Three-seater Minerva FD417 sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France & Søn, (1950s) Denmark

Rare Minerva Sofa 

A fully original Minerva 3 seater sofa with arm rest designed in 1950 by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen. 

Fully reupholstered with new foam, back cushions seat cushion and armrest cushion.

The sofa is marked and labelled with the correct France & Daverkosen makers mark, confirming early production and full authenticity.

Design & Construction

The Minerva series was one of Hvidt & Mølgaard-Nielsen’s most innovative modular systems. It was designed around the idea of flexibility and engineering efficiency.
The sofa can be fully dismantled: legs screw into metal casings; back and side rests fix with beautifully machined aluminium bolts. The arm rest can be positioned on either side. Deep, wide seats offer generous comfort -  ideal for reading, relaxing or everyday family use. When the back cushion is removed, the three-seater is equivalent in size to a single bed, a feature that made the Minerva a highly practical design in mid-century Danish homes.

Condition

Excellent vintage condition with original frames, fixings and labels. The teak has been cleaned and oiled and has a warm, consistent grain.

About the Designers

Peter Hvidt (1916–1986) and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (1907–1993) were leading figures in Danish modernism. Known for their refined approach to structure and their commitment to efficient, elegant solutions, they designed pieces that were both technically advanced and visually understated. Their work with France & Daverkosen helped establish Danish furniture as an international export in the 1950s.

Provenance
    •    France & Daverkosen, Denmark
    •    makers mark 
    •    Designed 1950

Dimensions,

3 seater sofa, Height 78.0 cm Width 202.0 cm Depth 77.0 cm