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Peter Hvidt

Danish, 1916-1986

One half of the influential Danish furniture duo Hvidt and Mølgaard, architect and designer Peter Hvidt created shapely works in teak and rosewood that could be mass-produced and transported at a scale rarely seen before his time. Alongside his business partner, Aalborg-born designer Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, the pair crafted furniture which stands today as a masterclass in the combination of elegance and practicality that is typical of Scandinavian modernism.

Hvidt was born in Copenhagen in 1916. He studied architecture and cabinetry, and graduated from the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. Hvidt established his own design firm in 1940 and taught for three years at his former school, during which he designed the teak Portex chair — Denmark’s first stacking chair (this design has alternatively been attributed to Hvidt’s partnership with Mølgaard-Nielsen over the years).

The exceptional collaboration between Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen took shape in 1944. A student of pioneering Danish modernist designer and architect Kaare Klint and fellow graduate of the School of Arts and Crafts, Mølgaard brought his technical prowess and eye for practical design to the partnership. Together, for more than three decades, Hvidt and Mølgaard would produce over 250 furniture designs, a legacy that included the iconic AX chair.

A masterpiece of technical expertise and innovative woodworking, the sculptural AX armchair was designed in collaboration with manufacturer Fritz Hansen during the late 1940s. It features double-curved laminated wood in the seat and back, and is an early example of knock-down furniture. This meant that it could be easily dismantled and assembled at its destination, which rendered the chair economical for transport on cargo ships and therefore could reach a worldwide audience. The AX went into production in 1950 and eventually gave way to a series that featured tables and other seating.

Hvidt’s proclivity for forward-looking design was typical of the venturesome furniture makers of the mid-century modern era. This extended to textures and materials, too — he believed that a tasteful combination of materials could add character and visual intrigue. With Mølgaard-Nielsen, Hvidt designed streamlined coffee tables, rosewood chairs upholstered with sumptuous black leather and teak side tables with cane shelves (teak was a sought-after material for designers at the time).

The duo’s work with celebrated manufacturers Fritz Hansen, France & Søn and Søborg Møbelfabrik has been a part of exhibitions at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen’s Design Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Peter Hvidt seating, tables and case pieces.

'AX' Chair, Hvidt & Mølgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt, Fritz Hansen
Located in London, GB
An 'AX' Chair with leather upholstery, designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen in 1948. This chair was made during the 1950s for Fritz Hansen. The designs of Hvidt & Mølgaa...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Peter Hvidt

Materials

Leather, Beech, Teak

'AX' Chair, Hvidt & Mølgaard, Denmark, 1950s
'AX' Chair, Hvidt & Mølgaard, Denmark, 1950s
H 29.14 in W 24.02 in D 28.35 in
AX Table Hvidt & Mølgaard Denmark, 1950s
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in London, GB
An 'AX' table designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. This table was made during the 1950s for Fritz Hansen. Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen designed their 'AX' collec...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Peter Hvidt

Materials

Beech, Teak

AX Table Hvidt & Mølgaard Denmark, 1950s
AX Table Hvidt & Mølgaard Denmark, 1950s
H 22.05 in W 36.03 in D 18.9 in
Scandinavian modern dining chair by Peter Hvidt, Denmark, 1950s
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful set of six dining chairs 'model 316' designed by Peter Hvidt in Denmark in 1955. Made in teak with seats of cognac colored leather.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Peter Hvidt

Materials

Leather, Teak

Teak Cabinets by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbelfabrik
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Littleton, CO
Teak bachelor's chest or tall sideboard by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbelfabrik. This lovely pair of stacked cabinets have been well cared by their origin...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Peter Hvidt

Materials

Teak

Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen set of corner sofas model FD451
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Braga, Braga
Modular living room set designed by the Danish architects Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen. It was produced in Denmark by France & Daverkosen during the 1950's. The set includes ...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Peter Hvidt

Materials

Fabric, Rattan, Teak

Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Coffee table model FD-516 , Teak
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Braga, Braga
Classic coffee table from the 1960s by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen. Rare model FD- 516. Frame and table top made of solid teak with an additional shel...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Peter Hvidt

Materials

Brass

1950s Solid Teak Coffee Table by Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Victoria, BC
We have a rarely seen solid teak coffee table designed by Peter Hvidt for France & Daverkosen, all shined up and on display in our Chinatown showroom. This special piece is perfectly...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Peter Hvidt

Materials

Teak

Stylish early pair of Boomerang armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Jesteburg, DE
A beautiful, stamped pair of Boomerang armchairs in l by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen designed in 1956 and edited by France & Søn between 1958 and 1966. This pair dates from t...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Peter Hvidt

Materials

Bouclé, Teak

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Creators Similar to Peter Hvidt

More Peter Hvidt Designs
Peter Hvidt Minerva 417 Abcc
Peter Hvidt Minerva 417 Abcc
Average Price
$8,384
Number Available
11
Peter Hvidt Minerva 417 Abcc
By Peter Hvidt
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Teak, Fabric
Styles
Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern
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Peter Hvidt furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Peter Hvidt furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Peter Hvidt furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Peter Hvidt were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Illum Wikkelsø, Grete Jalk, and Johannes Andersen. Prices for Peter Hvidt furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $664 and can go as high as $18,868, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,649.

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