'Minerva' Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Son, 1960s
View Similar Items
'Minerva' Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Son, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:France & Søn (Cabinetmaker),Hvidt & Mølgaard (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 53.15 in (135 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerp, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4678216025142
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.
- Folding stool by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Denmark 1959By Ludvig Pontoppidan, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Antwerp, BERare folding stool designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Ludvig Pontoppidan, Denmark 1959. This chair is made out of solid oak and still has the original black leather ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Sofa or daybed ‘Model No 4311’ by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia, Denmark 1950s.By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia StolefabrikLocated in Antwerp, BERare sofa or daybed ‘Model No 4311’ designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, Denmark 1950s. This sofa features a frame made out of oak and remains the original upholste...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsBrass
- Daybed in pine from Denmark, dating from the 1960s.By Charlotte PerriandLocated in Antwerp, BELovely daybed in pine from Denmark, dating from the 1960s. This piece features a pine frame with freshly re-upholsterd seat. Restored with love. In the manner of Charlotte Perriand V...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Pine
- Original ‘Togo’ designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France 1960’s.By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne RosetLocated in Antwerp, BEOriginal ‘Togo’ designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France 1960’s. This iconic sofa is completely made out of foam and is freshly re-upholstered in a wool blend fabric uphols...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Rare ‘Berlin’ daybed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden 1969By Firma Karl Mathsson, Bruno MathssonLocated in Antwerp, BERare ‘Berlin’ daybed designed by Bruno Mathsson for Firma Karl Mathsson, Sweden 1969. This first edition daybed has the original canvas upholstery with leather cognac buttons. The fr...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsBeech
$4,116 Sale Price35% Off - Very rare three seater sofa by Giovanni Offredi for Saportiti, Italy 1970s.By Giovanni Offredi, SaporitiLocated in Antwerp, BEVery rare three seater sofa by Giovanni Offredi for Saportiti, Italy 1970s. This sofa features a frame made out of ash wood and features...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Ash
$7,862 Sale Price20% Off
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, FD 451 sofa bed for France & Søn, 1960sBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & SønLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaA beautiful FD451 articulated two seater sofa bed, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn in Denmark around the 1960s. One interesting feature of this ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsCane, Teak
- 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
- 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
- Minerva Sofa Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen France & SønBy France & Søn, Peter HvidtLocated 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
- '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
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Daybed / Sofa Produced by France & SonBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare minerva daybed / sofa designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Teak