One of the greatest cabinetmakers in Denmark, Niels Vodder had an illustrious career in Danish furniture. And just as like-minded duos Kaare Klint and Rudolph Rasmussen or Hans Wegner and Johannes Hansen had, Vodder — in partnership with Finn Juhl for more than 20 years — set a high standard for Scandinavian modernism.
Vodder had already established his position as an in-demand cabinetmaker by the time Juhl came into his small workshop in 1937. Juhl — a pioneer of 20th-century Danish design and a pivotal figure in the introduction of Danish modern in the United States — had often authored technically complicated designs that other woodworkers found impossible to execute. Vodder, however, would prove otherwise through his skill and ingenuity. Together, the two ushered in an era of innovative Danish design to an international audience at annual Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibitions in Copenhagen.
Some of Juhl’s most iconic lounge chairs, such as the NV 45 chair and the Chieftain chair, were first built by Vodder. Most of the seating executed by Vodder was done in teak, although some chairs were handcrafted in mahogany, rosewood and other attractive woods. The Chieftain, formally the FJ 49 A, won the Danish Design Award in the “Classic” category, while the NV 45 can be found in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Juhl’s FJ 51 chair was featured in the United Nations Trusteeship Council chamber — designing and furnishing the chamber was one of Juhl’s notable accomplishments in the early 1950s.
One of the keys to the pair’s success lay in the combination of Juhl’s self-taught approach and Vodder’s progressive outlook on his trade. The latter's workshop was modest in size and he was a pioneer with respect to the use of subcontractors in manufacturing, while Juhl had no formal training in furniture design. Juhl's early ambition was to pursue art history; instead, at his father’s request, he earned a degree in architecture. His studies and enthusiasm for art resulted in inspired pieces that were free from traditional norms, while Vodder possessed the technical prowess to refine and bring these ideas to fruition.
As Ejnar Pedersen — founder of P.P. Møbler — once said, “ (I)f we had no Niels Vodder, we would not have had the Finn Juhl we know today.” Vodder passed away in 1982.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Niels Vodder seating, tables and case pieces.
Finn Juhl NV 48 Chair for Niels Vodder Mid Century
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic example of mid-century modern design, this Finn Juhl No. 48 open armchair dates to the 1950s and was manufactured by Baker Furniture, USA, one of the few American firms lic...
Teak
Pair of Finn Juhl '109' Armchairs in Teak, Cognac Leather & Brass, 1946
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is an exquisite pair of vintage mid-century modern NV-109 chairs, designed by the renowned Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder in the 1950s. An early edition of Juhl's work, these ch...
Brass
$24,960Sale Price|35% Off
Finn Juhl NV-53, Original Rosewood Lounge Chair, Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1953
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl NV-53, Original Rosewood Lounge Chair, Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1946 Finn Juhl originally designed the 53-series for master joiner Niels Vodder. It was introduced at the Cope...
Brass
Rare Pair of Sigurd Ressell Arm Chairs for Niels Vodder, Oak and Leather
By Sigurd Ressell, Niels Vodder
Located in Miami, FL
Rare pair of Sigurd Ressell arm chairs for Niels Vodder. Oak and leather seats. Foam and leather have recently been replaced, Rotex webbing is original. One chair still has the origi...
Leather, Oak
1959 Sigurd Ressell Armchair of Solid Teak, Seat covered with Natural Leather
By Sigurd Ressell, Niels Vodder
Located in London, GB
1959 Sigurd Ressell Armchair of solid teak, seat covered with natural leather. Made by Cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Model SR59, designed in 1959 and presented at the Copenhagen Cabinet...
Leather, Teak
$40,700 / set
H 32.68 in W 28.75 in D 27.96 in
Finn Juhl Pair of Original Vintage NV-53 Chairs, c1950s
By Finn Juhl
Located in London, England
Finn Juhl - Pair of Rare NV-53 Lounge Chairs, 1953 One of Finn Juhl’s most rare and sought after designs. The NV-53 was produced by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Juhl’s long-tim...
Fabric, Teak
Danish Modern Finn Juhl NV-53 Settee
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A rare Finn Juhl designed settee produced by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder known as the NV53. Teak frame with upholstered seat. Frame stamped with Niels Vodder logo. Profession...
Upholstery, Teak
$22,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
Set of 10 Finn Juhl Attributed Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs, Denmark, 1950s
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 10 Danish Midcentury Modern Dining Chairs. This set includes 10 side chairs. The chairs are rendered in polished walnut turned frames with black leather seats and walnut backs...
