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.
FJ 56 - 4 pers. sofa in textile by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Model FJ 56 - Rare four-seater sofa in textile with burnished steel frame and rosewood legs. Designed in 1956.
Steel
$10,000
H 28.38 in W 25.5 in D 20.5 in
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
Finn Juhl, Rare Sofa, Walnut, Fabric, United States, 1951
By Baker Furniture Company, Finn Juhl
Located in High Point, NC
A rare fabric and walnut sofa designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Baker, USA, 1950s. Fully restored, pre-restoration images available upon request. Overall Dimensions (inches): 4...
Fabric, Walnut
$6,053
H 30.52 in W 20.28 in D 20.87 in
Finn Juhl, 108 Chair, 1946, in Teak, Made by Niels Vodder, Copenhagen, Stamped
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Finn Juhl, teak 108 Chair, 1946, made by Niels Vodder, Copenhagen, stamped This is an early original chair, made by cabinet maker Niels Vodder in Copenhagen and bearing the stampe...
Leather, Teak
Finn Juhl Jupiter Sofa France and Son Denmark 1965 Black
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Danish modern so called Jupiter sofa model 218 designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by France and Son, Denmark 1965. The sofa has a solid rosewood frame...
Leather, Rosewood
Danish Modern Finn Juhl Sheepskin BO46 sofa, 1946
By Finn Juhl
Located in Uccle, BE
Sofa model BO46 by Finn Juhl for Bovirke, made in Denmark in 1946. Round beech legs. Reupholstered in sheepkin. Leather buttons. Excellent vintage condition. Early and important Finn...
Sheepskin, Beech
$20,542
H 32.29 in W 51.58 in D 29.14 in
Danish Modern Finn Juhl "46" Sofa, Dark Lavender Blue Velvet, Carl Brørup, 1940s
By Finn Juhl
Located in Odense, DK
Early and important Finn Juhl "46" sofa made in the 1940s at original manufacturer Carl Brørup. The sofa is upholstered in a beautiful dark blue velvet. The sofa is in very good orig...
Velvet
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
$9,920
H 30.71 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Finn Juhl Japan Sofa by France & Son, All New Premium Upholstery
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Utrecht, NL
"Japan" series sofa by Finn Juhl, designed in 1957 made by France & Son Denmark. The sublime simplicity of the "Japan" series is inspired by traditional Japanese construction techni...
Fabric, Teak, Wool, Linen
Finn Juhl Sofa BO 46 Bovirke
By Finn Juhl
Located in Pawtucket, RI
The perfect Finn Juhl settee manufactured by Bovirke in 1946. Reupholstered with new Hallingdal fabric. Iconic Danish design in perfect restored condition.
Wool
Danish Modern Finn Juhl NV-53 Settee
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A rare Finn Juhl designed settee produced by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder known as the NV53. Teak frame with upholstered seat. Frame stamped with Niels Vodder logo. Profession...
Upholstery, Teak
$3,526
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
Jupiter Sofa by Finn Juhl for from France and Søn and France & Daverkosen
By Finn Juhl
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Danish modern so called Jupiter sofa model 218 designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by France and Son. The sofa has a solid rosewood frame and black leather seating. The sofa is ...
Leather, Rosewood
Original Finn Juhl NV-53 Lounge Chair
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in San Francisco, CA
Original Finn Juhl design NV-53 lounge chair for Niels Vodder, Denmark. Sophisticated and elegant looking chair with sculpted solid teak arms and frame produced by Niels Vodder in 19...
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 34.65 in W 54.34 in D 30.32 in
Danish Curved Mid Century Poet Sofa by Finn Juhl Produced by Niels Vodder, 1941
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
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...
Sheepskin, Beech
Finn Juhl 'Poet' Sofa for Niels Vodder, 1941
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare Finn Juhl 'The Poet' sofa upholstered with two-tone fabric. Legs of stained beech. Designed by Finn Juhl 1941, manufactured by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark. Very fine ...
Fabric, Beech
NV53 Two Seater Sofa by Finn Juhl
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in London, GB
An NV53 two-seater sofa designed by Finn Juhl in 1953 and made by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark, shortly after 1953. The frame is carved out of the highest quality teak w...
Teak
NV 53 by Finn Juhl
By Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
NV 53/2 - Two-seat sofa in rosewood, reupholstered in yellow wool. Maker Niels Vodder. Design 1953.
Rosewood
NV 53 sofa by Finn Juhl
By Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
NV 53 - 3-seat sofa in teak and original, grey wool. Designed in 1953. Maker Niels Vodder.
Teak
Finn Juhl Two-Seat Sofa NV53
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in London, GB
NV53 two-seat sofa designed by Finn Juhland made by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1950s. The frame is carved out of teak and covered in a creamy white cotton upholstery....
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 30.75 in W 50.63 in D 29 in
Finn Juhl by Niels Vodder Two-Seat Sofa and Lounge Chairs, Model No. Nv53, 1950s
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Amarillo, TX
Finn Juhl two-seat sofa and lounge chairs, Model no. NV53 Copenhagen, Denmark, circa 1950s. Executed by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Teak, cognac leather, brass. Sofa 73.8 x 12...
Brass
Finn Juhl 'the Poet' Sofa for Niels Vodder, 1941
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Finn Juhl 'The Poet' sofa upholstered with two-tone fabric, legs of stained beech. Designed by Finn Juhl 1941, manufactured by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder.
Finn Juhl Chair for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in New York, NY
NV-53 chair in teak with brass fittings. Designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Niels Vodder, Copenhagen, circa 1950s. Refinished and newly upholstered. From a Great Neck, Long Island...
Brass
Finn Juhl 'The Poet' Sofa for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Finn Juhl 'The Poet' sofa upholstered with two-tone fabric, legs of stained wood. Designed by Finn Juhl 1941, manufactured by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. For additional photos p...
Finn Juhl The Poet sofa for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Finn Juhl 'The Poet' sofa upholstered with two-tone fabric. Legs of stained beech. Designed by Finn Juhl 1941, manufactured by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. For additional photo...
Finn Juhl NV53 Sofa
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in London, GB
Teak sofa designed by Finn Juhl and made by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Great sculptural arms making it unmistakably Finn Juhl. A classic marriage of Finn Juhl's sculptural aes...
Brass