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Bernt Petersen Furniture

Danish, 1937-2017

Architect and designer Bernt Petersen created a range of minimalist Scandinavian modern furniture that is today prized by collectors. His vintage desks, chairs, tables and other pieces for manufacturers such as Wørts Møbelsnedkeri and Søborg Møbelfabrik were made largely in light woods such as ash and beech, and his work is recognizable by its fluid architectural qualities and impeccably clean lines.

Just as other Danish modernists such as Hans Wegner, Børge Mogensen and Finn Juhl had, Petersen prioritized function over form and believed in the honesty of the materials with which he worked. He strived to create durable pieces for the home and adhere to the principles of traditional craftsmanship. 

Petersen’s work was free of opulent ornamentation and surface embellishments — he created inviting high-backed mahogany dining chairs that were upholstered in leather and understated credenzas in rosewood. His linoleum-topped desks in solid pine stood on slender legs and featured exposed finger joints, which drew attention to his prioritization of age-old woodworking techniques. Vintage editions of his revered Rag chair for Schiang Denmark, framed in pine, offer mid-century elegance and ergonomic comfort for the guests in your living room. 

Petersen set on his path of furniture making early, training as a cabinetmaker. He went on to attend the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design, and graduated in 1960. Petersen subsequently worked for a time with Mobilia and for the aforementioned Wegner — a prolific designer of iconic seating and enthusiast of the finest methods in joinery — before opening his own workshop in 1963. Petersen saw a fair amount of success in producing his own furniture, particularly as the popularity of Scandinavian modern furniture had grown around the world and especially in the United States.

Petersen taught at the Denmark Design School from 1973 to 1978, and then went on to lecture at the Royal Danish Academy's Furniture School from 1978 to 1985. He won awards from the Danish Furniture Manufacturers’ Association, the Danish Society of Arts and Crafts, and other organizations. 

Find vintage Bernt Petersen tables, seating and storage pieces on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Bernt Petersen
Pair of Danish "Rag" Easy Lounge Chairs in Oak & Bouclé by Bernt Petersen, 1966
By Bernt Petersen, Schiang
Located in Vienna, AT
Bernt Petersen (1937-2017) 2 oak armchairs with white upholstered Bouclé cushions, Denmark 1966- Priced as a pair. Rare and very sought after pair of easy lounge chair designed by B...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bouclé, Oak

Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk
By Bernt Petersen, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, England
Bernt Petersen Mahogany Writing Desk, circa 1950s An exceptional 4-drawer desk from Danish designer Bernt Petersen and made by master cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. The legs, drawer f...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Danish "Rag" Easy Lounge Chairs in Pine and Fabric by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Rare and very sought after set of easy lounge chair designed by Bernt Petersen for Schiang Furniture of Denmark in 1966. Oak frames with loose cushions in seat and back upholstered w...
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1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Wool, Oak

Bernt Petersen blue Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Bernt Petersen
Located in Skokie, IL
Bernt Petersen blue Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982. Armchair in beech, with seat and back in plywood. The aim of this design was to create an easychair without upho...
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1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Beech

Set of 14 Dining Chairs in Rosewood and Cane by Bernt Petersen, 1960's
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 14 Dining Chairs in Rosewood, Cane and Horsehair Upholstery with Leather Piping by Bernt Petersen, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, cane and horsehair uphol...
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20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Leather, Cane

Bernt Petersen Red Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Bernt Petersen
Located in Skokie, IL
Bernt Petersen Red Crate Lounge Chair for Carl Hansen Denmark, 1982. Armchair in beech, with seat and back in plywood. The aim of this design was to create an easychair without uphol...
Category

1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Beech

Danish Modern Bernt Petersen Caned Stool
By Bernt Petersen, Worts Mobler
Located in Minneapolis, MN
An elegantly designed teak and cane stool by Bernt Petersen for Worts Mobler. Some loss to the caning. Professional, skilled furniture restoration is an i...
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Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Cane, Teak

Pair of Lounge Chairs by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of elegant armchairs by Bernt Petersen, with rosewood frames and comfortable natural leather seats and backs. Smooth lines with nicely contrasting materials. Leather in very goo...
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1960s Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Midcentury Scandinavian Modern Mahogany Armchair with French Wicker
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This very rare armchair was designed in 1964 by Bernt Petersen for the Danish manufacture Wørts Møbelsnedkeri during the 1960s. The frame of the armchair is made of light mahogany wo...
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1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Mahogany

Stool in Rio rosewood by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen, Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Stool in rio rosewood and wicker by Bernt Petersen.
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Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Rosewood

Nice and Massive Oregon Pine Dining Table with Wonderful Slat Extension
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Munich, DE
By Bernt Petersen. Two extensions 48cm (18.9 inch)/each. Chairs are sold.
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20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Pine

