Dormeuse "Minerva" by Peter Hvidt for France and Sons, Denmark, Teak and Fabric
View Similar Items
Dormeuse "Minerva" by Peter Hvidt for France and Sons, Denmark, Teak and Fabric
About the Item
- Creator:France & Søn (Manufacturer),Peter Hvidt (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 76.38 in (194 cm)Depth: 30.71 in (78 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:MIlano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4860215396662
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.
- Danish Midcentury FD544 Coffee Table, France & Son for France & Daverkosen 1960By France & Søn, France & DaverkosenLocated in MIlano, ITDanish mid century modern square solid teak FD544 coffee table by France & Son for France & Daverkosen, 1960s. Coffee table model FD544, of Danish origin, entirely in solid teak woo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Italian Mid-Century Pink and Grey Fabric Sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980sBy Arflex, Marcello CuneoLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century pink and grey fabric sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980s Two seater sofa mod. Giubba fully padded and covered in fabric. The s...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Italian Space Age Fabric Aluminum Armchairs by Joe Colombo for Sormani, 1970sBy Joe ColomboLocated in MIlano, ITItalian space age Fabric and aluminum Armchairs by Joe Colombo for Sormani, 1970s Pair of armchairs made up of rectangular modules with rounded edges of different sizes, placed side by side. These are padded and upholstered in orange / salmon pink fabric. The modular structure is in aluminum. Also be used as a two-seater sofa. Produced by Sormani in 1970s and designed by Joe Colombo. Mark on the structure. The are part of the Additional System...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Italian Modern Grey Fabric and Black Iron Foliage Sofa by Kartell, 2000sBy KartellLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Grey fabric and black iron Foliage sofa by Kartell, 2000s Two seater Foliage sofa with tubular structure in black painted iron. The seat and back are padded with poly...Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsIron
- Italian modern steel and fabric Wave armchair by Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti 1974By Saporiti, Giovanni OffrediLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern steel and fabric Wave armchair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1974. Wave model armchair, with original orange fabric and satin steel structure and legs. Prod...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Italian modern steel and fabric Wave sofa by Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti 1974By Saporiti, Giovanni OffrediLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern steel and fabric Wave sofa by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1974. Wave model two seater sofa, with original orange fabric and satin steel structure and legs. P...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Hvidt and Mølgaard-nielsen for France & Søn 'Minerva' Daybed in TeakBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in Waalwijk, NLPeter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn, 'Minerva' daybed, teak, metal, fabric, Denmark, design 1957, production 1960s. This elegant daybed or sofa is named 'Minerva'...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Danish Modern Solid Teak "Minerva" Daybed / Sofa by Peter Hvidt for John StuartBy Peter Hvidt, John StuartLocated in San Diego, CAAn absolutely gorgeous Danish modern solid teak "Minerva" daybed / sofa by Peter Hvidt for John Stuart, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good original vintage condition with a brigh...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsTeak, Chenille
$3,400 Sale Price20% Off - “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
- Minerva Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn, Denmark 19By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt, France & SønLocated in Hellouw, NLStunning ‘minerva’ sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn from the 1960s. Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen have played a significant role in the internatio...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- 'Minerva' Daybed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgard Nielsen for France & SonBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in Little Burstead, EssexAn excellent example of classic Scandinavian modern daybed, best quality Teak and freshly reupholstered in white boucle.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Minerva Sofa Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen France & SønBy Peter Hvidt, France & SønLocated in Neuss, NWWonderful Minerva sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen from the 1960s. Solid teak frame. The original spring core has been reupholstered and cover...Category
Vintage 1960s European Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak