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.
Peter Hvidt Mid-Century Teak Dining Table & Six Chairs for John Stuart Furniture
By John Stuart Inc., Peter Hvidt
Located in New York, NY
Peter Hvidt Mid-Century Teak Dining Table & Six Chairs for John Stuart Furniture. Excellent Vintage condition with age appropriate wear. Table is expandable but missing leaf. Also...
Upholstery, Teak
Danish Dining Table & Five Chairs Set In Teak By Peter Hvidt & Poul Hundevad
By Peter Hvidt, Poul Hundevad
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A 1960s Danish dining table and five-chair set in teak by Peter Hvidt (table) and Poul Hundevad (chairs). Table Length: 163cm, Width (fully extended): 143cm, Width (1 leaf extended)...
Brass
$1,370
H 25.2 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
Coffee Corner Table in Teak and Cane by Peter Hvidt, Denmark, 1955
By France & Daverkosen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury solid teak corner table with woven rattan shelf. Excellent for use as a side table or sofa table manufactured by France and Sons designer ...
Teak
$3,082 / set
H 28.75 in W 72.05 in D 31.11 in
Mid Century Dining table and Chairs by John Herbert for A Younger
By Herbert John Day
Located in Seaford, GB
Mid Century Vintage mid century teak dining Table by John Herbert for A Younger Ltd – Circa 1960s Sussex Elevate your dining space with this rare Mid Century Vintage Fonseca Table ...
Teak
$2,128 / set
H 29.14 in W 55.91 in D 53.94 in
1960s Mid-Century dining table and dining chairs by Schreiber Furniture
By Schreiber
Located in London, GB
Founded in 1957 by Chaim Schrieber, Schreiber furniture is an interesting British success story. The Company was one of the biggest names in furniture in the 70s, rivalling G Plan a...
Faux Leather, Formica, Beech
Dining Table, Peter Hvidt & Orla Møllgaard
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Montclair, NJ
Rare dining table, partly jacaranda, probably for Ludvig Pontoppidan, Denmark, unmarked, 1950s / 1960s. Reportedly purchased in Copenhagen 1967/1968. Unknown maker.
Jacaranda
1950s Solid Teak Danish Coffee Table by Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Victoria, BC
Elegant Danish teak coffee table, a creation by Peter Hvidt for France & Daverkosen in the 1950s. Meticulously crafted from solid teak, it highlights the wood's stunning grain. Recen...
Teak
$3,998
H 29.14 in Dm 45.67 in
Peter Hvidt Round Extendable Solid Teak Dining Table, Made in Denmark, 1959
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Peter Hvidt extandable dining table created in 1959 by Soborg Mobler. Featuring a beautiful solid teak wood construction, and a solid teak floating top with clean lines, organic shap...
Teak
Pair of Peter Hvidt Teak Crescent Tables
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Model 523 tables, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France and Son. The clever nesting design allows for the tables to be used as singular side tables, or...
Teak
$3,140 / set
H 30 in W 42 in D 64 in
Mid Century Broyhill Conover Furniture Co. Table 6 Caned back Chairs Dining Set
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a great looking mid century Broyhill Conover Furniture Co. dining room set including a table two three leg supports and one leaf, 2 arm and 4 side chairs. The entire set is ...
Cane, Wood
$4,400
H 17 in W 59 in D 21 in
John Stuart Solid Teak Rolled Edges Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table Mint!
By France & Søn, John Stuart Inc.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
John Stuart solid teak rolled Edges Danish Mid-Century Modern coffee table mint!
Teak
$1,075Sale Price|34% Off
H 22 in W 27.5 in D 16.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Rolling Table Bar Cart After Poul Hundevad
By Poul Hundevad
Located in Plainview, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Danish rolling bar cart attributed to the iconic designs of Poul Hundevad ( Danish 1917 -2011), reflecting the impeccable craftsmanship and minimalist elegance o...
Teak
$2,895
H 19 in W 58 in D 21 in L 19 in
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France & Son Danish Teak Coffee Table
By France & Søn, Svend Åge Madsen, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Designed in 1956 by celebrated Danish architects and designers Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn, this iconic Model FD516 coffee table exemplifies the refine...
Teak, Cane
$800Sale Price|60% Off
H 15.75 in W 22.25 in D 22.25 in
1950s Bauhaus Teak Marble Geometric Side Table Danish John Stuart
By John Stuart Inc.
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Teak frame bears the John Stuart medallion. Top is removable from the frame, and it fits nice and snug. The salvage Carrera Marble was added, original teak top was destroyed. The ...
Teak
$2,730Sale Price|35% Off
H 20 in W 30 in D 30 in
Danish Modern Teak Side Table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt, John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, Mid-Century Modern, dark teak, side table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen sold by John Stuart features sleigh legs that are interesting from all angles. Two table...
Teak
$7,425
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 35.44 in
Poul Hundevad & Kai Winding Dining Table by Poul Hundevad & Co in Denmark
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare dining table / work table designed by Poul Hundevad & Kai Winding. Produced by Poul Hundevad & Co. in Denmark.
Rosewood
Danish Mid-Century Teak Drop Leaf End Table by Peter Hvidt, 1950s
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century rectangular teak end/side table with two drop leaves, supported by a four legged frame with a bottom stretcher shelf. (PETER HVIDT)(Similar tables: DUF0382, DUF038...
Wood, Teak
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Soborg Dining Set
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Modern Danish Teak Dining Set, Table and 4 Chairs, by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard for Soborg Mobelfabrik Circa 1950’s. Set includes four model 317 Armchairs in solid te...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Six Moller Model-71 Dining Chairs w Peter Hvidt Model-311 Dining Table, 1950s
By Peter Hvidt, Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pairing of six Moller Model-71 dining chairs with rush seating and a Peter Hvidt Model-311 Extendable teak dining table. This set was originally purchased in circa late 1...
Teak, Rush
Sold
H 29.14 in W 55.12 in D 35.44 in
Nordic Mid-Century Modern Diningset by Peter Hvidt Denmark, 1956
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful dining table set by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møblefabrik.Includes an extendable table with self-storing leaves on each end, quality of the extendab...
Teak
Teak Dining Set by Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Dallas, TX
A teak dining table with eight teak and Danish cord chairs by Peter Hvidt.