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.
Rare Model 42 Arm Chair by Erik Kirkegaard for Høng Stolefabrik, Denmark, 1950's
By Høng Stolefabrik, Erik Kirkegaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing an exceptional early Model 42 armchair by acclaimed Danish designer Erik Kirkegaard, produced by Høng Stolefabrik. Recently refinished and newly clad in thick, full-grain...
Leather, Teak
Danish Mid-Century Modern Chair by Hvidt & Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1960s
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
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
1950s Hans Wegner CH23 chair for Carl Hansen & Søn, Denmark.
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The CH23 was one of the first chairs Hans J. Wegner designed exclusively for Carl Hansen & Søn back in 1950. At first glance it’s simple and understated, but the chair is full of tho...
Beech, Oak, Teak
1950 Borge Mogensen Hunting Chair for Frederica, Denmark
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous 1950 Hunting Chair designed by Børge Mogensen and prouduced by Frederica, Denmark. Designed for the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild exhibition themed "A Hunting Lodge," it...
Oak, Leather
Børge Mogensen Spanish Chair, Leather & Oak, Mid-Century, 1958
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 1950 Børge Mogensen Spanish Chair by Fredericia, Denmark. Børge Mogensen designed the Spanish Chair in 1958 for Fredericia Furniture, and it has since become a definitive...
Brass
1959 Sergio Rodrigues High-Backed Cantu chair by Oca, Brazil.
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Sergio Rodrigues High-Backed Cantu chair manufactured by Oca Brazil, 1959. The Cantu chair is a celebrated piece of Brazilian mid century modernist d...
Leather
Nørrevold Armchair by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, 1940s
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Oslo, 03
A Nørrevold Model 5999 armchair designed by Kaare Klint in 1939 and executed by cabinetmakers Rud. Rasmussen A/S in Copenhagen during the 1940s. Model 5999 is the largest chair in th...
Sheepskin, Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Ole Wanscher Rungstedlund Armchair by Poul Jeppesen, Danish Design 1950s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Armchair from the Rungstedlund series designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by Poul Jeppesen Møbelfabrik in Denmark during the 1950s. The chair is characterized by balanced proportio...
Fabric
Armchair by Sigvard Bernadotte for France & Søn, Denmark, 1960s
By Sigvard Bernadotte, France & Søn
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Elegant Scandinavian armchair designed by Sigvard Bernadotte and produced by France & Søn in the 1960s. The frame is made of polished chromed steel, the armrests are in solid te...
Metal
Armchair by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Classic armchair designed by Arne Vodder and produced by Sibast Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. Showcasing Vodder’s signature organic lines and refined Danish craftsmanship, this piece is ...
Rosewood
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
Model 2280 Armchair by Magnus Læssøe Stephensen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s Model 2
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
This Model 2280 armchair was designed by Danish architect Magnus Læssøe Stephensen for Fritz Hansen in the 1950s. A true classic of mid-century Danish design, the chair features a be...
Beech, Teak
