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.
"Minerva" sofa by France & Søn
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Søn, Peter Hvidt
Located in Brescia, IT
Danish 1960s sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn. Struttura in teak, giunzioni in acciaio, cuscini nuovi grigio ghiaccio sfoderabili. "Minerva" model design...
Fabric, Teak
$8,852 / set
H 32.68 in W 74.81 in D 29.93 in
Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for France & Søn, 1960s
By Peter Hvidt, France & Søn
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern Minerva corner sofa set. Design by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for France & Søn. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Solid ...
Chrome
$34,014
H 33.67 in W 77.17 in D 42.52 in
Huge Restored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
By Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with vintage brown le...
Leather
Finn Juhl Jupiter Sofa France and Son Denmark 1965 Black
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Danish modern so called Jupiter sofa model 218 designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by France and Son, Denmark 1965. The sofa has a solid rosewood frame...
Leather, Rosewood
$16,400
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 Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Daverkosen
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
$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 Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Søn, Peter Hvidt, 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. Buil...
Brass
$34,014
H 37.21 in W 82.29 in D 33.27 in
Antique Howard & Sons Portarlington Large Sofa Original Ticking Upholstery
By Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning exceptionally rare and original Howard & Son's circa 1910-1920 Portarlington three seat large sofa with duvet padded arms and feather and fibr...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique midcentury sofa features stylish curved armrests, original studded upholstery, and a unique finish. Please confirm item location (NY or ...
Upholstery
$5,889
H 29.53 in W 84.65 in D 31.11 in
Sofa / Daybed "Minerva" by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen France & Søn, 60s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sofa daybed from the 1960s by France and Søn made of teakwood. This piece is featuring two cushioned armrests. The piece has been restored and covered with a light grey fabric "Halli...
Wool, Teak
$6,500
H 31 in W 100.5 in D 30 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Minerva Daybed Sofa France and Sons Denmark
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage Rare Extra Long Danish modern Minerva Daybed Sofa. Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart circa 1960's. Beautiful sleek Mid Century Design. Rare extra long size...
Teak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Daybed Sofa France & Søn
By Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
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 & Orla Mølgaard-N...
Teak
$4,081
H 33.08 in W 71.26 in D 41.74 in
Hand Dyed Restored Bordeaux Reddish Brown Leather Howard & Son's Style Sofa
By Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this nicely restored Bordeaux brown leather three seat sofa A good looking and decorative sofa, the leather has been refurbished, it has a lovel...
Leather
$10,032
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
Sold
H 31.11 in W 63 in D 31.5 in
Cane Panels FD451 Sofa, Daybed Seating Group by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard
By Peter Hvidt, France & Daverkosen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Beautiful seating group by Danish designer duo Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen. Hvidt & Nielsen designed this seating group in 1956 for the Danish company France & Daverkosen. Daverkosen, who was originally a mattress manufacturer, made an important decision to start making furniture and to attract leading designers such as Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen and Finn Juhl. The company later changed its name into 'France & Son' and grew into one of the most important Danish furniture manufacturers of the 20th century. This seating group consists of 2 sofa's model FD451 with braided cane panel sides that can easily be folded down after which the sofas can be used as a daybed. Between the two sofas is a matching corner table, model 519...
Brass
Sofa by Peter Hvidt for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Long Island City, NY
A handsome Danish three-seat sofa with a double row of button tufts and the original pale-green mohair velvet. The construction is sturdy and the profile gracefully inviting.
Beech, Mohair
Danish Modern Sofa or Settee by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish modern sofa, settee, or bench, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, probably produced by France and Sons, Denmark, and retailed by John Stuart, NYC, circa 1960s....
Bouclé, Rush, Teak
Teak Frame Settee with Drop Down Cane Sides by Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Ferndale, MI
Teak frame settee with drop down cane sides by Peter Hvidt for France and Sons.