Model 'FD 15/54' cofee table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen owned by James France, co-founder of France & Daverkosen (1960s) Denmark

This table is currently in our storage facility waiting for the wood to be stripped and refinished, it is structurally in great condition.

Model FD 15/54 Coffee Table in Teak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen, Denmark, 1950s

Measures 38cm high, 129.5cm wide, 57cm deep

This coffee table is model FD 15/54, designed in the 1950s by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen, one of the most important Danish furniture manufacturers of the period. Elegant, restrained and precisely constructed, it is a strong example of the duo’s approach to modern furniture design.

The table is defined by its light architectural frame, gently rounded legs and framed teak top, which appears to float above the structure. As with much of Hvidt & Mølgaard-Nielsen’s work, the emphasis is on intelligent construction rather than decoration. The joinery is carefully resolved, giving the table excellent stability while maintaining a calm, understated presence.

Provenance
This particular table is notable for its provenance. It comes from the property of James France, co-founder of France & Daverkosen. Original auction receipts are held and can be passed on to the buyer, providing a clear and documented connection to the manufacturer itself.

Condition
The table is currently in storage and will require the wood to be stripped and re-oiled. Structurally, it is in good condition, with all joints solid and sound. Once refinished, it will present extremely well.

About the designers
Peter Hvidt (1916–1986) and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (1907–1993) began working together in 1944, forming one of the longest and most influential design partnerships in Danish modern furniture. Their collaboration lasted for over thirty years and encompassed furniture, lighting and architectural work.

Mølgaard-Nielsen trained as a cabinetmaker before studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, where he later taught. Hvidt studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen and trained as an architect, bringing a strong interest in engineering and industrial production to the partnership.

Together, they worked with leading manufacturers including France & Daverkosen, Fritz Hansen, Søborg Møbelfabrik, AX Chair (Hvidt Chair) and Andersen & Schønning. Their designs were among the first Danish modern pieces to be widely exported to the United States, helping establish Denmark’s international reputation for high-quality modern furniture in the post-war years.

Their work is characterised by structural clarity, precision, and longevity,qualities that continue to make their designs highly regarded and collectible today.