Danish cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen never compromised on quality. His furniture is known for its impeccable craftsmanship, and unlike many designers of his day, Henningsen — a dogged perfectionist — rarely permitted any of his pieces to be built outside of his own workshop. Each of his elegant low-profile tables, chairs and sofas feature the clean lines and graceful curves typically associated with vintage mid-century modern and Scandinavian modern furniture.
Henningsen was born in 1889 and apprenticed as a cabinetmaker in the early 1900s. He was mentored by the well-known and respected cabinetmaker I.P. Mørck and completed his apprenticeship at the age of 22.
Henningsen also studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where one of his teachers was legendary furniture designer Kaare Klint, who is frequently called the father of Danish modernism. Henningsen saw Klint as a friendly rival, which motivated him to refine his craftsmanship and technique.
Henningsen traveled throughout Germany, France, and Great Britain to gather knowledge, experience and inspiration. He returned to Copenhagen in 1915 and set up a furniture store and workshop to create and sell his own designs. He also developed relationships with Rud Rasmussen and Carl Hansen & Søn, the only furniture manufacturers he trusted to produce his designs.
Bucking the angular and geometric furniture trends of the time, Henningsen embraced fluid and organic forms. Much of his inspiration came from the Rococo, French Empire and British 17th-century styles he encountered on his travels. The 1930 Heritage chair is a prime example of these influences. It features soft, curving lines and has a sophisticated appeal.
Another piece that showcases Henningsen’s style and craftsmanship is the 1952 Signature chair. A striking work that features an inviting curved seat atop sinuous carved wood legs, the Signature chair was his last design.
The straightforward and timeless style of Henningsen furniture continues to enjoy popularity today. In fact, in 2015, Carl Hansen & Son reissued the iconic Signature chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Frits Henningsen seating, side tables and cabinets on 1stDibs.
Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant Danish settee or loveseat from circa 1950s by Master Furniture Maker, Frits Henningsen Solid and sturdy small piece with a strong presence and charming demeanor. Coil springs...
Wool, Beech
$5,427Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Danish 2-Seater Sofa by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Praha, CZ
Refined 2-seater Danish sofa designed by Frits Henningsen in the 1950s, featuring a sturdy wooden base and frame with period fabric upholstery. This classic piece exudes mid-century ...
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
Frits Henningsen: 1930s 3-seat sofa upholstered with red velour
By Frits Henningsen
Located in London, GB
Does not require reupholstery. The velvet is in good condition without stains. The sprung base is supple and supportive. There is some wear to the edge braid on the left side but thi...
Velvet
Price Upon Request
Frits Henningsen Settee, Oak Frame, Ivory Leather, Denmark, 1940
By Frits Henningsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Frits Henningsen settee of oak and its original ivory leather upholstery with nailhead trim. Features a high wingback and half moon armrests. Designed in Denmark, circa 1940.
Leather, Oak
Danish 1940's Loveseat with Open Wooden Armrest and Green Striped Wool
By Alfred Christensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very charming loveseat from the 1940's in the style of Alfred Christensen. Maker and Designer is unknown but the style is very similar to designs by Fritz Hansen and Alfred Christens...
Wool, Beech
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
Midcentury Settee, possibly Finn Juhl /Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl
Located in Richmond, VA
Great, sleek midcentury settee recently upholstered. No markings but very similar to Niels Vodder's model NV53.
Upholstery, Wood
Danish Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat Early 1950s
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa from the 1940s. Often called banana sofas by the Danes due to the curved shape. This sofa has slightly more straight backrest an...
Brass
Danish 1950s Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1950s curved two-seat sofa raised on a beech frame and legs. These type of sofas was manufactured from the 30's and up through the early 50's. The 5...
Wool, Beech
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
Danish 1950's 3-seat sofa by To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super elegant sofa by Ole Wanscher for Cabinet maker A.J. Iversen ca. mid 1950's. Very elegant design raised on teak legs with stretchers (usually seen in Kaare Klint's fam...
Wool, Teak
Edward Wormley Pair of Sofas / Settees
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Highland, IN
These lovely, lightly scaled sofas or loveseats designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, are not only an uncommon form, having a matched pair available is also very rare. They are stru...
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden...
Wool, Cotton, Beech
Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful two-seat curved sofa manufactured in the 1950s. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat with two feather cushions covered of blue Kvadrat velvet. Perfect condition,...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
$5,800 / set
H 37.8 in W 25.6 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Midcentury Lounge Chairs by Frits Henningsen, 1950s
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of Classic midcentury lounge chairs upholstered in fabric and standing on solid mahogany legs. Designed by Danish architect Frits Henningsen, circa 1940. Made in Denmark. Great ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 32.5 in W 54 in D 27.5 in
Classic Frits Henningsen Settee or Loveseat Danish, Midcentury ca. 1950
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines by one of the early Danish iconic designers made around late 1940's to around 1950. Backrest and seat nice and firm and frame raised on Cuban mahogany ...
Wool, Mahogany
Sold
H 35.44 in W 58.67 in D 27.56 in
Sofa in Patinated Leather by Cabinetmaker Frits Hennigsen Made in Denmark, 1940
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Sofa in mahogany finished beech and patinated natural leather by Frits Henningsen cabinetmakers Copenhagen. Designed in the 1940s. Great condition.
Leather, Mahogany
Classic Frits Henningsen Settee or Loveseat Danish, Midcentury
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines by one of the early Danish iconic designers made around late 1940's to around 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs remain...
Wool, Mahogany
Frits Henningsen Mahogany Sofa
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Houston, TX
Reupholstery is recommended. French polished mahogany is in nice vintage condition. Circa 1940s.
Wood