Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Model 146 Easy Chair, France & Son, 1950s
View Similar Items
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Model 146 Easy Chair, France & Son, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 25.99 in (66 cm)Depth: 24.41 in (62 cm)Seat Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Wargrave, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: Hvidt Easy Chair1stDibs: LU839534103462
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.
France & Søn
Danish manufacturer France & Søn is best known for its prolific output of elegant mid-century modern furnishings in teak and leather, yet its multinational beginnings took shape during the 1930s.
After businessman Charles William Fearnley France (1897–1972) moved from his native England to Denmark in 1936, he began to operate a small mattress factory alongside his friend Eric Daverkosen, a Danish cabinetmaker, under the name France & Daverkosen. Shortly afterward, Daverkosen passed away, and when Denmark was invaded during the Second World War, Charles was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany. When he was released, the British entrepreneur set out to produce furniture in the early 1950s, setting up a shop in Hillerød to manufacture the kind of sleek beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. In 1957, France’s son James joined the business, and the company changed its name to reflect the addition.
Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, France & Søn produced a stunning array — and staggering quantity — of designs, with elegant modernist lounge chairs and armchairs, teak and rosewood dining tables and other furnishings by the likes of Finn Juhl, Grete Valk, Ole Wanscher, Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen all gracing its catalogues.
Even as there was a focus on mass production at France & Søn — and the brand doesn’t quite enjoy the same renown as fellow mid-century Danish furniture makers such as Carl Hansen & Søn — Charles France believed in making quality furniture, and the company’s offerings evoke the warmth of the handcrafted work that is typically associated with Scandinavian modernism.
In the 1960s, the company was bought by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s. Surviving examples of early work from the brand as well as modern icons by the likes of Verner Panton that followed in later years continue to be in demand.
Find a collection of France & Søn furniture on 1stDibs.
- Finn Juhl, Pair of Teak Easy Chairs, Model Fd138, France & Son, 1959By Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Wargrave, BerkshirePair of Easy Chairs by Finn Juhl, model FD138 in teak, produced by France & Son, Denmark, circa 1959 One chair has France & Son label to back stretcher Reupholstered in ochre a...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Gio Ponti for Cassina, Harlequin Set of Leggera Chairs, Model 646 in Ash, 1950sBy Gio Ponti, CassinaLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireGio Ponti for Cassina, Harlequin Set of Four Leggera Chairs, Model 646, 1950s Ash frames, recently re-upholstered in Kvadrat fabric in yellow, green, red and orange. Good condition...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Ash
- Jean Prouvé, Pair of Standard Chairs, model 306, circa 1950By Jean ProuvéLocated in Wargrave, BerkshirePair of original "semi-metal" Standard chairs, model 306, designed by Jean Prouvé, and dating from around 1950. Constructed from plywood with the original ribbed vinyl covering and...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Enamel
- Franco Albini for Poggi circa 1950, Folding ChairBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireFranco Albini for Poggi, Italy, circa 1950. A folding chair of wooden construction in completely original untouched vintage condition. Mech...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Hans J Wegner, Valet Chair, Model JH540 in Teak and Oak, Designed 1953, StampedBy Hans J. Wegner, Johannes HansenLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireHans J Wegner (1914-2007), Valet Chair, model no. JH540, teak and oak, original edition produced by Johannes Hansen, 1953. Underside impressed with manufacturer’s mark: JOHANNES ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsOak, Teak
- Gianfranco Frattini, Pair of Lounge Chairs, model 849 for Cassina, 1950sBy Gianfranco Frattini, CassinaLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireStunning pair of lounge chairs, designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Cassina, 1950s. Model 849 in walnut, newly reupholstered in white bouclé fabric 74cm high, 84cm wide...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Easy Chairs Model 146 by France & SonBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated 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
- Danish 1950s Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Boomerang Chair, France & SonBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Shepperton, SurreyDesigned by Architects Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen in 1954 the Boomerang chair is one of the most elegant chair designs of the Mid Century period. Often looking more Italian...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Lounge Chairs for France & SønBy France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of stunning Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen lounge chairs designed for France & Søn in Denmark circa 1950s. This design uses quality teak wood and a few studio Craft techniq...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood, Teak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Easy Chair Model X-Chair / FH-6135By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated 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
- Scandinavian Dining Chairs by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, Model 316By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Karlstad, SESet of 6 dining chairs model 316 by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, Denmark. These chairs feature a teak frame with cognac-colored aniline leather sea...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Expertly Restored -Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Model FD-146 Lounge ChairBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Daverkosen, Peter HvidtLocated in Los Angeles, CALounge Chair designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen in Denmark circa 1950’s. This stunning Model FD-146 features a walnut-stained beechwood frame wit...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFoam, Beech