Pair of Peter Hvidt "Ax" Lounge Chairs, Denmark, Ca. 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (Designer),Peter Hvidt (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 24.25 in (61.6 cm)Depth: 27.75 in (70.49 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Both chairs in very good vintage condition with typical minor signs of age appropriate wear to the frames. The upholstery is vintage, but likely not original. Appears to be Knoll fabric, and is in fine condition, perfectly serviceable.
- Seller Location:Peabody, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU888037412662
Peter Hvidt
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Peabody, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Jens Risom C-220 Lounge Chairs Circa 1950sBy Jens RisomLocated in Peabody, MAPair of model C-220 slipper lounge chairs by Jens Risom, Circa 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Danish Leather Lounge Chairs by Svend Skipper, Circa 1960sBy Svend SkipperLocated in Peabody, MAA pair of 1960s lounge chairs in original cognac leather by Svend Skipper Mobelfabrik, Denmark.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of Bespoke Charlotte Horstmann Rosewood and Brass Campaign Chairs, C. 1950sBy Charlotte HorstmannLocated in Peabody, MAA bespoke pair of campaign chairs in rosewood and brass by the renowned Hong Kong antiques dealer Charlotte Horstmann, circa 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Hong Kong Campaign Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Peter Hvidt Danish Teak Tambour Door Credenza for Soborg, Circa 1960sBy Peter Hvidt, Soborg MoblerLocated in Peabody, MADanish solid teak tambour door credenza by Peter Hvidt for Soborg Mobler. This example features a matching tamboured top cabinet, with both pieces displaying the designer’s signature...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
MaterialsTeak
- Pair of Roberto Mango Wicker "Sunflower" Garden Chairs for Tecno, circa 1950sBy Tecno, Roberto MangoLocated in Peabody, MAA pair of conical wicker “Sunflower” chairs by architect Roberto Mango for Tecno and imported to the US by Allan Gould Designs. Founded in 1953, Tecno ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Pair of Anglo Indian Style Slipper Lounge ChairsLocated in Peabody, MAAn unusual pair of Anglo-Indian style lounge chairs with gracefully canted backrests and front reeded Klismos legs, with elegant Klismos legs at the rear. We’re partial to an airier ...Category
20th Century Unknown Anglo-Indian Slipper Chairs
MaterialsCane, Wood, Upholstery
- Pair of "Ax-chair" by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, Denmark, 1950sBy Peter Hvidt, Fritz Hansen, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Stockholm, SEVery good condition. Produced by Fritz Hansen, 1950s. An example of this chair can be found at the Museum of Design in Copenhagen, Denmark.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany, Teak
- Peter Hvidt Orla Molgaard Classic Danish 1950s Lounge ChairBy Peter Hvidt, Fritz HansenLocated in Bridgeport, CTCharming and very elegant Classic Danish lounge chair. The chair is signature stylestyle of Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard for Fritz Hansen. Simple yet very refined design lines and ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMohair, Beech
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen "Ax" Lounge Chair for Fritz HansenBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Los Angeles, CAA striking chair designed by architects Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen in collaboration with the famous artisan company Fritz Hansen in Denmark circa 1960s. Our chair uses quali...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Laminate, Wood
- Danish 1950s Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Boomerang Chair, France & SonBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Shepperton, SurreyDesigned by Architects Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen in 1954 the Boomerang chair is one of the most elegant chair designs of the Mid Century period. Often looking more Italian...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- "AX" Lounge chair by Danish designers Peter Hvidt & Orla MølgaardBy Peter HvidtLocated in Copenhagen, DKVintage. Rare and classic "AX" lounge chair by Danish designers Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen from 1947. Solid bended beech wood. Reupholstered in Cardinal Red. Produced by...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Teak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for Fritz Hansen "Ax" Cowhide Lounge ChairBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned by two of the most iconic and critically acclaimed Danish designers, the Ax chair was brought to life by Peter Hvidt in partnership with Orla Molgaard Nielsen for production...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCowhide, Beech, Teak