Brass
Set of 8 Finn Juhl Egyptian Teak Dining Chairs
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Kensington, MD
- Designed in 1949 for the Cabinetmakers Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, this is one of the most iconic designs by Finn Juhl. - The teak has aged to a deep rich patina and is a strik...
Upholstery, Teak
Erik Worts Rosewood & Cane Armchair with Leather Seat 1950s
By Erik Worts, Worts Mobler
Located in London, England
Erik Wørts - Rosewood and Cane Back Armchair Erik Worts achieved great commercial success in his design career largely through collaborations with IKEA in Sweden and FDB Mobler in D...
Leather, Rosewood
Mid Century Modern faded tan Leather 3 seat Sofa Sigurd Ressell Norway
By Sigurd Ressell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Scandinavian modern light tan low deep leather 3 seat sofa on 2 front ball casters and 2 back wooden legs. Beautiful light tan soft leather is soft and shows signs of use...
Leather, Wood
$30,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.25 in W 24.75 in D 24 in
Set of 14 Finn Juhl Attributed Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs, Denmark, 1950s
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 14 Danish Midcentury Modern Dining Chairs. This set includes 4 armchairs and 10 side chairs. The chairs are rendered in polished walnut turned frames with the 4 armchairs ha...
Brass
Finn Juhl, Lounge Chair, Teak, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in High Point, NC
A teak, green and off-white fabric lounge chair, model NV-45, designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Niels Vodder, Denmark, c. 1950s. With makers branded stamp to frame. One of two a...
Fabric, Teak
Finn Juhl, Lounge Chair, Teak, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in High Point, NC
A teak, green and off-white fabric lounge chair, model NV-45, designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Niels Vodder, Denmark, c. 1950s. With makers branded stamp to frame. One of two a...
Fabric, Wood
Original Finn Juhl NV45 Chair by Niels Vodder Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic original Finn Juhl NV45 chair in teak by Niels Vodder, Denmark, circa 1950s. This fine example retaining its original two tone wool upholstery. O...
Teak
$1,634
H 37.8 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Brown Leather Lounge Chair 'Model Superstar" by Sigurd Ressell. 1970s
By Sigurd Ressell
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A striking and comfortable 1970s Danish lounge chair designed by Sigurd Ressell for Trygg Møbler, known as the “Superstar” model. This iconic piece features a sculptural frame in dar...
Metal
$58,500
H 35.44 in W 26.38 in D 33.47 in
Mogens Voltelen for Niels Vodder 'Copenhagen II' Lounge Chair in Oak and Leather
By Mogens Voltelen, Niels Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Voltelen for Niels Vodder, 'Copenhagen II' lounge chair, model 'MV60', solid oak, leather, brass, Denmark, design 1960, made 1960s/70s The MV60 lounge chair, also known as Co...
Brass
Midcentury Settee, possibly Finn Juhl /Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl
Located in Richmond, VA
Great, sleek midcentury settee recently upholstered. No markings but very similar to Niels Vodder's model NV53.
Upholstery, Wood
Finn Juhl Delegate's Chair
By Baker Furniture Company, Finn Juhl
Located in Highland, IN
We feel that Finn Juhl's delegate's chair (or FJ51) is one of his most under appreciated designs. Perhaps overshadowed by the sexy #45 chair, with which it shares many qualities, it ...
Teak, Upholstery
$4,850 / set
H 31.89 in W 30.71 in D 32.68 in
Sigurd Ressell Pair of Falcon Lounge Chairs in Leather, Canvas and Birch 1970s
By Sigurd Ressell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Meer, VAN
Sigurd Ressell Pair of Falcon Lounge Chairs in Leather, Canvas and Birch for Vatne Møbler Norway 1970s This is a very elegant and comfortable pair of Falcon lounge chairs by Sigurd ...
Leather, Canvas, Birch
Sold
H 32.68 in W 27.56 in D 30.32 in
Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder Armchair 'NV 45' in Teak and Blue Fabric Upholstery
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, NV45, teak, blue fabric, Denmark, design 1945, production, 1950s This ‘NV45’ chair by Finn Juhl is executed in teak and blue fabric. The chair is made by...
Fabric, Teak
Mogens Voltelen Cognac Copenhagen Chair
By Niels Vodder, Mogens Voltelen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair model 'Københavnerstolen', in oak and leather, by Mogens Voltelen for cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1936. Stunning Copenhagen lounge chair by Mogens Voltelen (...
