Working in rich woods to create durable furniture that is today recognized for its elegant simplicity and solid craftsmanship, Niels Otto Møller was one of the original designers of the famed Scandinavian modern movement that swept through postwar Europe and, eventually, the United States.
At the age of 19, Møller studied to be a cabinetmaker, gaining a strong affinity for working with natural materials. He furthered his education at the local design academy in his hometown of Århus, Denmark, where, in 1944, he established J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik. Møller’s first chair — called simply No. 1 — was introduced in 1946. In 1961, he expanded his thriving business by opening a factory in Højbjerg, producing his popular dining chairs as well as armchairs, lounge chairs, tables and more. Rather than unnecessary ornamentation, he focused on a warm and more minimalist approach that valued function over form. Nearly all of his pieces, from the 1962 Model 78 chair to his simple tables, feature gentle curves formed from woods such as rosewood and teak (a sought-after material among furniture designers of the time).
Though the furnishings boasted a contemporary look and were a departure from the ornate designs of the recent past, Møller’s company crafted all of them using traditional, age-old techniques. For instance, the 1959 Model 77 side chair’s seat is handwoven using a single 425-foot-long cord. Today, the Danish furniture designer’s refined pieces continue to be as sought after as they were when mid-century modernism was in full swing.
The company, still based in its original factory, remains a family business, now headed by Møller’s granddaughter, Kirsten Møller. Along with new pieces, they craft the celebrated original designs, from raw wood to finished assembled products, that made J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik a renowned name in Danish Modern design.
Find a collection of vintage Niels Otto Møller furniture on 1stDibs.
1960s Niels Otto Møller Twelve Restored Teak Dining Chairs, Custom Upholstery
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 12 teak dining chairs designed by Niels Otto Møller in 1951. The chairs feature a solid frame and backrest in teak designed with straight lined legs and an elegant organic sh...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Ten Fully Restored and Customizable Model 42 Teak Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Kai Kristiansen Ten Fully Restored and Customized Model 42 Teak Dining Chairs by by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik. The very comfortable chairs have ...
Leather, Fabric, Teak
Niels Moller Eight Restored Dining Rosewood Chairs Including Custom Upholstery
By J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik, Niels Otto Møller
Located in Knebel, DK
Niels Moller Eight Restored Dining Rosewood Chairs Including Custom Upholstery The iconic model 78 dining chair was designed in 1954 by Niels O. Møller for J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik....
Rosewood
Eight Restored Johannes Andersen Teak Dining Chairs Custom Reupholstery Included
By Johannes Andersen, Vamo Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of eight restored Johannes Andersen dining chairs in teak inc. custom reupholstery designed for Vamo Sønderborg The comfortable chairs features a solid minimalistic shaped te...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Twelve Fully Restored Dining Chairs in Teak - Custom Upholstery
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of twelve fully restored, 1960s teak dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik. The chairs have Kai Kristiansens typical light and elegant design that make them fit in easily where you want them in your home - a design that was so uniqe that his colleague the famous designer Hans J. Wegner characterized model 42 as beautiful from all angles when the chair with it´s unique backrest swivel function was revealed in 1956. The chairs are in very good condition as they have been fully restored, sanded by hand and refinished by our experienced workshop to insure that they are in very good condition with only minimal signs of age and use and will be reupholstered without additional cost in fabric of your choice from "Kvadrat" / standard leathers from "Sorensen Leather" or for additional price luxury leathers (Elegance, Vegetal, Rustic, Pure and Royal Nubuck). Kai Kristiansen was one of the last pupils of the famous architect Kaare Klint who founded modern Danish design and laid the foundation for the "Danish Modern" style. During the years 1958-78 Kristiansen worked in his business in Aarhus owned jointly by himself and furniture maker Illum Wikkelsø (1919-99). Kristiansens works met their most intense demand during a few decades from 1950, then production of them was discontinued. However, several of them are now being produced again by the Japanese furniture producer Miyazaki Chair Mill in Tokushima. An Australien producer has also included Kristiansen production in their portfolio. Kai Kristiansen might have been the originator of mass produced furniture, had he accepted an offer from Ikea-founder Ingvar Kamprad. He declined to let himself enroll in the Ikea staff. Kristiansen exhibitions include numerous participations in furniture and design shows in Milano, Paris, Cologne and London. Among his most cherished works is the Paper Knife collection...
Fabric, Teak, Leather
Ten Restored Kai Kristiansen Oak Dining Chairs Custom Reupholstery Included
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of ten model 31 dining chairs in oak designed by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersens Møbelfabrik in 1956. The chairs have been fully restored and refinished by our cabinetmaker ...
Oak
Teak Niels Møller Dining Chairs Model 78 - 12 Available
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Twelve model 78 Niels Otto Møller for J. L. Møllers Møbelfabrik chairs in stock. Makers mark stamped on each chair. The chairs currently have a variety of upholstery and are waitin...
Leather, Teak
10 Niels O. Møller Dining Chairs Model 71 by J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10 teak dining chairs designed by Niels Otto Møller for J. L. Møllers Møbelfabrik. The model 71 dates to 1968 and is an exceptional chair offerin...
Teak, Upholstery
Niels O. Møller Model 78 Rosewood Dining Chairs, 1962
By Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in London, England
Niels O. Møller Model 78 Dining Chairs, 1962. Set of eight rosewood dining chairs designed by Niels O. Møller for J.L. Moller Mobelfabrik, Denmark, 1962. Seats reupholstered in pre...
Leather, Rosewood
Set of 8 Niels Møller Model 77 Rosewood Dining Chairs, 1959
By Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in London, England
Niels Moller - Model 77 Dining Chairs, 1959 A rare set of 8 rosewood dining chairs designed by Danish master: Niels O. Moller for his own company J.L. Moller Mobelfabrik in Denmark ...
Leather, Rosewood
Expertly Restored-Niels Koefoed “Eva” Teak & Leather Dining Chairs for Koefoeds
By Niels Koefoed, Koefoeds Møbelfabrik 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Teak Wood, New Italian Cognac Leather, New High-Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing...
Leather, Foam, Wood, Teak
Niels Otto Møller Teak and Leather Dining Chairs, Models 66 & 83
By Niels Otto Møller, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six teak dining chairs, model #83 designed by Niels Otto Møller for J. L. Møllers Møbelfabrik. Makers mark stamped on each chair. The chairs currently have a brown leather u...
Leather, Teak
