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 Modern Teak Desk Model #64 by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A beautifully designed mid-century modern teak desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, Denmark, known as Model #64. Compact yet highly functional, this two-tiered design off...
Teak
$3,000
H 28.75 in W 56.75 in D 28.75 in
Danish Teak Executive Desk No.80 Iversen Kjersgaard Vintage Mid-Century, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Beautiful desk with working lock and key, center drawer.
Teak
$4,614
H 32.88 in W 37.41 in D 16.93 in
Arne Wahl Iversen Bureau Desk Danish Mid Century Teak 1960s MCM Scandinavian
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous, rare and super-stylish Mid Century bureau secretaire desk by a top Danish designer in lovely vintage condition. Designed by the much-heralded Arne Wahl Iversen and made in 1960s Denmark by high-end firm Vinde Møbelfabrik, this stunning, versatile and achingly cool Model 70 desk will add quintessential Scandinavian style to any interior. Beautifully crafted from richly toned and exceptionally grained teak wood, this is an exemplary example of Scandinavian design – it marries elegant minimalism with super practicality, all expertly crafted from gorgeous natural materials into a superb space-saving desk...
Teak
Danish Modern Adjustable Teak Desk by Arne Vodder for Sibast
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Danish writing desk by Arne Vodder for Sibast features an adjustable floating drawer cabinet, allowing the user to position it on the right or left side of the table...
Brass
Danish architects desk by Svend Åge Madsen Teak Mid-Century
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Danish architectural firm by Svend & Madsen from the 1960s Discover the elegance and functionality of the Vintage Danish Architectural Office, designed by Svend Aage Madsen ...
Teak
Beautiful Mid-Century Teak Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your workspace with this stunning mid-century teak desk designed by Arne Wahl Iversen, a masterful example of Danish modernism. Known for his clean lines, thoughtful proporti...
Teak
Sven Langkilde 1960s Danish Mahogany Desk
By Langkilde Møbler, Svend Langkilde
Located in London, England
Sven Langkilde - Rare Mahogany Desk This delightful and sophisticated desk was made in highly limited quantities by Danish designer Sven Langkilde and produced by his own company La...
Mahogany
Danish Modern Teak Desk by Gunnar Tibergaard Nielsen
By Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Danish Modern Teak Desk, designed by Gunnar Tibergaard Nielsen, Denmark, circa 1960s. It packs a lot of storage space in a small ...
Wood, Teak
$7,500
H 28.75 in W 54.25 in D 30 in
Hans Wegner Model 305 Writing Desk, Teak & Oak, Scandinavian Modern
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hans Wegner Model 305 Teak 3 drawer desk. Effortlessly graceful in its simplicity and function. Has had the top refinished and everything else cleaned and oiled. Teak with oak con...
Teak
Danish Modern Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top Teak Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Esperance, NY
Available for purchase is a vintage Danish Modern Flip-Top Teak Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen, in all-original condition. This exceptional piece includes its original keys and has been...
Teak
Hans Wegner Danish Modern Teak & Oak Drop Leaf End Table for Andreas Tuck
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautifully crafted early example end or side table designed by Hans Wegner and manufactured in Denmark by cabinet maker, Andreas Tuck. This teak and oak table has two extendable sid...
Oak, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Sideboard Table for Askel Kjersgaard #393
By Illums Bolighus, Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Handsome rosewood sideboard or table, model #393, designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured in Denmark by high-quality furniture maker, Askel Kjersgaard...
Rosewood
Hans Wegner Teak President Tambour Door Credenza Sideboard
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Elegant President credenza in teak designed by Hans Wegner and manufactured in Denmark by Ry Mobler. This handsome credenza has smooth sliding tambour doors with chrome and teak pull...
Teak
Ladislav Rado Rare Architectural Knoll and Drake X Base Coffee Table
By Knoll & Drake, Ladislav Rado
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Clean and crisp architectural style coffee table designed by renowned architect, Radislav Rado and manufactured by Knoll and Drake. This rare minimalist table has a white laminate to...
Steel
McCobb Nelson Style Lane Jewelry Chest Cabinet Box Mid Century Modern
By Paul McCobb, George Nelson, Lane Furniture
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful small Mid Century modern jewelry cabinet or box made by high quality furniture maker, Lane. This walnut cabinet has six drawers wi...
Chrome
Saarinen for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Oak Tulip Pedestal Side Table
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Classic tulip side table designed by Eero Saarinen and manufactured by Knoll. This table has a 20 inch diameter oak top, a white pedestal base, and was made in 1978. Knoll label unde...
Aluminum
