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 Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
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
$28,800Sale Price|25% Off
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, 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 Niels Vodder, Sigurd Ressell
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
$3,228Sale Price|40% Off
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
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Finn Juhl '109' Armchairs in Teak, Cognac Leather & Brass, 1946
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
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
Erik Worts Rosewood & Cane Armchair with Leather Seat 1950s
By Erik Worts, Worts Mobler
Located in London, England
Erik Wørts - Rosewood and Cane Back Armchair Erik Worts achieved great commercial success in his design career largely through collaborations with IKEA in Sweden and FDB Mobler in D...
Leather, Rosewood
$725
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Danish Collectible Chair "197" Design Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in taranto, IT
Danish collectible chair, model "197", France & Søn production based on a design by Finn Juhl, mid-1960s made on a teak structure, it measures 76 cm in height, 50 cm in width, 45 ...
Faux Leather, Teak
$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
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
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
$1,712
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
$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 Mid Century Japanese Lounge Chair
By Finn Juhl
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Finn Juhlmid century japan lounge chair This chair measures: 26.5 wide x 33.5 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 15.75 in...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,100 / set
H 34 in W 22.5 in D 23.88 in
Pair of Wire-Brushed Oak and Leather Arm Chairs after Jean-Michel Frank
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF "BRIDGE METTEUR EN SCENE" (1932) WIRE-BRUSHED OAK AND SADDLE-LEATHER ARM CHAIRS AFTER JEAN-MICHEL FRANK Unmarked Circa third quarter of the 20th century brand new artisan-m...
Steel
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
Finn Juhl Delegate's Chair
By Baker Furniture Company, Finn Juhl
Located in Highland, IN
We feel that Finn Juhl's delegate's chair (or FJ51) is one of his most under appreciated designs. Perhaps overshadowed by the sexy #45 chair, with which it shares many qualities, it ...
Teak, Upholstery
Pair of Falcon Chairs by Sigurd Ressell, Norway, 1970s
By Sigurd Resell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Norwegian Falcon chairs in brown leather by Sigurd Ressel, Norway, 1970s. Good vintage condition with signs of usage and patina. Please note: flat-packed global shipping available: ...
Leather
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 Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
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 Niels Vodder, Mogens Voltelen
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 Niels Vodder, Mogens Voltelen
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
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 Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
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 Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
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 Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
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 Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
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
Copenhagen Lounge Chair by Mogens Voltelen
By Niels Vodder, Mogens Voltelen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An impressive lounge chair by Mogens Voltelen for Niels Vodder, c.1936, Denmark. This comfortable lounge chair features a stunning sculptural beech wood frame and legs. The aged cogn...
Leather, Wood, Beech