2 Portex Easy Chairs by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen, circa 1940
View Similar Items
2 Portex Easy Chairs by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen, circa 1940
About the Item
- Creator:Peter Hvidt (Designer),Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 24.41 in (62 cm)Depth: 22.05 in (56 cm)Seat Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU103983316122
Peter Hvidt
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 Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard for France & Son, Denmark 1950By Peter Hvidt, France & SønLocated in Amsterdam, NLA wonderful sofa / daybed, model “Minerva”, designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard and manufactured by France & Son in Denmark around 1950. Made of high quality teak wood in a beau...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Airport Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, circa 1960By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Amsterdam, NLStunning "Airport" chair by Arne Jacobsen, manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark, circa 1960. The chair has high quality chrome metal base and yellow or green fabric upholstery....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome, Metal
- Rare Thonet Deck Chair Model 480, circa 1930By Thonet, Hans & Wassili LuckhardtLocated in Amsterdam, NLRare deck chair manufactured by Thonet with original upholstery, circa 1930. The chair is possible to reclinate and to fold it totally. Beechwood and fabric. Labeled in the backside with Thonet G80. In great vintage condition, preserving a beautiful patina with some minor scratches in the fabric. One of the handles is new. First design named Siesta chair designed by Hans and Wassily...Category
Vintage 1930s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Pair of “1590” Easy Chairs by Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940By Fritz HansenLocated in Amsterdam, NLA very rare of lounge chairs, model “1590”, manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark around 1940. This iconic set is made of high quality wood with a wonderful curved finish. It has ...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Easy Chair Model "KS46" by Anton Lorenz for Thonet, Germany, circa 1980By Anton Lorenz, ThonetLocated in Amsterdam, NLRare easy chair model "KS46" designed by Anton Lorenz circa 1950, manufactured by Thonet in Germany, circa 1980. The beautifully designed base of the chair is made of chrome metal...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome, Metal
- 1950s Easy chair by Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti, ItalyBy Saporiti, Augusto BozziLocated in Amsterdam, NLA lovely lounge chair designed by Augusto Bozzi and manufactured by Saporiti in Italy around 1950. The chair features a sturdy grey metal base that provides stability and compleme...Category
Vintage 1950s European Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard Nielsen Portex Easy Chairs, 1944By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantFantastic pair of easy chairs designed by Peter Hvidt (Designer) and Orla Molgaar Nielsen (Architect and Designer) for Portex, Denmark 1944. This chair was originally designed as stacking armchair for dining...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen X-Chairs Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1979By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Etten-Leur, NLFantastically shaped pair of lounge chairs model X-Chair designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1979. These sculptural chairs feature a black lacqu...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Easy Chair Model X-Chair / FH-6135By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare easy chair model X-chair / FH-6135 designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCanvas, Mahogany
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Easy Chairs Model 146 by France & SonBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare pair of easy chairs model 146 designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Bouclé, Teak, Cane
- Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Teak ArmchairBy Peter Hvidt, John Stuart Inc., Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Garnerville, NYPeter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen teak scoop armchair. Manufactured in Denmark by France and Daverkosen. Freshly upholstered fabric a...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak, Upholstery
$2,275 Sale Price35% Off - Peter Hvidt & Orla Mölgaard Nielsen Lounge Chairs Model 1748By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt, Fritz HansenLocated in New York, NYPeter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen lounge chairs / club chairs model 1748 produced through Fritz Hansen. A noted Danish design by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen of an upholster...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsWool