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.
Scandinavian 2-Seat Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Paris, FR
Scandinavian two-seat sofa Minerva by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, Denmark. Teak structure with black leatherette upholstered seat and cushions. This vintage sofa can be tran...
Faux Leather, Teak
$8,000
H 32 in W 80 in D 30 in
Teak & Cane "FD" Sofa by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Søn, Hvidt & Mølgaard, John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make your living room the envy of the neighborhood with this breathtaking teak & rattan sofa designed by legendary Scandinavian Modern duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. ...
Brass
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Daybed Sofa France & Søn
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Daverkosen, France & Søn
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Daybed vom dänischen Hersteller France & Søn / France & Daverkosen aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa wurde von Peter Hvidt & Orl...
Teak
$16,499
H 32.29 in W 106.3 in D 82.68 in
Danish Design Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Teak, 1950
By France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Extremely rare & stunning! This fully original ''Minerva seating group'' by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen 1950. The design & luxurious feeling of this set are just superb. The combination of teak, rattan, wool & chrome are breathtaking. It looks stunning from any angle with the minimalist teak & chrome backrests so you can place it in the center of your room. The set has its original finish & original padded wool upholstery in grey/green. which remains in amazing condition! The FD516 coffee table...
Chrome
$3,495
H 30.75 in W 24 in D 29 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Boomerang FD-134 Lounge Chair, Denmark
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Great Vintage Condition Dimensions: 24” L x 29” D x 30.75” H (16.25” SH) Description: A vintage solid teak & brass FD134 lounge chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Niel...
Brass
$3,895
H 29.5 in W 64.25 in D 31 in
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Mid Century Teak and Cane Daybed
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Mid Century Teak and Cane Daybed This daybed measures: 64.25 wide x 31 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 25.2...
Upholstery, Cane, Teak
$10,093
H 31.11 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Daybed / Sofa Produced by France & Son
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare minerva daybed / sofa designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Fabric, Cane, Teak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Armchair Model.350
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
An armchair manufactured in the 1960s (estimated). Designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard, it embodies the ultimate in simplicity and functional beauty. The materials combine fine...
Cane, Oak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Daybed Sofa France & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid-century modern Danish sofa featuring a sleek, low-profile frame and fresh green upholstery. Recently reupholstered for comfort and longevity, this piece combines elegan...
Fabric, Teak
$4,013
H 30.32 in W 75.2 in D 29.93 in
Minerva Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn, Denmark 19
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Søn
Located in Hellouw, NL
Stunning ‘minerva’ sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn from the 1960s. Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen have played a significant role in the internatio...
Fabric, Teak
$1,026
H 30.71 in W 23.63 in D 25.6 in
Model AX 6060 Club Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt, Fritz Hansen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in London, GB
This iconic chair is the AX 6060 model created by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen in the 1950's. The model features soft curved lines and beautifully crafted det...
Leather, Beech, Teak
$10,093
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 30.71 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Sofa Model Minerva by France & Daverkosen
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa model Minerva designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark.
Steel
$2,450
H 30.25 in W 24.25 in D 28 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen "Ax" Lounge Chair for Fritz Hansen
By Peter Hvidt, Fritz Hansen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking chair designed by architects Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen in collaboration with the famous artisan company Fritz Hansen in Denmark circa 1960s. Our chair uses quali...
Fabric, Foam, Laminate, Wood
Canape "MINERVA" by Peter Hvidt and Olga Molgaard Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Saint Ouen, France
Scandinavian three-seater sofa "Minerva" by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, Denmark. Teak frame with green woollen seat and back. This vintage piece of furniture can be transfor...
Fabric, Teak