Danish Teak Secretary Desk and Cabinet by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
View Similar Items
Danish Teak Secretary Desk and Cabinet by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 37.25 in (94.62 cm)Width: 35.25 in (89.54 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Very lightly refurbished to restore color and continuity of the original oil finish.
- Seller Location:Littleton, CO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5401233357072
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.
- Teak Cabinets by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg MøbelfabrikBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Littleton, COTeak bachelor's chest or tall sideboard by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbelfabrik. This lovely pair of stacked cabinets have been well cared by their origin...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
$4,600 Sale Price29% Off - 1960s Danish Sofa by Kurt Østervig for Jorgen RyesbergBy Jørgen Ryesberg, Kurt ØstervigLocated in Littleton, COThis handsome and understated 4-seat sofa by Kurt Østervig for Jorgen Ryesberg in Denmark was made in the 1960s and imported by Schiller’s. Original upholstery in remarkable vintag...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Upholstery, Teak
- Dining or Desk Chair by Ernest Farmer for George Nelson and AssociatesBy Ernest Farmer, George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Littleton, COA rare birch dining or desk chair by Ernest Farmer of George Nelson and Associates for Herman Miller. Professional reupholstery available at pass-thro...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch
$660 Sale Price20% Off - Porsche 944 and 356 Watercolor by David LordBy David LordLocated in Littleton, COExtraordinary watercolor on paper of two Porsche automobiles, a 944 and a 356 by famed automotive and aviation artist David Lord. Signed and dated, 1985. Image dimensions: 16.75” x 20.75”. Chromed frame dimensions: 24.25” x 27.25”. About David Lord by Randy Leffingwell: Inspiration for David Lord to draw and paint came from hours spent as a child at a drawing board set next to his talented grandmother’s easel. “She painted flowers and landscapes . . . I drew cars, boats, airplanes and army tanks.” In addition, a beloved, dedicated, high school teacher, who “instilled the love of art history, taught me art skills and techniques, and the ability to ‘know what to keep . . . and what to leave out’ of my art.” A New Englander by birth, David attended high school in Connecticut. Art was his favorite class and he kept his eighth grade dream of going to art school alive with hundreds of hours spent drawing cars and planes. After high school, he began two years of art studies at the University of Hartford in Connecticut and then began training at Art center College of Design in Los Angeles, California. After two semesters there, general Motors granted him a full scholarship. He graduated in 1965 as a Bachelor of professional Arts in Industrial Design. Upon graduation, Lord was hired by UniRoyal in South bend, Indiana, to design consumer products and eventually products for military application in Vietnam. “I also had the honor and privilege of working with Gordon Buehrig on the preliminary design, drawings, and clay for the 8/10 scale Cord, built of vacuum-formable, color impregnated plastic. After three years with a South Bend industrial design firm, Lord started his own company. During this period he spent many late evenings at the easel in his own studio, painting and drawing automobiles. The direction of his artwork, philosophy and goals began to form. “I decided to focus my love of all things automotive with my talent for painting and drawing. I had been to many events over the years; councours, car and air shows, had an extensive automotive reference collection and four major influences and mentors. These were men whose talent I was in awe over the years; Peter Helck, Walter Gotschke...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Paintings
MaterialsPaint, Paper
- Philip Arctander Sheepskin Clam Chair by Vik & BlindheimBy Vik & Blindheim, Philip ArctanderLocated in Littleton, CO"Muslingestolen", aka "the clam chair" lounge chair designed in 1944 by Danish architect Philip Arctander. The chair was first produced in Denmark by Nordisk Staal & Mobel Centra...Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Oak
$12,000 Sale Price25% Off - "Delphinium" by Eyvind Earle Serigraph on Paper, Signed and Numbered, FramedBy Eyvind Earle 2Located in Littleton, CO"Delphinium" by Eyvind Earle. Limited edition serigraph on paper, 1975. Signed and numbered (61/250). Single estate, purchased from Circle Gallery, Ltd., Chicago. Brushed and polish...Category
Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Prints
MaterialsChrome
- Peter & Molgaard Hvidt Rosewood SecretaryBy Soborg Mobler, Peter HvidtLocated in Brooklyn, NYHandsome, masculine 6-drawer dresser with recessed pulls, topped with drop-front desk fitted with drawer and storage cubicles. On enameled metal legs with rosewood block feet. Retain...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsSteel
- Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Secretary Desk in Solid TeakBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in San Diego, CAPeter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen drop front solid teak desk opens to drawers with beautiful dovetail joinery. The piece has three small drawers below and two larger drawers. Per...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Teak Secretary Cabinet by Hvidt and Mølgaard-NielsenBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Stockholm, SEDanish Modern teak secretary cabinet by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Manufactured by Søborg Møbelfabrik in Denmark, circa 1950s. Made from solid teak with drop-down surfa...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
$4,540 Sale Price30% Off - Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Solid Teak CabinetBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in San Diego, CAPeter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen solid teak cabinet. This two door cabinet opens to three sliding shelves, single lower shelf. Made of solid teak with dovetail joints on all sid...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Teak CabinetsBy Hvidt & Mølgaard, Soborg MoblerLocated in San Francisco, CAPeter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen design cabinets for Soborg Mobler, Denmark. Rare pair of solid teak cabinets with adjustable interior shelves and attractive sliding doors. Origin...Category
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
$12,000 / set - Danish Bookcase by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-NielsenBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Oklahoma City, OKThe two-piece stacking teak bookcase by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart Inc. epitomizes a harmonious blend of form and functionality. Meticulously crafted from ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak