Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Corner Sofa for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s (sold)
Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Corner Sofa for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1940s (sold)
Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen's significant work has been mainly carried out together with his partner, Peter Hvidt, but the designer’s earlier models -like this sofa- are widely renowned for their understated elegance and quality.
This rare sofa was designed for the legendary manufacturer, Fritz Hansen, likely before the Danish designer partnered with Peter Hvidt. While Fritz Hansen produced several of Mølgaard-Nielsen’s sofas, this corner sofa is the most recognizable thanks to its L-shape. It has two main sections, connected by the corner section to form this peculiar shape. This sofa has a streamlined appearance, where sections flow into each other smoothly, thanks to the exquisite craftsmanship. The velour upholstery enhances this effect and highlight the gentle curves of the arm- and backrest. The sofa is decorated with a single, horizontal line of button tufting that gives depth to the design. The stained beech tapered legs pair well with the upholstery and balance out the curved edges of the body. This sofa is ideal for any room as it utilizes dead corners while opening up the centre for rugs or a coffee table. Furthermore, an L-shaped sofa’s more traditional function is to stimulate social interaction as sitters face each other indirectly, which can create a cosy atmosphere.
With its light, clear and simple style, this sofa is a stylish way to bring modernity to a space. The original, light green velour upholstery is an elegant feature that is characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian design.
SOLD
Condition:
The sofa has its original, light green velour upholstery in vintage condition. Traces of wear and use. Although the upholstery looks good at first glance, we would recommend reupholstering. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
70.86 in W x 29.52 in D x 31,49 in H; Seat height 16.92 in
180 cm W x 75 cm D x 80 cm H; Seat height 43 cm
About the Designer:
Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (12 September 1907 – 21 October 1993) was a Danish architect and furniture designer. He was born in Aalborg, Denmark.
His formative years were spent in Copenhagen, studying at the Aalborg Technical School and at the Art and Crafts School of the Design Museum. From 1931 until 1934, he continued his studies in furniture design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under the instruction of Kaare Klint. His work, which from 1944 was carried out mainly in partnership with Peter Hvidt at the Hvidt & Mølgaard studio, can be divided into three groups: furniture and interior decoration, buildings, and consultancy on large bridge projects.
The design and architectural firm, Hvidt & Mølgaard was Copenhagen-based, and existed from 1944 until 2009. The company was a pioneering force in Danish furniture design and industrialized production in the 1950s, creating furniture that was easy to mass-produce and economic to transport. During this time, the pair created designs for Fritz Hansen, France & Søn, and Søborg Møbelfabrik. In 1950, they designed the AX Chair, which solidified their careers as industrial designers and became an icon of Danish mid-century design. It was the first Danish chair that was crafted with both a seat and back made of curved laminated wood.
From 1970, Hvidt & Mølgaard focused on architectural projects, which spanned office buildings and factories, as well as collective housing projects. They were known for their light, simple, and clear designs, which were carried out with precision. Both Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen retired in 1975, designing over 256 pieces of furniture together over the course of their careers. Their work can be found at New York’s MoMA, the National Gallery in Melbourne, and the Danish Museum of Art & Design in Copenhagen. ~H.
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Price category: 2,500 - 5,000 usd / eur
This Howard Keith “Bambino” armchair is a piece of history of a company, HK Furniture, and mid-century British design. By absorbing creative influences from abroad, but formulating a distinctive home-grown approach, Howard Keith was among the British designers to pioneer the use of new materials and manufacturing techniques, whilst maintaining links with the vernacular tradition.
The Bambino chair was produced in Keith’s factories in the late 1940s and early 50s. Like the first models, this chair is also constructed of solid beech and is fully upholstered. The shapes and curves of this chair are very pronounced and harmonious. Sculptural form was an important design element for post-war British design, and that is clearly a guiding principle in this Bambino chair as well. It is most evident in the beech arms and the winged back that complement each other’s curves. With classic button tufting, the back has an elegant look, enhanced by the original light upholstery. The sculpted arms run from the very base of the seat, which is a neat detail, especially from the side views. The chair is supported by tapered legs that add to the classic, yet sleek design that defines this Bambino.
Founded in 1933 by Howard Keith, HK established a name for high-quality upholstered products early on. Having appeared in the film ‘Rocketman’, the Diplomat sofa might be the flagship design for HK, nonetheless, the Bambino is their most coveted chair design. Taking into account its traditional elegance and quality, it is easy to understand why.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some minor scratches on the wood. This chair comes with its original upholstery or has been reupholstered by a previous owner. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
27.16 in W x 33.46 in D x 35.03 in H; Seat height 15.74 in
69 cm W x 85 cm D x 89 cm H; Seat height 40 cm
About the Designer:
Howard Keith was born Hans Krebs in 1902 in Germany and changed his name when he came to England around 1933, presumably to escape Nazi Germany.
Founded in 1933 by Howard Keith, HK established a name for high-quality upholstered products. Howard Keith was a designer and maker of stylish upholstered furniture producing designs for a great number of companies. Chairs like the Encore, Viking and Bambino and lounge seating such as Diplomat and Cloud ensured Howard Keith’s position as one of the country’s top furniture designers in the 1940s and 50s. Keith’s company was highly successful in making modern designs for domestic sofas and chairs well into the 1970s, before becoming one of Europe’s top high-end contract upholstery manufacturer. HK designs provided furniture for the QE2, Marlborough House, The Royal Train during the Queen’s jubilee year, the States of Jersey Parliament, the Stock Exchange Boardroom, BP’s headquarters and supplies leather seating for the Portcullis House, new parliament building at Westminster.
In the 1970s, HK started manufacturing high-end conference tables and executive desks and became known for craftsmanship, quality and design winning contracts for major blue-chip organizations such as The Bank of England, The Stock Exchange, Barclays and BP. In 2000, HK made the news desk for BBC South East. Today, the company still specializes in high-quality, custom-made executive and conference room furniture. ~H.