Denmark has a long tradition of producing some of the most acclaimed furniture designers of the 20th century. Johannes Andersen is no exception — his name is synonymous with mid-century modern design. He elevated Scandinavian modernism’s prioritization of practicality and space conservation to new heights and worked with luxurious woods like teak, mahogany and rosewood for a range of designs that merged grace and function.
After completing his cabinetmaker apprenticeship in his early 20s, Andersen began to design for several furniture makers, including CFC Silkeborg and Trensum. A few years later, he opened his own workshop and enjoyed success from the outset. Free of the constraints of working under another studio, Andersen quickly developed his own, distinctive style that drew on Danish functionalism and human-centered design.
After the end of World War II, Andersen noticed the worldwide postwar consumption boom and the burgeoning interest in Scandinavian modern design. He took full advantage of this and began to sell his shapely and eye-pleasing tables, chairs and sideboards to markets outside of Denmark. Other Scandinavian manufacturers took notice of Andersen’s work, which led to many successful, career-long collaborations for the furniture maker.
Like Finn Juhl and Alvar Aalto, Andersen was deeply drawn to organic shapes and flowing lines. He transformed furniture’s traditionally square or rectangular panels and surfaces — like the tops of coffee tables and seat-backs of dining room chairs — into imaginative half-moons with rounded corners, beveled edges and fluid contours. His unexpected use of curves is the highlight of his sleek Capri line for Trensum and can be found in his comfortable saddle-shaped Allegra bar stool and playful but elegant Smile coffee table, which sports an anthropomorphic grin in the slot intended to hold magazines.
Andersen wanted his furniture to be compact — he experimented with reducing the footprints of bulky furniture, and his simple, iconic credenzas, sideboards and folding bar cabinets were born. These and other vintage Johannes Andersen furnishings are in high demand today by collectors and mid-century modern enthusiasts all over the world.
On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Johannes Andersen tables, seating, cabinets and other furniture.
Capri Sofa by Johannes Andersen for Trensum, Sweden, 1960
By Trensum, Johannes Andersen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Capri sofa designed by Johannes Andersen. Produced by Trensum, Sweden, 1960. This fine example retains the original upholstery in good condition. There...
Chrome
$5,174Sale Price|50% Off
H 27.56 in W 96.46 in D 29.53 in
Capri Sofa by Johannes Andersen for Trensum Möbelfabrik
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
The Capri Andersen sofa, designed by Johannes Andersen and manufactured by AB Trensums Fåtöljfabrik, embodies the quintessence of Mid-Century style. Crafted in Sweden during the desi...
Steel
$5,243Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.25 in W 88.75 in D 34 in
Erik Ole Jorgensen for DUX Sofa with Down Cushions in Knoll Fabric
By Dux of Sweden, Erik Ole Jørgensen
Located in South Charleston, WV
Reupholstered less than 12 months ago using Knoll Blue Fabric. 88.75" wide, 30.25" tall and 34" deep. Arm height 23". Special attention was paid in the upholstery with the original d...
Chrome
$5,864
H 28.35 in W 63 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Swedish Tellus Sofa by Folke Jansson for Sm Wincrantz, 1950s
By SM Wincrantz 1, Folke Jansson
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
The stylish Tellus two-seater sofa was designed by Folke Jansson and manufactured for SM Wincrantz Möbelindustri AB Skövde in 1955, features beech legs with original brass details. ...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
$9,900
H 27.96 in W 90.95 in D 37.01 in
Leif Hansen "Model 62" Sofa for Kronen Møbelfabrikken, Denmark, 1960s
By Kronen, Leif Hansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Leif Hansen’s Model 62 sofa is commonly referred to as the “Geisha” and was designed in 1959. This model is a strikingly elegant example of Danish modernism’s streamlined, luxurious aesthetic appeal to contemporary eyes. This three-seater sofa is made of two types of exotic woods and dressed in a premium light fabric. Its character is created by three main elements: the visually sectioned, fully upholstered body, the wooden accents on the arms, and the distinctively shaped legs. It says a lot when a model is representative not only of a designer, but also of a manufactory. So is the case with this Geisha sofa...
Fabric, Wood
"Capri" Sofa DENMARK - 1958
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Forest, BE
Designed in 1958 by Danish designer Johannes Andersen, the Capri model embodies the essence of post-war Scandinavian modernism. Its fluid, sculptural lines are balanced by the lightn...
Velvet
Kurt Østervig Attributed Large Danish Four-Seat Sofa, 1960s
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Amazing sofa sleek organic design lines and just the epitome of the best the Danish designers of the 1960s had to offer. Some of these fantastic designs were in many ways the last ho...
Wool, Teak
Frits Henningsen 3 Seater Sofa 1960's
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Fritz Henningsen, born in 1889, operated his own workshop primarily in Copenhagen, overseeing the entire process from design to furniture production. His high-quality furniture, whic...
Fabric, Mahogany
Midcentury Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Sofa for Knoll, 1940s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
1940s Jens Risom Model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll in charcoal grey upholstery atop tapered stained birch legs, a class Midcentury Modern design. The high back features a row of butto...
Upholstery, Birch
$8,453
H 27.96 in W 105.12 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Modern "Australia Model 50-4" Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern "Australia Model 50-4" Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø, Denmark, 1950s.
Fabric, Wood
Arne Jacobsen Sofa Produced by Cabinetmaker Otto Meyer in Denmark
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Unique freestanding sofa designed by Arne Jacobsen. Produced by cabinetmaker Otto Meyer in Denmark. Provenance: Publisher Fergo, hence by descent in th...
Brass
Bruno Mathsson Sofa Model Karin Produced by DUX in Sweden
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model Karin designed by Bruno Mathsson. Produced by DUX in Sweden.
Steel
Poul Kjærholm PK-31/3 Sofa Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model PK-31/3 designed by Poul Kjærholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Steel
Ole Wanscher Sofa Model 116 / Senator Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model 116 / Senator designed by Ole Wanscher. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Leather, Teak
Finn Juhl Sofa Model BO55 by Bovirke in Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sofa model BO55 designed by Finn Juhl. Produced by Bovirke in Denmark.
Fabric, Beech
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Daybed / Sofa Produced by France & Son
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare minerva daybed / sofa designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Fabric, Cane, Teak
