Along with Vernor Panton, cabinetmaker and architect Arne Vodder was a leading light of what might be called the “second generation” of forward-thinking 20th-century Danish furniture designers — those who, following in the footsteps of Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and others, first applied the skills, traditions and philosophical tenets of Scandinavian craftsmanship to a modern furniture idiom.
Vodder was a graduate student in architecture trained by Juhl, a pioneer of furniture design credited with igniting the Scandinavian modernist movement that swept like wildfire across the United States in the postwar era. Vodder made his mark in the 1960s, when modern design had gained wide acceptance, particularly in the business world. Accordingly, many of Vodder's chairs, created for manufacturers such as France & Søn, Fritz Hansen and Sibast, are quiet in form — projecting an air of sturdiness and strength, rather than avant-garde styling.
Vodder’s aesthetic flair is very pronounced in his vintage cabinets and storage pieces — sideboards, bookcases, credenzas and buffets. In such pieces, the designer liked to play with asymmetry.
Vodder’s bookcases often have a seemingly random array of variously sized shelves and nooks. A typical Vodder sideboard of the mid-century period — his classic Model 29 case piece is known to collectors — might have four sections, each different in purpose and look: an open stack of vertical shelves, and other cupboards covered with sliding panels in contrasting colored laminates and wood veneers.
As you will see from the works on 1stDibs, Vodder had a sense of what kind of design was appropriate for which space: sobriety in the boardroom; playfulness at home.
Find vintage Arne Vodder furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Danish Designer, Lounge Chair, Teak, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brown wool fabric lounge chair designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1950s. Wooden legs and arms present with light areas of wear consistent with age and use. Original up...
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Yngve Ekström, Lounge Chair, Oak, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in High Point, NC
An oak, leather and beige red striped fabric lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Swedese, Sweden, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in bra...
Fabric, Oak
Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Lounge Chair, Beech, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in High Point, NC
A beech and beige fabric lounge chair designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen and produced by Komfort Randers, Denmark, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 16” Arm Height (inches): 22.81" All ite...
Fabric, Beech
Svegards Markaryd, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Svegards Markaryd
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige fabric lounge chair produced by Svegards Markaryd, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.75"H x 25.785"W x 27.0"D Seat Height (inches): 17.75" Arm Hei...
Fabric, Wood
Danish Designer, Lounge Chair, Beech, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A stained beech and fabric lounge chair designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Vintage fabric in fair condition consistent with age an...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Danish Designer, Lounge Chair, Oak, Fabric, Denmark, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and fabric lounge chair designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1960s. Fabric on removable cushion has mild stains on one side, moderate stains on other. Mild to moderate imper...
Fabric, Oak
Teak Armchair FD 164 by Arne Vodder for France and Son, Denmark, 1960s
By France & Søn, Arne Vodder
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 69 × 75 × 75 × 39 cm (27.2" × 29.5" × 29.5" × 15.4") Width × Depth × Height × Seat Height Original FD 164 lounge chair by Arne Vodder, made in Denmark – a sculptural ico...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Ib Kofod-Larsen Lounge Chair, Teak Frame, Wool Upholstery, 1960s
By Seffle Möbelfabrik, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ib Kofod-Larsen , lounge chair new upholstered with Magrethe wool fabric from Nevotex Frame with sculptural arm leans in teak. Made by Selig.
Beech, Wool
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Danish Mid-Century Armchair, Teak Easy Chair by Grete Jalk, France & Søn, 1950s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the fra...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Danish Lounge Chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen, Teak & Leather, 1955
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Berlin, DE
A rare Danish lounge chair designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen for G. Laauser in 1955. This elegant piece features a beautifully sculpted teak wood frame with a gently steamed backrest, show...
Leather, Teak
Vintage Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold Teak Lounge Chair-Denmark, 1960s
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lovely and dynamically-proportioned lounge or easy chair attributed to Arne Hovmand-Olsen and manufactured by Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik (metal manufacturer's stamp to underside) in sculpted teak and original boucle wool upholstery. Deeply patinated teak lends visual contrast against the off-white upholstery. Completely original condition down the the seat straps and brass hardware. Sophisticated seat cushion and backrest mounting system consisting of custom brass spacers which create a suspended effect to the panels keeping the design very airy and light. Hovmand-Olsen’s designs span seating, tables, and secretaries, all of which are characteristically simple in form with clean lines, organic curves, and tapered legs. Like many of his Danish contemporaries, he favored the use of high-quality, beautifully grained woods like teak and rosewood. Notable designs include his Model 175 chair (1955)—which is often mistaken for N.O. Møller’s Model 77 chair...
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