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.
NV 40 - Writing desk in rosewood by Finn Juhl
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Copenhagen, DK
NV 40 - Rare writing desk in rosewood with mirror and recessed brass handles and three compartments.
Brass
Child Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact desk is functional and stylish, with a minimal design and three drawers for organization. Please confirm item location with seller (NY/NJ).
Rosewood
$10,430
H 28.75 in W 27.56 in D 39.77 in
Danish Rosewood Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen Writing Table
By Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Uxbridge, GB
We have for sale a very elegant rosewood writing table by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen c1958. This is a really nice, really well made piece. The piece was originally designed ...
Rosewood
$5,891
H 28.35 in W 74.81 in D 35.44 in
Finn Juhl Rosewood 'Diplomat' Desk, by France & Son, Denmark 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' executive desk in rosewood, fitted two drawers to each side with aluminium pulls below a pullout lined with felt/glass. Designed circa 1957 and likely manufactur...
Rosewood
Milo Baughman Rosewood & Chrome Writing Desk, USA, c.1969
By Milo Baughman
Located in San Francisco, CA
A small writing desk by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Rosewood top with three storage drawers sit atop contemporary bases of chromed steel. Overall in very good condition. The ro...
Chrome
$4,975
H 28.5 in W 31.5 in D 70.5 in
1960s Finn Juhl France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak Made in Denmark
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1960's Finn Juhl for France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak. Overall this item is in very good to excellent condition. The wood top is free from any major scratches, stains, or major imperfections. It has aged quite nicely and shows a gorgeous and very subtle patina. The drawers open easily and the metal finish on the legs are intact and clean. The bottom of the desk top from the ground is 26-1/2" but total clearance from the ground is 24-3/4" to the middle support beam. This piece came from a notable modern estate in Boston. It was purchased from Machine Age by the previous owner. The Eames aluminum chair...
Metal
$68,500
H 28.25 in W 71 in D 47 in
Finn Juhl Judas Dining Table for Niels Vodder, Brazilian Rosewood, Silver Inlay
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Kansas City, MO
Finn Juhl designed "Judas" dining table made by Niels Vodder and retailed by Illums Bolighus of Copenhagen, Denmark, 1950s. This is one of the most important and rare dining tables o...
Silver
$69,500
H 28.25 in W 114.5 in D 47.25 in
Outstanding Finn Juhl Rosewood and Silver Inlay "Judas" Dining Table, Restored
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and exceptional mid-century Danish Modern "Judas" extension dining table. This iconic table was designed by Finn Juhl, expertly produced by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, and retailed by Illums Bolighus of Copenhagen, Denmark. The table features an expandable oval top in stunning book-matched Brazilian rosewood, with round silver inlays, floating on a sculptural base with tapered solid rosewood legs. Made in Denmark, circa 1950s. Branded manufacturer’s mark to underside: "Cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Copenhagen Denmark, Design: Finn Juhl." Measures: 71"W x 47.25"D x 28.25"H. Extends up to 114.5"W with two 21.75" leaves. Professionally restored. Excellent condition. Along with Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl was one of the great masters of mid-20th-century Danish design. Juhl was the first among that group to have his work promoted overseas, bringing the character of the nation’s furnishings — and the inherent principles of grace, craftsmanship and utility on which they were based — to an international audience. A stylistic maverick, Juhl embraced expressive, free-flowing shapes in chair and sofa designs much earlier than his colleagues, yet even his quietest pieces incorporate supple, curving forms that are at once elegant and ergonomic. Juhl quickly won a following for such signature designs as the supremely comfortable Chieftan lounge chair, the biomorphic Baker sofa, and this Judas table, ornamented with stylish inlaid silver plaquettes.
Silver
Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid writing desk
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid writing desk, having the original brass gallery, bevel edge mirror flanked by four quality inlaid drawers, a red leather writing surface abo...
Mahogany
$57,500Sale Price|23% Off
H 28 in W 100.5 in D 55 in
Finn Juhl 'Judas' Rosewood and Sterling Silver Dining Table, c 1950s, Signed
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptionally rare and sought after, this Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder 'Judas' dining table, 1950s Denmark, was professionally restored and features gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood with sterling silver inlaid medallions which assist in tableware placement and gives the table its infamous name. Signed underneath with Finn Juhl / Niels Vodder stamp which reads: "Niels Vodder Cabinetmaker Denmark Design Finn Juhl". The table is expandable, with a 22 inch leaf making the table just over 100" fully expanded. The Judas table...
Sterling Silver
$8,750
H 28.75 in W 67 in D 37.5 in
Danish Modern Rosewood “Diplomat” Desk by Finn Juhl for France and Son
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An iconic example of Danish modern design, this exceptional “Diplomat” desk by Finn Juhl for France & Son showcases the designer’s unmistakable balance of elegance, warmth, and funct...
Aluminum
Finn Juhl Rare Desk for Bovirke in Teak
By Bovirke, Finn Juhl
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Finn Juhl for Bovirke, desk, model ‘BO 69’, teak, metal, brass, Denmark, design ca. 1953, made late 1950s Finn Juhl conceived this rare version of the desk model ‘BO 69’ in the late 1950s. Bovirke first produced a model after a design by Juhl in 1953. This was a teak version with four polychrome painted wood...
Metal, Brass
Finn Juhl Desk Model NV-40 by Niels Vodder in Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare desk NV-40 designed by Finn Juhl. Produced by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder in Denmark.
Brass
Rare desk in rosewood (model NV-50) by Finn Juhl
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Copenhagen, DK
NV 50 - Desk in rosewood on round, tapered legs. Front with drawer module with three drawers. Designed in 1945. Architect Finn Juhl for master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder.
Rosewood
Petite Rosewood Writing Desk by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare rosewood writing desk by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1942. This diminutive desk features a lift-top with open storage and three compartments with hinged tops. A rare an...
Rosewood
Finn Juhl NV-40 Desk for Niels Vodder, circa 1950
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Finn Juhl NV-40 desk for Niels Vodder, circa 1950.
Teak
Finn Juhl Desk or Work Table with Brass Detailed Stretcher
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Utrecht, NL
Floating beveled edged solid ash table top on contrasting solid teak frame Rare example with brass finished stretcher. Ado not signed Niels Vodder ...
Brass
Large Finn Juhl Work Desk for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large and rare Finn Juhl teak work desk with two drawer units and 'floating' top. The full vennered drawer units are detachable so only one unit may be used for a lighter appearan...
Teak