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.
Niels Vodder Teak Credenza NV54
By Niels Vodder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Niels Vodder design credenza model NV54, Denmark. Niels Vodder was a premier cabinet maker that is best known for his execution of Finn Juhl's most successful and beautiful creations...
Teak
$8,500 / item
Seven Drawer Dresser by Borge Mogensen
By Niels Vodder, Børge Mogensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A tall seven (7) drawer dresser / chest of drawers designed by Borge Mogensen. Dresser is constructed of solid teak wood with integrated wood handles on an oak base with tapered dowel legs. Made in Denmark by Neils Vodder...
Oak, Teak
Hanging Tambour-Doored Bar/Cabinet for Niels Vodder
By Niels Vodder
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hanging bar/cabinet in teak having vertical dividers, U-shaped shelving for glasses, and a milk glass bottom, the unit accessible by a tamboured sl...
Brass
$20,500 / item
H 60 in W 32 in D 16 in
Bespoke Contemporary Bar Cabinet, Solid Wood, Blackened Bronze & Resin Doors
By Wüd Furniture Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Included in the Gotham collection is this striking bar cabinet. Sitting on top of a modern blackened steel frame is an oxidized ambrosia maple cabinet with blackened bronze encased i...
Bronze
$1,800Sale Price|60% Off
H 28.75 in W 34.5 in D 19.5 in
Midcentury Danish Rosewood Bar Cabinet by Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen
By Niels Erik & Glasdam Jensen
Located in Oakland, CA
Niels Erik Glasdam Jensen expanding midcentury rosewood bar cabinet with two sections that slide out to reveal a stylish interior with...
Rosewood
$3,467
H 48.43 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
Black Brutalist Bar Cabinet, Two Doors, Three Drawers, Belgium, 1970s
By De Coene Frères
Located in Hilversum, NL
This striking black Brutalist bar cabinet, crafted in Belgium in the 1970s, is a stunning example of minimalist design. Made from black lacquered oak, the sideboard features two door...
Oak
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 57 in W 40 in D 18 in
Mid Century Danish Modern 7 Drawer Teak Tall dresser by Borge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen, Soborg Mobler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobler of Denmark Tall 7 drawer Dresser. Beautiful teak dresser - with 7 drawers with carved teak handles. Good vintage condition ...
Teak
$3,895
H 43 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Rosewood Bar Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970 Scandinavian bar cabinet in dramatically figured rosewood veneer features two sliding glass doors on the top section over three felt lined drawers on one side and a storage compartment with internal shelf on the other. Tapered legs. Unknown maker. Very good overall vintage condition. Open Shelf Sections...
Glass, Rosewood
Leonard Eisen for Pulaski Wall Mounted Bar Cabinet
By Pulaski Furniture Corporation
Located in Hanover, MA
Designed by Leonard Eisen in 1971 for Pulaski Furniture as part of his Contour 70's collection we have repurposed an original sculptural door panel with its organic modernist design ...
Maple, Walnut
Arne Vodder Style Danish Teak Sideboard
By Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This exquisite vintage teak sideboard features elegant sculpted pulls, tapered legs and shapely leg stretcher for addition support. Spacious interior cabinet offers adjustable shelf ...
Teak
$3,295
H 31.25 in W 60 in D 19 in
Drexel Heritage Georgian Mahogany Seven-Drawer Dresser, Newly Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style seven-drawer dresser or credenza By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful mahogany, with original brass hardware. Measures: 60"W x 1...
Brass
Vintage 3-drawer Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Three Drawer Chest Dresser Overall Dimensions - 38"W x 17"D x 32"H
Wood
Bar Cabinet by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo, Norway, 1960s
By Dyrlund, Reno Wahl Iversen
Located in Karlstad, SE
Sophisticated foldable bar cabinet designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo in the 1960s. Crafted in richly grained rosewood, the cabinet features a clever fold-out construction that d...
Brass
Henredon Georgian Carved Mahogany Seven-Drawer Dresser or Credenza
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style seven-drawer dresser, credenza, or chest of drawers By Henredon USA, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware. Mea...
Brass
Mid-Century Teak Nine Drawer Dresser
By Falster Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen, Dyrlund, Børge Mogensen
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century nine drawer dresser made from teak wood, Denmark. Excellent teak grain throughout the entire piece. This long and low dresser features a bank of three drawers on the left...
Wood, Teak
Sideboard "NV54" designed by Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1954
By Niels Vodder
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sideboard “NV54” designed by Niels Vodder, Denmark 1954 Teak H: 87 cm / 2' 10 1/4" L: 200 cm / 6' 6 3/4" W: 50 cm / 1' 7 3/5"
Teak
Niels Vodder NV54 Teak Tambour Cabinet
By Niels Vodder
Located in Dallas, TX
A Niels Vodder NV54 floating teak tambour cabinet. Beautifully restored.
Teak
Danish Modern Finn Juhl NV40 Writing Desk
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
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...
Teak
Niels Vodder NV54 Credenza Teak Credenza Danish Mid century Modern
By Illums Bolighus, Niels Vodder
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A stunning sideboard from cabinetmaker Niels Vodder imported from Denmark by Illums Bolighus. This is a highly south after cabinet and rarely comes to market. This example from a sin...
Teak
Sold
H 34.25 in W 39.75 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Teak Vanity / Secretary Dresser by Borge Mogensen for Neils Vodder
By Niels Vodder, Børge Mogensen
Located in Lafayette, IN
This is a true time capsule of a piece! The original owner purchased this piece new, in Germany, in 1962 and then had it shipped to the states where it has sat, undisturbed, since 19...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Dresser by Borge Mogensen for Neils Vodder
By Niels Vodder, Børge Mogensen
Located in Lafayette, IN
This is a true time capsule of a piece! The original owner purchased this piece new, in Germany, in 1962 and then had it shipped to the states where it has sat, undisturbed, since 19...
Teak
Sold
H 34.5 in W 83 in L 34.5 in
Danish Modern Nv54 Tambour Sideboard Credenza by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Lafayette, IN
This is a true time capsule of a piece! The original owner purchased this piece new, in Germany, in 1962 and then had it shipped to the states where it has sat, undisturbed, since 19...
Teak
Rosewood Cabinet by Niels Vodder 1954
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare Tambour door cabinet in rosewood by Danish cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Model # NV-54 circa 1954.
Wood
Sold
H 39.38 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Midcentury Bar Stools by Cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, 1950s
By Niels Vodder
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of great looking bar stools. Designed and made by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Great original condition.
Teak, Faux Leather
Niels Vodder NV54 Tambour-Door Teak Credenza
By Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Niels Vodder NV54 tambour-door teak credenza.
Wood, Birch, Teak
Danish Modern Niels Vodder Tambour Door Credenza NV54
By Niels Vodder
Located in Minneapolis, MN
An exquisite example of what a Danish master cabinet maker can design and manufacturer. Known as the NV54 this Niels Vodder designed sideboard is in beautiful original condition. Bea...
Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
1940s Danish Rosewood NV-40 Writing Desk by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A beautifully proportioned NV-40 writing desk by Finn Juhl for Neils Vodder. In Rio rosewood with brass detail this rare 1940s desk is in excellent condition. It retains its or...
Brass