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 NV54 Mid Century Danish Teak Tambour Door Credenza
By Niels Vodder
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Niels Vodder NV54 Mid Century Danish Teak Tambour Door Credenza This credenza measures: 81.5 wide x 19.75 deep x 34.25 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Very Small Areas of Ver...
Teak
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
$4,895 / item
H 24.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Tambour-Door Credenza by Danish Modern LA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our first-ever modern credenza designed and crafted by Danish Modern L.A.'s artisans' house in Los Angeles, CA. Our skillfully crafted credenza showcases a solid American...
Walnut
Danish Modern Teak Tambour Door Credenza
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful Danish modern teak tambour door credenza designed in Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece features a well-crafted teak case with two t...
Teak
Rare Arne Vodder Danish Teak Credenza
By Arne Vodder
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare and unusual Danish teak credenza designed by Arne Vodder and manufactured by Sibast, ca' 1960. Model 211. Featuring reversable sliding door, finished back, sculpted and raised...
Teak
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Credenza with Tambour sliding doors
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Brande Møbelfabrik, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare and refined sideboard signed by the famous Danish designer IB Kofod-Larsen for Brandes Møbelfabrik, a Scandinavian design classic of the 1950s. Made of teak, this piece has a mi...
Birch, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Tambour Door Credenza, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut credenza manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This beautifully executed case piece exemplifies the clean lines and refined craftsmanship that defined Am...
Walnut, Lacquer
$3,186
H 34.65 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Credenza in Teak by Arne Vodder, Denmark, 1967
By Arne Vodder
Located in bari, IT
Credenza in legno teak a tre ante colorate scorrevoli, tipico dello stile danese di Arne Vodder che amava mescolare il minimalismo danese con l’audacia della pop art. La credenza pre...
Teak
$6,500
H 30.5 in W 78.75 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Credenza in Teak After Arne Vodder w/ Finished Back, c. 1960s
By Arne Vodder
Located in Deland, FL
Constructed from hand selected fletches of teak wood with the finest attention to details. This period Danish credenza is unmarked but based on the age and construction of the cabine...
Teak
$7,200
H 57 in W 80 in D 19 in
Danish Teak Tambour Doors Long Credenza Dresser Server with Glass Doors Hutch
By Arne Vodder
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern finished back teak long credenza with sliding glass doors hutch.
Glass, Teak
$4,895 / item
H 28.25 in W 66 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Tambour-Door Credenza by Danish Modern LA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our first-ever modern credenza designed and crafted by Danish Modern L.A.'s artisans' house in Los Angeles, CA. Our skillfully crafted credenza showcases a solid American...
Walnut
$4,595
H 30.75 in W 78.75 in D 17.75 in
Arne Vodder Style Mid Century Danish Teak Sliding Door Credenza
By Arne Vodder
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arne Vodder Style Mid Century Danish Teak Sliding Door Credenza This credenza measures: 78.75 wide x 17.75 deep x 30.75 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Credenza has Areas of ...
Teak
$4,190
H 59.5 in W 80 in D 19 in
Classic Danish Teak Credenza/sideboard with glass top hutch attr. Arne Vodder
By Arne Vodder
Located in Buffalo, NY
Attributed to:Arne Vodder A standout piece from one of Denmark's most distinctive cabinetmakers. This Arne Vodder credenza for Sibast features the brand's sliding doors in rich teak...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Teak Credenza w/ Tambour Doors
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern teak credenza featuring distinctive tambour doors that slide smoothly to reveal generous interior storage. Showcasing the warm tones and natural grain of...
Teak
$6,500
H 32 in W 75 in D 19 in
Teak Danish Mid-Century Modern Tambour Credenza Dresser by Falster Mint!
By Falster Møbelfabrik, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Teak Danish Mid-Century Modern tambour credenza dresser by falster mint!
Teak
$5,000
H 29 in W 63 in D 19.5 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Tambour Door Credenza by Worts Mobler, C1960s
By Worts Mobler
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is a rare Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Credenza by Worts Moller, circa 1960s. This exquisite piece showcases the timeless elegance of Scandinavian design, featuring beauti...
Teak
Arne Vodder Teak Sideboard for Sibast Denmark
By Arne Vodder
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Arne Vodder Teak Sideboard for Sibast Denmark
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
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
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
Tambour Door Credenza by Niels Vodder
By Niels Vodder
Located in Dallas, TX
A teak credenza with tambour doors and a finished back. Adjustable shelf and drawers. Designed by Niels Vodder.
Credenza by Niels Vodder
By Niels Vodder
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A teak credenza with reed tambour doors and a finished back.
Teak