Danish Minerva Sofa in Mohair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Hvidt & Mølgaard (Designer),France & Søn (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 74.81 in (190 cm)Depth: 30.32 in (77 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Renens, CH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5599234890672
Hvidt & Mølgaard
Warm, exceptionally versatile and crafted with a range of appealing materials, vintage Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen furniture showcases the Danish duo’s penchant for innovation and durable design. For decades, the pair created sleek coffee tables, seductive lounge chairs and other pieces that are characterized by the practicality and elegance commonly attributed to Scandinavian modernism.
Both Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen attended what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, with Mølgaard-Nielsen having completed his studies under the Danish furniture design pioneer and architect Kaare Klint. Trained as an architect and cabinetmaker, Hvidt established his own firm in 1940 and taught at his alma mater for a few years. After they won a design competition held in Stockholm, Hvidt partnered with Mølgaard-Nielsen in 1944 to establish their firm in Copenhagen.
The collaboration between Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen yielded more than 250 designs and lasted over 30 years. Aside from having created a wardrobe for the Queen of Denmark as well as numerous architectural structures, the pair’s flagship achievements include 1944’s teak Portex chair, which is Denmark’s first-ever stacking chair (and is occasionally attributed to Hvidt alone), and the AX chair.
A masterpiece of technical expertise and innovative woodworking, the sculptural AX armchair shares commonalities with the work of legendary Finnish designer Alvar Aalto — whose output included similarly curvaceous seating such as the Paimio armchair, often designed in partnership with his wife, Aino. It features double-curved laminated wood in the seat and back — which could be mass-produced — 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.
While vintage Hvidt & Mølgaard furniture isn’t as popular as the work of Finn Juhl, a like-minded Danish modernist who helped popularize Scandinavian design in America as well as the use of teak in furniture, the innovative AX chair is similarly as expressive and inviting as Juhl’s seating. The AX was designed in collaboration with manufacturer Fritz Hansen during the late 1940s and went into production in 1950. It gave way to a series that includes tables and other types of seating.
Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen collaborated regularly with Fritz Hansen, France & Søn and Søborg Møbelfabrik. Their work can be found in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen’s Design Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.
Find vintage Hvidt & Mølgaard dining tables, coffee tables, modular sofas, storage cabinets and more on 1stDibs.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: La Sarraz, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Reupholstered in Bouclé Theo Ruth “115” Sofa for Artifort, 1950sBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Renens, CHReupholstered 115 sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort (The Netherlands). The Sofa has been reupholstered with new foam and a soft bouclé/sheep wool style fabric. The material used is v...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Danish Design Colonial Lounge Chair and Ottoman, by Ole Wanscher, 1950sBy Poul Jeppesen, Ole WanscherLocated in Renens, CHVintage Danish design Colonial lounge chair and ottoman, by Ole Wanscher, 1950s Designed by Ole Wanscher, one of the leading figures of the 20th century Scandinavian design movement. The colonial chair is considered by many to be Ole Wanscher’s masterpiece, influenced by the 18th century colonial period furniture. Compared to other colonial style chairs...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- 1950s Danish Design Classic Finn Juhl “Spade” Armchair, Upholstered in MohairBy Finn Juhl, France & DaverkosenLocated in Renens, CHFinn Juhl, a Danish architect born in 1912, started his own practice in 1945 where he specialized in designing both interiors and furniture. His works were of high standard and techn...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMohair, Teak
- Danish Design Finn Juhl Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Japan SeriesBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in Renens, CHFinn Juhl’s Japan series is one of his most sought after furniture, its design (1953) was based on the Miamjima water gate nearby Hiroshima. Finn Juhl, a Danish architect born in 19...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Swiss Production Grasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1950sBy Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Renens, CHGrasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll The Grasshopper (or model 61) chair was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1946, it was actually the first chair designed for the Knoll company, and turned out as an immediate success. Saarinen, an American but Finnish-born architect / industrial designer, was one of the main influencers of the new, modernist style now typical for mid-century American furniture design. His aim has always been to use simple forms, provide a comfortable user experience, while applying new techniques and often in cooperation with others. The use of laminated birch wood, regularly seen in the designs of Charles and Ray Eames is no coincidence, since they have worked together in the early 1940s. Other well-known pieces are the Womb Chair, and the Tulip or Pedestal series. Our lounge chair is a Knoll International original, a licensed early Swiss...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Wood
- Brazilian Design Costela Lounge Chairs by Hauner & Eisler for Forma, 1950sBy Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, FormaLocated in Renens, CHThe Costela (Rib) chairs and sofas by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler became an instant success after their introduction in the Brazilian market, and it wasn’t for long that productio...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Boomerang Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard NielsenBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis is a very good original example of this classic chair, freshly upholstered in white boucle.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- "Minerva" Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Møllgaard, Denmark, 1950sBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in Stockholm, SE“Minerva” sofa by Peter Hvidt and Orla Møllgaard, made up from two sections. Can be easily switched into a daybed by removing the back cushions. Made fro...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Oversize Minerva Sofa by France & SonBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in Highland, INFinely crafted by France & Søn, this rare, extra large version of the Minerva sofa or daybed has a frame of solid teak with steel fittings and comfortable spring cushions which have ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Danish 2-Seater Teak Sofa Model Minerva by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard NielsenBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FRSuperb Scandinavian sofa, 2 armrests with their cushions, all the fabrics, seat, backrest and cushion have their original structure and have been reupholstered in cream terry fabric....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen 'Silverline' Lounge Chair in LeatherBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in Waalwijk, NLPeter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France & Søn, 'Silverline' lounge chair, Ohmann Colorado nubuck leather, teak, aluminum, Denmark, 1960s Presenting a stylish lounge chair wit...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Danish Daybed Sofa Lounge Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard NielsenBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in KINGSFORD, NSWDanish 'Minerva' Daybed Sofa Lounge Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for France and Sons. Designed and produced in the 1960s this design classic is named after the god of wisdom...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsWood