3-Seater / Daybed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard (Sold)

This 3-seater, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard was produced by France and Son in Denmark starting from 1957. The backrest can be unscrewed and taken out off the bottom of the seating frame. The seating can be shoved all all the way over the backside of the frame, creating a comfortable daybed to rest on. Very nice patina on the teak frame. The frame, springs inside and woolen fabric are still original. A small hole and dito cut on the front and back of the matress have been stitched. Further in good condition

Product / Model

3-Seater / Minerva

Designer

Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard

Manufacturer

France & Son

Country

Denmark

Date

1950’s

Price

SOLD

Details
Designer

Dimensions:

W: 189 cm
D: 79 cm
H: 81 cm

Seating height: 40 cm

Weight: approx. 35 kilo

Material: Teak

The designs by Peter Hvidt (1916-1986) and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (1907-1993) are renowned for their simplicity and craftsmanship. They met and became friends at Kunsthåndværerskolens Snedkerskole, which is now known as the Royal Danis Academy of Fine Arts. Mølgaard-Nielsen completed his studies under the Danish furniture design pioneer and architect Kaare Klint. Hvidt on the other hand already started his own firm in 1940. After they won a design competition held in Stockholm, Hvidt partnered with Mølgaard-Nielsen in 1944 to establish a firm together in Copenhagen. Their designs proved to be versatile and innovative, with the Portex chair (sometimes attributed to Hvidt alone) as Denmarks first stackable chair and the famous AX chair. Being made of laminated plywood this sculptural chair could easily be mass-produced as it could be transported as a flat pack and easily assembled at any destination. This opened the gate to economical transport on cargo and therefore could be obtained by a worldwide audience.

After collaborating with producers as Fritz Hansen, France & Son and Søborg Møbelfabrik their heritage spans for over 3 decades, resulting in over 250 designs. Their work can be seen in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, in Copenhagen’s Design Museum and at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. The innovative character and the warmth of the appealing materials used in their designs make their work also very attractive to collector’s worldwide. They even created a wardrobe for the Queen of Denmark herself!