Danish furniture designer Arne Wahl Iversen created a range of sculptural storage cabinets, secretary desks, armchairs and dressers in teak, rosewood and other durable woods that reflect the pared-back elegance and prioritization of function that are so often attributes of the finest examples of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture.
Born in Nyborg, Iversen learned the craft of furniture making from his father, who operated a modest furniture business near the family home. Iversen apprenticed as a cabinetmaker and later enrolled in the Odense Technical School to study furniture design. In 1949, Iversen attend the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, in Copenhagen. It was there he studied under legendary furniture designer Kaare Klint. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the academy and mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher. Iversen was in good hands.
Upon finishing school, Iversen opened his own furniture shop in Nyborg. Soon after, his work immediately impressed Swedish furniture maker and IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad.
At the time, the popularity of modern Danish furniture was gaining steam around the world — it was in the postwar era that American tastemakers sold the citizenry on the appeal of Scandinavian design and its emphasis on the principles of traditional craftsmanship. Copenhagen native Finn Juhl had shown his work in the United States in 1950 and created a Danish modern line for Michigan’s Baker Furniture in 1951 (the company produced his award-winning Chieftain chair for a short time). Kamprad was eager for Iversen to create modern Danish furniture for IKEA, but their collaboration didn't last very long. Iversen decided to work independently on his own designs.
Initially, Iversen's furniture was mainly sold in Denmark, but by the end of the 1960s, he had expanded his sales to the rest of Europe and in America. Though he designed for many manufacturers, he created his most popular works for Komfort and Vinde Møbelfabrik. Iversen continued to design furniture until he retired in the mid-1980s.
Find vintage Arne Wahl Iversen chairs, cabinets, console tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Danish rosewood secretary desk, Model 37, Arne Wahl Iversen/Vinde Møbelfabrik.
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
A very lovely Scandinavian secretary desk. It features three large drawers in the lower section (the top drawer is lockable) and a lockable drop-down door that serves as a writing su...
Santos Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian secretary in rosewood by Arne Wahl Iversen.
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian secretary in rosewood by Arne Wahl Iversen. Small lamp in central part.
Rosewood
Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s Usable as: desk / office / secretary / closet / dresser / Make up Table Dimensions: 45 ...
Teak
Secretaire in Palisander Wood by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Milano, MI
This secretaire in palisander wood by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik is a great piece to be placed in a chic and refin...
Palisander
Midcentury Danish teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s Usable as: desk / office / secretary / closet / dresser / Make up Table Dimensions: 45 ...
Teak
$1,400
H 29.25 in W 36.13 in D 18 in
Danish Teak Dresser Chest of Drawers by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern dresser chest in teak designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik, circa 1960's. This unique low profile chest of drawers is perfect to use as an entryway ...
Teak
Arne Wahl Iversen Planter, Scandinavian Design, 1960s
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Planter made of teak by Arne Wahl Iversen Minor damage on the top (see photos).
Teak
Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...
Glass, Teak
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 72 in W 30 in D 18 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 8 drawer dresser by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 8 drawer dresser by Arne Wahl Iversen A beautiful example of Danish design in simplicity and quality. The rosewood grain is absolutely striking an...
Wood, Rosewood
$1,052
H 39.77 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Wood Secretary Desk, Chest of Drawers, 1960s
Located in The Hague, NL
This midcentury Danish modern teak secretary desk was made in Denmark, circa 1960. The Classic Scandinavian Modern design has clean Minimalist lines and elegant curves. The upper cab...
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet 1960s
By H.P. Hansen
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Danish modern teak secretary desk attributed to H.P. Hansen was made in Denmark in the 1960s. It exemplifies classic Scandinavian modern styling with clean g...
Brass
Cees Braakman for Pastoe "P5" Jacaranda Wood Secretaire
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Jacaranda wood secretaire with drop down desk or dry bar and light with original wiring. Lightly refinished exterior ...
Metal
Danish Modern Teak Bar Cabinet by Arne Wahl-Iversen for IKEA
By IKEA, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Teak bar designed by Arne Wahl-Iversen for Ikea in the 1960s. 39.5w 18d 44.5h
Mirror, Wood
$4,000
H 90 in W 30 in D 18 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 14 drawer dresser Credenza Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 14 drawer dresser or Credenza by Arne Wahl Iversen A beautiful example of Danish design in simplicity and quality...
Wood, Rosewood
Mid-century Torbjorn Afdal Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk
By Torbjørn Afdal, Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Norway, 1965. Crafted from Brazilian rosewood, the secretary desk ...
Rosewood
$1,380
H 29.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern Dresser By Arne Wahl Iverson For Vinde Mobilfabrik, Denmark.
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Teak Dresser By Arne Wahl Iverson For Vinde Mobilfabrik, Denmark. Features a quintessential Mid Century Modern Scandinavian design with clean lines, gorgeo...
Teak
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
H 38 in W 35.5 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Teak Secretary Desk
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage secretary desk in teak circa 1970's, made in Sweden. This piece is equipped with three deep storage drawers accessorized with sculpted wood handles. Features a roll top door ...
Birch, Teak
Sold
H 43.31 in W 50.4 in D 16.54 in
Secrétaire with Drawers - Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik (1960s)
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Torino, IT
Secrétaire with Drawers - Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik (1960s) This fine secrétaire is an authentic collector's piece of Danish Mid-Century Design, designed by master Arne...
Kingwood
Sold
H 32.68 in W 39.38 in D 27.56 in
Danish rosewood desk, model 56 by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik 1960.
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Stunning Scandinavian desk with a clean, elegant design. It features two large and two small drawers on the front, with a niche between the two smaller drawers. The particularly grac...
Rosewood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
Secretary, Danish Teak desk model 37 by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Very pretty secretary, scriban, Scandinavian. 3 large drawers on the lower part (the top drawer locks with keys) a folding door which serves as a desk and locks with a key, it opens...
Brass
Sold
H 42.52 in W 35.44 in D 18.12 in
Danish Secretary in Rosewood, Arne Wahl Iversen for Branderup Mobelfabrik 196O.
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian secretary. 3 large drawers on the lower part, a hinged door, which locks with a key, offers, when opened, a large work space. Inside 2 drawers and 3 small storage...
Rosewood
Secretaire by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, 1960s
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century palisander secretaire designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik. It consists of a fold down door and two drawers. Gorgeous cabinet with eye for details and qu...
Wood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 37.41 in D 16.54 in
Model 68 drop front Secretary by Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s Danish Rosewood
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Model 68 drop front secretary desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, 1960s. This stunning piece features two spacious lower drawers and unique wooden spurs in the upper sec...
Wood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 33.27 in D 17.33 in
Danish Secretary by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik. 1960's Denmark.
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District
A stunning mcm rosewood Danish Secretary designed by Arne Wahl Iversen, Model 37 for Vinde Mobelfabrik and dating from the 1960s. The rosewood grain patterns are stunning on every s...
Rosewood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian secretary in rosewood by Arne Wahl Iversen.
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian secretary in rosewood by Arne Wahl Iversen. Small lamp in central part.
Rosewood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 17.33 in D 33.47 in
Danish Rosewood Secretaire Model 37 by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Very nice secretary, scriban, Scandinavian with 3 large drawers on the lower part a folding door which serves as a desk and locks with key it gives inside on 2 small drawers, a box and a document...
Brass
Sold
H 42.52 in W 37.41 in D 16.93 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish modern rosewood secretary desk by Arne Wahl Iversen 1960s Beautiful rosewood secretaire model No. 68 designed by Danish architect Arne Wahl Iversen and manufactured by Vind...
Rosewood
Sold
H 44.49 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
1950's Swedish Desk / Secretaire / Vanity in Teak and Oak by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful secretaire, also perfectly used as a vanity or desk in teak designed by Arne Wahl Iversen from Sweden. Consisting three drawers at the front and a folding writing desk...
Beech, Oak, Teak
Sold
H 33.5 in W 37.5 in
Arne Wahl Iversen Model 68 Mid Century Danish Teak Drop Front Secretary Bar Desk
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arne Wahl Iversen Model 68 mid century Danish teak drop front secretary bar desk Desk measures: 37.5 wide x 17.5 deep x 33.5 inches high All pieces o...
Brass