Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Teak & Cane Coffee Table for France & Søn
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Width: 59.5 in (151.13 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Refinished. Newly Refinished, Original Cane is in Perfect Condition. by Danish Modern LA´s Restoration Studio.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU971137805332
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 & Søn
Danish manufacturer France & Søn is best known for its prolific output of elegant mid-century modern furnishings in teak and leather, yet its multinational beginnings took shape during the 1930s.
After businessman Charles William Fearnley France (1897–1972) moved from his native England to Denmark in 1936, he began to operate a small mattress factory alongside his friend Eric Daverkosen, a Danish cabinetmaker, under the name France & Daverkosen. Shortly afterward, Daverkosen passed away, and when Denmark was invaded during the Second World War, Charles was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany. When he was released, the British entrepreneur set out to produce furniture in the early 1950s, setting up a shop in Hillerød to manufacture the kind of sleek beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. In 1957, France’s son James joined the business, and the company changed its name to reflect the addition.
Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, France & Søn produced a stunning array — and staggering quantity — of designs, with elegant modernist lounge chairs and armchairs, teak and rosewood dining tables and other furnishings by the likes of Finn Juhl, Grete Valk, Ole Wanscher, Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen all gracing its catalogues.
Even as there was a focus on mass production at France & Søn — and the brand doesn’t quite enjoy the same renown as fellow mid-century Danish furniture makers such as Carl Hansen & Søn — Charles France believed in making quality furniture, and the company’s offerings evoke the warmth of the handcrafted work that is typically associated with Scandinavian modernism.
In the 1960s, the company was bought by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s. Surviving examples of early work from the brand as well as modern icons by the likes of Verner Panton that followed in later years continue to be in demand.
Find a collection of France & Søn furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Lounge Chairs for France & SønBy France & Søn, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of stunning Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen lounge chairs designed for France & Søn in Denmark circa 1950s. This design uses quality teak wood and a few studio Craft techniq...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood, Teak
- Peter Hvidt Modular Teak & Brass Coffee Table for France & SonBy France & Søn, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Expertly Restored - Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Teak & Cane Daybed SofaBy Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Los Angeles, CA________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Wood, Teak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen "Ax" Lounge Chair for Fritz HansenBy Peter Hvidt, Fritz Hansen, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated 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
- Expertly Restored -Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Model FD-146 Lounge ChairBy France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in Los Angeles, CALounge Chair designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen in Denmark circa 1950’s. This stunning Model FD-146 features a walnut-stained beechwood frame wit...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFoam, Beech
- Peter Hvidt Model FD-146 Teak & Cane Lounge Chair by France & DaverkosenBy Peter Hvidt, France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of lounge chairs designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen in Denmark circa 1950’s. This spectacular pair of model FD-146 chairs feature a teak woo...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Wood, Teak
- 60s 70s Teak Coffee Table Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & SønBy France & Søn, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Neuenkirchen, NI60s 70s teak coffee table Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn Object: coffee table Manufacturer: France & Son Condition: good - vintage Age: around 1960-...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Teak Coffee Table for France & Son, Denmark, 1960sBy Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Hellouw, NLNice Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard teak coffee table for France & Son from Denmark the 1960s. This table has a minimalistic design, however is elegant due to the usage of the round e...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Side TableBy Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Esbjerg, DKPeter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen side table in partly solid teak Model Silverline, Made by France & Daverkosen in the 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Peter Hvidt& Orla Mølgaard Nielsen Teak Round Coffee Table for France& Son, 1950By France & Søn, Hvidt & MølgaardLocated in The Hague, NLThis round coffee table was designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen and was produced by France & Søn in 1950s, Denmark. This circular table is made out of solid teak wood and...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Teak Minerva Coffee table by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-NielsenBy John Stuart, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful solid teak coffee table from the Minerva line by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Minerva Coffee Table by P. Hvidt & O. Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Son.By Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-NielsenLocated in Eindhoven, Noord BrabantThis teak coffee table, in a square shape, was designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen in the sixties. It was manufactured by France & Son and has a solid teak frame. The leg...Category
Mid-20th Century French Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak