-seater sofa made of teak and has been reupholstered in epping textile. Designed in 1953, this stunning and sculptural settee reflects the vision of Danis...
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 32.68 in W 27.56 in D 30.32 in
Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder Armchair 'NV 45' in Teak and Blue Fabric Upholstery
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, NV45, teak, blue fabric, Denmark, design 1945, production, 1950s This ‘NV45’ chair by Finn Juhl is executed in teak and blue fabric. The chair is made by...
Fabric, Teak
Mogens Voltelen Cognac Copenhagen Chair
By Mogens Voltelen, Niels Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair model 'Københavnerstolen', in oak and leather, by Mogens Voltelen for cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1936. Stunning Copenhagen lounge chair by Mogens Voltelen (...
Leather, Oak
Mogens Voltelen Early and Rare Copenhagen Chair
By Mogens Voltelen, Niels Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair model 'Københavnerstolen', in oak and leather, by Mogens Voltelen for cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1936. Stunning Copenhagen lounge chair by Mogens Voltelen (...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.1 in D 24.8 in
1950s NV48 Dining Chair by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder in Teak and Sorensen
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Victoria, BC
he NV48 dining chair was designed by Finn Juhl in the late 1940s and produced by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder in Denmark. The design reflects Juhl’s early exploration of separating upho...
Teak
A pair of Finn Juhl NV53 easy chairs for Niels Vodder, 1953
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A rare pair of NV-53 teak easy chairs upholstered with blue fabric. Designed 1953, executed by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark. Marked with burn mark by the cabinetmaker. Acq...
Brass
Finn Juhl 45 chair made of rosewood by Niels Vodder c1950
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in London, GB
This early edition of Finn Juhl's iconic 45 chair was made circa 1950 by Niels Vodder and has recently been restored as an investment piece. The rosewood frame has been disassembled...
Rosewood
Sold
H 32.68 in W 25.2 in D 24.41 in
Finn Juhl Armchair NV46 by Niels Vodder in Teakwood & Natural Leather, 1950s
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Odense, DK
Early edition FJ46 (NV46) armchair by Finn Juhl executed by Master Cabinetmaker Niels Vodder at his workshop in the 1950s. The chair has never been restored in any way and retains t...
Leather, Teak
Danish Modern Rosewood Finn Juhl NV 45 Arm Chair
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This exquisite and rare rosewood piece showcases Finn Juhl's highly sought-after design, the NV 45. It's a rare find, as this design is scarcely available, especially in Brazilian Rosewood, meticulously crafted by the master cabinet maker Niels Vodder. Our example remains in its original, pristine state, complete with the original purchase order from Den Permanente A/S (dated May 11th, 1984) and the original tag from Niels Vodder in Allerod, Denmark. According to Niels Vodder's son, who oversaw the workshop at the time, this specific chair was one of the last three 1960s productions of the 45 chair...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Sold
H 32.88 in W 27.17 in D 29.53 in
Finn Juhl NV45 Teak Armchair, Original Example Made by Niels Vodder, Design 1945
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Finn Juhl NV45 teak armchair, original example made by Niels Vodder, design 1945. In lovely condition, with recent upholstery in oatmeal wool with pale grey cushion.
Teak
Pair of Finn Juhl Nv 48 Chair Blue Leather
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Oakland, CA
Introducing a pair of iconic Finn Juhl armchairs, model NV-48, for Niels Vodder, designed in 1948, Denmark. Each chair is a masterpiece of sculptural form and craftsmanship. Hand-car...
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 19.3 in
Danish armchair in Teak and fabric model BO-72 by Finn Jhul for Bovirke 1946.
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Exceptional Scandinavian armchair. Considered one of Finn Juhl's masterpieces, the NV46 armchair was first presented in 1946 and, in teak wood, was only ever made by Niels Vodder. Re...
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.25 in D 23.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Finn Juhl Leather & Teak Armchairs Nv48 Neils Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
We are proud to present this rare and stuuning design by Finn Juhl, teak Model #NV48 by the famous designer Neils Vodder. Original upholstery in good cond...
Teak