Leather, Oak
Mogens Voltelen Early and Rare Copenhagen Chair
By Niels Vodder, Mogens Voltelen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair model 'Københavnerstolen', in oak and leather, by Mogens Voltelen for cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark, 1936. Stunning Copenhagen lounge chair by Mogens Voltelen (...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.1 in D 24.8 in L 31.5 in
1950s NV48 Dining Chair by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder in Teak and Sorensen
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Victoria, BC
he NV48 dining chair was designed by Finn Juhl in the late 1940s and produced by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder in Denmark. The design reflects Juhl’s early exploration of separating upho...
Teak
A pair of Finn Juhl NV53 easy chairs for Niels Vodder, 1953
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A rare pair of NV-53 teak easy chairs upholstered with blue fabric. Designed 1953, executed by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Denmark. Marked with burn mark by the cabinetmaker. Acq...
Brass
Finn Juhl 45 chair made of rosewood by Niels Vodder c1950
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in London, GB
This early edition of Finn Juhl's iconic 45 chair was made circa 1950 by Niels Vodder and has recently been restored as an investment piece. The rosewood frame has been disassembled...
Rosewood
Sold
H 32.68 in W 25.2 in D 24.41 in
Finn Juhl Armchair NV46 by Niels Vodder in Teakwood & Natural Leather, 1950s
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Odense, DK
Early edition FJ46 (NV46) armchair by Finn Juhl executed by Master Cabinetmaker Niels Vodder at his workshop in the 1950s. The chair has never been restored in any way and retains t...
Leather, Teak
Danish Modern Rosewood Finn Juhl NV 45 Arm Chair
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This exquisite and rare rosewood piece showcases Finn Juhl's highly sought-after design, the NV 45. It's a rare find, as this design is scarcely available, especially in Brazilian Rosewood, meticulously crafted by the master cabinet maker Niels Vodder. Our example remains in its original, pristine state, complete with the original purchase order from Den Permanente A/S (dated May 11th, 1984) and the original tag from Niels Vodder in Allerod, Denmark. According to Niels Vodder's son, who oversaw the workshop at the time, this specific chair was one of the last three 1960s productions of the 45 chair...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Sold
H 32.88 in W 27.17 in D 29.53 in
Finn Juhl NV45 Teak Armchair, Original Example Made by Niels Vodder, Design 1945
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Finn Juhl NV45 teak armchair, original example made by Niels Vodder, design 1945. In lovely condition, with recent upholstery in oatmeal wool with pale grey cushion.
Teak
Pair of Finn Juhl Nv 48 Chair Blue Leather
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Oakland, CA
Introducing a pair of iconic Finn Juhl armchairs, model NV-48, for Niels Vodder, designed in 1948, Denmark. Each chair is a masterpiece of sculptural form and craftsmanship. Hand-car...
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 32.68 in W 24.41 in D 19.3 in
Danish armchair in Teak and fabric model BO-72 by Finn Jhul for Bovirke 1946.
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Exceptional Scandinavian armchair. Considered one of Finn Juhl's masterpieces, the NV46 armchair was first presented in 1946 and, in teak wood, was only ever made by Niels Vodder. Re...
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27.25 in D 23.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Finn Juhl Leather & Teak Armchairs Nv48 Neils Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
We are proud to present this rare and stuuning design by Finn Juhl, teak Model #NV48 by the famous designer Neils Vodder. Original upholstery in good cond...
Teak
Copenhagen Lounge Chair by Mogens Voltelen
By Mogens Voltelen, Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An impressive lounge chair by Mogens Voltelen for Niels Vodder, c.1936, Denmark. This comfortable lounge chair features a stunning sculptural beech wood frame and legs. The aged cogn...
Leather, Wood, Beech
Sold
H 28.38 in W 25.5 in D 20.5 in
Pair of Signed Vintage Finn Juhl '109' Armchairs in Teak, Leather & Brass, 1946
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very rare pair of vintage signed Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder (Cabinetmaker) 109 armchairs in teak, black leather, and brass. Elegantly suspended backrests supported by Finn Juhl's s...
Brass
Finn Juhl NV-45 Chair in Rosewood for Niels Vodder, 1945
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Finn Juhl NV 45 chair with frame of Brazilian rosewood, upholstered with fabric. Designed 1945 and made at cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Stamped by maker. ...
Fabric, Rosewood