1950s Danish 3-Seater Minerva Sofa in Teal by Peter Hvidt & Orla Nielsen
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:Minerva 417 ABCCMinerva Series
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 74.81 in (190 cm)Depth: 29.93 in (76 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Shepperton, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4497235763682
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.
France & Daverkosen
The giant of mid-century furniture design France & Søn began its remarkable journey as a Danish firm specializing in the production and exporting of Scandinavian design called France & Daverkosen.
British businessman Charles William Fearnley France and Danish cabinetmaker Eric Daverkosen entered into a joint venture in 1936 — France being the investor and Daverkosen the head designer for their small mattress factory. Soon after production started at the France & Daverkosen company, Daverkosen became quite ill.
Concerned for his friend and their fledgling business, France traveled to Denmark, and Daverkosen died soon after his partner arrived. While France was attempting to make arrangements to transfer the company into his hands, World War II erupted, and Germany invaded Denmark. As a British citizen, France was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany.
While in captivity, France developed several manufacturing ideas to pass the time and to keep his mind focused. He imagined a way to create lightweight wooden chairs that could be manufactured on an industrial scale and transported using an economic flat-pack format. He also thought of a way to retool his mattress factory to create chair backs, seats and sofa cushions.
Once freed, France returned to his business in Denmark and began to manufacture beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. He began to surround himself with some of the best Scandinavian designers of the time: Finn Juhl, Grete Jalk and Ole Wanscher, to name a few.
By 1954, France & Daverkosen accounted for 60 percent of all Danish furniture exports and their factory employed 350 people. Charles’s son James joined the company in 1957, which resulted in the name change to France & Søn.
Later, France & Søn was acquired by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s.
On 1stDibs, find France & Daverkosen seating, tables and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Danish 1950s Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Boomerang Chair, France & SonBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated 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
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Boomerang Chair For France & DaverkosenBy 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
- 1940s Danish Birds of Paradise Chair by Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for Fritz HansenBy Fritz Hansen, Josef Frank, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Shepperton, SurreyA 1940s Danish lounge chair by Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen. This elegant vintage lounge chair has been newly reupholstered in stunning Arbre Chinois fabric by Schumacher....Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Fabric
- 1950s Italian "Mitzi" Two Seater Loveseat Sofa By Ezio LonghiBy Ezio LonghiLocated in Shepperton, SurreyAn original 1950s "Mitzi" loveseat sofa by Italian designer Ezio Longhi for Elam. It features elegantly contoured arms and high, scrolling back. It has been newly upholstered in bea...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBeech
- 1930s Danish Art Deco 3-Seater Sofa In Cuban Mahogany By Frits HenningsenBy Frits HenningsenLocated in Shepperton, SurreyA striking 3-seater sofa in Cuban mahogany and green velvet fabric by Frits Henningsen. In competition with his teacher Kaare Klint, Henningsen was one of the outstanding Danish des...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsHardwood
- Two 1950s Danish "118" Lounge Chairs in Teak by Grete JalkBy Grete Jalk, France & DaverkosenLocated in Shepperton, SurreyA pair of "model 118" lounge chairs in teak by Danish designer Grete Jalk for France and Daverkosen. These early 1950s chairs have a beautiful streamlined design, with sculpted a...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Teak "Minerva" Sectional Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-NielsenBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & DaverkosenLocated in North Hollywood, CAFabulous Danish teak “Minerva” sectional sofa / daybed designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen in Denmark, circa 1950s. This set has an avant-garde de...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Danish Design Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Teak, 1950By France & Daverkosen, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Ijzendijke, NLExtremely rare & stunning! This fully original ''Minerva seating group'' by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen 1950. The design & luxurious feeling of this set are just superb. The combination of teak, rattan, wool & chrome are breathtaking. It looks stunning from any angle with the minimalist teak & chrome backrests so you can place it in the center of your room. The set has its original finish & original padded wool upholstery in grey/green. which remains in amazing condition! The FD516 coffee table...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
- Minerva Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn, Denmark 19By France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Hellouw, NLStunning ‘minerva’ sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn from the 1960s. Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen have played a significant role in the internatio...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Sofa Model Minerva by France & DaverkosenBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länSofa model Minerva designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark. Seating group with 3 seater, 2 seater and side table...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Teak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Sofa Model Minerva by France & DaverkosenBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länSofa model Minerva designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Peter Hvidt, Orla Molgaard Nielsen "3 seater sofa" Soborg MoblerBy Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Soborg MoblerLocated in Shibuya City, JPThis is a 3-seater sofa designed by Danish designers Peter Hvidtand Orla Molgaard Nielsen, featuring a beautiful curved armrest. The overall design is clean and the seat is spacious ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood, Fabric