Bernt Petersen Cane Rosewood Lounge Chair 1960s
By Bernt Petersen, Worts Mobler
Located in London, England
Bernt Petersen - Cane Lounge Chair, c1962 Rare lounge chair produced by Worts Mobelsnedkeri in Denmark. The original cane sides and back are in immaculate condition. The frame is ma...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Wool, Rosewood

Stool in Rio rosewood by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen, Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Stool in Rio rosewood and wicker by Bernt Petersen.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Cane, Rosewood

Bernt Petersen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Set of Four Dining Chairs in Leather
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bernt Petersen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, set of four dining chairs, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s Elegant and comfortable set of four dining chairs designed by Bernt Petersen in t...
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Bernt Peterson Double Drop Leaf Table Desk with Free Standing Return
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Bernt Peterson designed minimalist drop-leaf office table desk in oak. This is a substantial and well constructed table finished with spare but eleg...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Oak

1960s Bernt Peterson, 3 Large Hardwood Side-Tables, Made by Rud Rasmussen
By Bernt Petersen, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
1960s Bernt Peterson, 3 Large Mahogany Side-Tables, Made by Rud Rasmussen. In great structural condition. Re-polishing in progress.
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Rosewood Coffee Table by Bernt Petersen for Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Denmark, 1960s
By Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Bernt Petersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant rosewood coffee table by Bernt Petersen, with a smooth top. Amazing slender design with beautifully sculpted feet.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Bernt Petersen Modular Sofa in Oak and Saga 180 Fabric, Denmark, 1980
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Hellouw, NL
Bernt Petersen modular sofa in oak and saga 180 fabric from Denmark 1980. This modular sofa can be placed in multiple positions, in total adding to a sofa of ~316 cm. The brown/grey ...
Category

1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Midcentury Coffee Table in Rosewood by Bernt Petersen, Denmark
By Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Bernt Petersen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Coffee table in rosewood by danish architect Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts, 1958. Original untouched and in good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Pine Bench by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Karis, Nyland
Bernt Petersen Danish for Eilersen coffee table / bench in pine with Danish Control sticker on underside.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Pine

Scandinavian Modern Birch and Rattan Stools by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1950s
By Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri, Bernt Petersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of beautiful birch and rattan stools by Bernt Petersen. Beautiful, slender design with sculpted legs and seats that are subtly concave.
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1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Birch

Bernt Petersen Easy Chair Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair designed by Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Cane, Oak

Mid-century Oak and Cane Lounge Chair by Bernt Petersen for Wørts Møbelsnedkeri
By Bernt Petersen
Located in London, GB
Beautiful oak framed lounge chair with cane sides, designed in 1964 by Bernt Petersen for Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri. This stylish mid-century piece features down-filled cushions wit...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Cane, Oak, Down

Bernt Petersen Ash Wood Coffee Table
By Bernt Petersen, Henrik Wørts Møbelsnedkeri
Located in Kastrup, DK
Coffee table in ash wood by Danish furniture designer Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts for Rud Rasmussen, c. 1966. Untouched condition with normal signs of age and use.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Ash

A Pair of Pine Benches, Bernt Petersen, Denmark
By Bernt Petersen
Located in London, GB
A pair of pine benches designed by Danish designer, Bernt Petersen, in the 1960s. Low enough to be used as coffee tables or as occasional seating, the simple construction of this p...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Pine

Bernt Petersen Sofa Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare sofa designed by Bernt Petersen. Produced by Wørts Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark. Easy chair is also available.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Cane, Oak

Sofa in Walnut, Cane and Original Leather by Bernt Petersen, 1964
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Walnut, Cane and Original Leather by Bernt Petersen, 1964 Additional Information: Material: Walnut, cane and original leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Wø...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Leather, Cane

Bernt Petersen for Niels Eilersen bench made of oak, 1960
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Discover the timeless beauty of the Bernt Petersen design sofa, carefully restored by professionals. Originally designed in the 1960s in Denmark, this iconic sofa is an oak masterpi...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Oak

1968 Vintage Danisch Bernt Petersen ''The Rag'' orange fabric chair
By Bernt Petersen, Schiang
Located in Markington, GB
1968 vintage Danisch Bernt Petersen ''The Rag'' orange fabric chair Stunning chair designed by Bernt Petersen and made by schiang furniture makers, lovely organic shape, fabric i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Large Elmwood Desk by Bernt Petersen
By Bernt Petersen, Worts Mobler
Located in San Francisco, CA
A substantial elm wood desk by Bernt Petersen for Henrik Worts featuring 2 locking drawers.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bernt Petersen Furniture

Materials

Elm

Bernt Petersen furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Bernt Petersen furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Bernt Petersen furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Bernt Petersen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Erik Ole Jørgensen, Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind, and Helge Sibast. Prices for Bernt Petersen furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,094 and can go as high as $18,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,045.

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