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.
‘Portex’ settee by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen in Teak & Beech
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Minneapolis, MN
a very rare and curvy settee in laminated teak and beechwood, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard Nielsen in the 1940's. sold originally by Polexim Copenhagen. Professional...
Beech, Teak
Loveseat in oak and teak by Hvidt & Mølgaard, Denmark.
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in København K, DK
Love seat or 2 seat sofa in teak and oak with original spring cushions. Designed and produced by Hvidt and Mølgaard and France and Daverkosen, Denmark 1950.
Oak, Teak
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
$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, France & Søn, Hvidt & Mølgaard, John Stuart, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
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. Buil...
Brass
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa late 1940s-1950s. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on beech leg...
Wool, Beech
FD 130 Armchair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1960
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Barcelona, ES
Armchair model FD 130 designed in 1960 by danish designers Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen, Denmark. Early edition in hardwood with new upholstery in Kvad...
Fabric, Hardwood
$10,285
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 30.71 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Sofa Model Minerva by France & Daverkosen
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa model Minerva designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark.
Steel
$449Sale Price / item|22% Off
H 32.68 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Dining Stackable Chairs Model Portex
By Fritz Hansen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Vienna, AT
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Dining chairs/stackable chairs, model Portex. Designed in 1945. Produced by Fritz Hansen in the 1960s. They come in a fully renewed finitio...
Beech
$16,822
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 Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Daverkosen, 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
$3,595
H 33.75 in W 80.75 in D 31.5 in
Tufted Leather Balinese Style Danish Modern Solid Teak and Cane Sofa
By Peter Hvidt, Finn Juhl
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Although not marked by the maker, this exceptional, vintage (late 1970s / early 1980s) solid teak sofa has a distinctive Danish modern design but may actually be Canadian. The sofa f...
Leather, Teak, Cane
Danish Modern Teak Sectional Sofa by Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Daverkosen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This stunning two-piece sectional sofa represents the pinnacle of Danish modern design, created by the renowned design duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkos...
Chrome
$2,295
H 28.5 in W 50 in D 29.75 in
2- Seater Loveseat in Solid Teak & Original Fabric, Domino Møbler, Denmark, 1970
By Domino Møbler
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a splendid Danish-made two-seater loveseat that is as comfortable as it is stylish. Crafted in the mid-1970's by the lauded Domino Møbler this petite sofa is crafted fro...
Teak
$4,037
H 33.08 in W 24.81 in D 30.71 in
Danish Armchair in Teak & Oak by Pater Hvidt Mid Century Lounge Chair, 1950s
By France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in London, GB
Danish armchair designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France & Daverkosen, model FD 145, dating from the 1950s. This is a beautifully balanced piece, showcasing the d...
Wool, Oak, Teak
$10,285
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
Sold
H 28.35 in W 63.78 in D 35.44 in
Daybed Model FD 451 designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt
Located in London, England
Beautiful sofa or daybed model FD 451 designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Søn in Denmark. Teak frame, with woven cane details....
Sheepskin, Wool, Cane, Teak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 47.63 in L 31.5 in
Minerva Danish Modern Teak Loveseat Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielson
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Designed in the 1960s by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mørlgaard-Nielsen for production by France & Sons of Denmark, this sleek and streamlined two-seat daybed loveseat is executed in thick s...
Iron
Sold
H 31.5 in W 53.25 in D 30 in
Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielson Danish Teak Loveseat "Minerva" Sofa
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Søn, Peter Hvidt
Located in Peabody, MA
Teak Minerva two-seat loveseat sofa, designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen, produced by France and Sons, Made in Denmark, circa 1960s.
Upholstery, Teak
Early Pair of lounge chairs by Peter Hvidt for Fritz Hansen
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Dallas, TX
An early pair of one arm lounge chairs that can be used separately or together as a loveseat. From Peter Hvidts AX series for Fritz Hansen.