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.
Borge Mogensen Spanish Armchair 1950's
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The Model 3238 armchair is derived from the 'Spanish Chair', one of the masterpieces designed for Danish master Borge Mogensen. It is one of the famous masterpieces he manufactured a...
Leather, Oak
Erik Kirkegaard Armchair Model.48 1960's
By Erik Kirkegaard
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This is an armchair believed to date from the 1960s, designed by the renowned Danish designer Erik Kirkegaard. During the golden age of Danish design, Kirkegaard was celebrated for h...
Fabric, Teak
Borge Mogensen Spanish Chair 1960's
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
One of the masterpieces designed by Danish master Børge Mogensen. This is a vintage Spanish Chair Model 2226, manufactured by the existing Fredericia company. It is a globally acclai...
Leather, Oak
Borge Mogensen Easy Chair & Ottoman 1970's
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This is a set comprising an oak armchair and stool designed by Børge Mogensen and manufactured by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark. The frame is crafted from oak, a rare and prized ...
Fabric, Oak
Arne Norell Sirocco Easy Chair 1960's
By Arne Norell
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Scirocco lounge chair, designed by Arne Norell (estimated 1960s). Known affectionately as the 'Safari Chair', it is globally acclaimed as one of the masterpieces representing Scandin...
Leather, Ash
Borge Mogensen Spanish Dining Chair 1960's
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This is a vintage dining chair, Model 3237, derived from the iconic Spanish Chair—one of the masterworks designed by Danish design legend Børge Mogensen. Inspired by his travels in S...
Leather, Oak
C. 1958 Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for Soborg Dining Arm Chair
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Dining Arm Chair that was designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for Soborg. This particular examples dates to 1958. The chair features a solid teak frame with g...
Teak, Cane
Armchair GS 700 by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Glyngøre Stolefabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic armchair, GS 700, by Arne Wahl Iversen for Glyngøre Stolefabrik. High quality teak frame with the original cord cover. Quality Features: accomplished design: perfect propor...
Papercord, Teak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen "FD144" Easy Chair, Denmark, 1953
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Utrecht, NL
This is a beautiful Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen designed model “FD 144” easy chair, made in Denmark in 1953. It was produced by France & Daverkosen Denmark. This solid oak FD-144 Easy Chair by the designer duo, has distinctive, wide and imposing bent armrests. The darker teak wood on the armrests and legs emphasises the elegant lines of this chair. The back is supported with a series of slender spindles that stand out as the main design element of this model. The chair comes with two loose cushions that have been recently reupholstered in a premium bouclé fabric. Both cushions feature button tufting, giving a classic look. This chair is a Danish mid-century piece to its core, uniting functionality with and understated, yet interesting and elegant design. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Re-upholstered in premium bouclé fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information. Dimensions: 25.4 in W x 28.55 in D x 33.08 in H; seat height 16.93 in 64.5 cm W x 72.5 cm D x 84 cm H; seat height 43 cm About the designer: Hvidt & Mølgaard were the founders of the Copenhagen-based, Danish design and architectural firm which existed from 1944 until 2009. Founded by Peter Hvidt (1916-1986) and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (1907-1993), the company was a pioneering force in Danish furniture design and industrialized production in the 1950s, creating furniture that was easy to mass-produce and economic to transport. Danish architect-designer Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen was born in 1907. His formative years were spent in Copenhagen, studying at the Aalborg Technical School and at the Art and Crafts School of the Design Museum. From 1931 until 1934, he continued his studies in furniture design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under the instruction of Kaare Klint. Peter Hvidt was born in Copenhagen in 1916. He studied architecture and cabinetry at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. Subsequently, he worked at various design firms before establishing his own studio in 1942. In 1944, Hvidt designed the Portex Chair...
Fabric, Wood
Arm Chair by Enjar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen, Willy Beck, Denmark, c. 1950's
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and limited early Danish Modern armchair by Enjar Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck, crafted in the 1950s in Denmark. This stunning armchair is construct...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Modern Chair by Hvidt & Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1960s
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Peter Hvidt & Orla Nielsen Molgaard 317 Chair Manufactured by Søborg Møbelfabrik. Chair is in good vintage condition with a beautiful patina throughout. Papercord seat is...
Teak, Paper
Mid-Century Modern Danish Armchair Model 62 by Niels O. Møller, New Production
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Danish armchair model 62 by Niels O. Møller. New production, still handmade in the historical Møllers workshop in Denmark. ...
Leather
