Peter Hvidt Coffee Table for France & Son, Denmark 1960
View Similar Items
Peter Hvidt Coffee Table for France & Son, Denmark 1960
About the Item
- Creator:France & Søn (Manufacturer),Peter Hvidt (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.38 in (100 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)Depth: 39.38 in (100 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: m274161stDibs: LU1039837279572
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.
- “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
- “T118” Coffee Table by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen, Denmark, 1960By Niels Eilersen, Illum WikkelsøLocated in Amsterdam, NLA 1960s Coffee table, model “T118,” designed by Illum Wikkelso and manufactured by Niels Eilersen in Denmark. This stunning coffee table showcases the impeccable craftsmanship and...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Finn Juhl Ottoman for France & Son, Denmark 1950By France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in Amsterdam, NLA fantastic ottoman by iconic designer Finn Juhl and manufactured by France & Son in Denmark in the 1950s. This elegant stool is made of high quality teak wood in a warm brown color...Category
Vintage 1950s European Stools
MaterialsLeather, Wood
$3,326 / item - Knut Hesterberg Coffee Table for Ronald Schmitt, Germany 1960By Knut HesterbergLocated in Amsterdam, NLA beautiful coffee table, designed by Knut Hesterberg and manufactured by Ronald Schimdt in Germany around 1960. This eye-catching table has an aluminium base, in elegant shape with...Category
Vintage 1960s German Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Brass Coffee Table by Michel Mangematin & Roger Bruny, France 1960By Michel MangematinLocated in Amsterdam, NLAn exceptional and very rare coffee table designed by Michel Mangematin & Roger Bruny and made in France around 1960. Crafted with precision and artistry, the table has an elegant o...Category
Vintage 1960s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Percival Lafer Pair of Coffee Tables, circa 1960By Percival LaferLocated in Amsterdam, NLPair of coffee tables designed by Pecival Lafer, circa 1960. Manufactured in Brazil. Jacaranda slat wood. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and us...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood, Glass
$3,472 / set
- Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Teak Coffee Table for France & Son, Denmark, 1960sBy Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Hellouw, NLNice Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard teak coffee table for France & Son from Denmark the 1960s. This table has a minimalistic design, however is elegant due to the usage of the round e...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt Solid Teak Coffee or Cocktail Table for France & SonsBy France & Søn, Peter HvidtLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRPeter Hvidt solid teak coffee or cocktail table for France & Sons.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Peter Hvidt, Orla Molgaard Minerva Coffee Table, France & Son, 1960sBy Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Hvidt & MølgaardLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century Peter Hvidt, Orla Molgaard Minerva Coffee Table, France & Son, 1960s Danish modern Minerva coffee table model 515 by Peter Hvidt & Orl...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Teak & Cane Coffee Table for France & SønBy Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Los Angeles, CA________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn Coffee Table in TeakBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt, France & SønLocated in Waalwijk, NLPeter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn, coffee table, model 'FD 515' teak, brass, Denmark, 1950s An impeccably crafted coffee table, designed by the renowned design du...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- 60s 70s Teak Coffee Table Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & SønBy Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Neuenkirchen, NI60s 70s teak coffee table Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn Object: coffee table Manufacturer: France & Son Condition: good - vintage Age: around 1960-...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak