“DEN STORE DANSKE MØBEL GUIDE,” written by Per H. Hansen and Klaus Petersen and published by Lindhardt og Ringhof, is a comprehensive reference work focused on Danish furniture—particularly the classic pieces produced after the Second World War. The guide is designed to assist consumers in evaluating and purchasing these iconic pieces on the secondary market, providing practical information that supports informed decision-making. The furniture included in the book consists of models that have proven their lasting value, items that continue to circulate today, and especially rare objects with unique historical or production backgrounds.
The price indications found in the guide reflect market evaluations at the time of publication. They should not be interpreted as absolute or universally correct values; instead, readers are encouraged to understand that prices fluctuate based on sales channels (specialty dealers, auctions, private markets) as well as condition and provenance. For discontinued pieces, prices are based primarily on auction results.
Each furniture entry provides detailed information under categories such as Name, Manufacturer, Year, Materials, Upholstery, Price Range, Markings, and Notes. These sections allow readers to identify, understand, and assess each piece with accuracy.
The Notes section offers deeper historical insight, including design characteristics, production variations, rarity, exhibition history, relationships between designers and makers, and other valuable context. You may find information such as whether a piece was created for a particular exhibition, produced in limited numbers, or designed for a specific location (for example, furniture made for the SAS Royal Hotel). Commentary on collaboration between designers and cabinetmakers also appears throughout.
The book further explores how the definition of “Danish classics” has evolved, as well as the interplay between industrial production and traditional craftsmanship. It highlights the essential partnership that developed from the 1930s onward between cabinetmakers (snedkermestre) and architects—a collaboration that played a decisive role in shaping Danish furniture design. What began as one-of-a-kind works eventually transitioned into industrially produced pieces, making high-quality design accessible to a wider audience.
Functionalist ideals and their influence on Danish domestic design are also addressed, explaining how architects pursued simplicity, clarity, and usability in their furniture work. Beyond the individual models, the guide provides a broader narrative about the history and cultural significance of Danish modern furniture.
About
Author
Per H. Hansen, Klaus Petersen
Publisher
Lindhardt og Ringhof
Size
205 × 256 mm (393 pages)
Content
- Preface
- How to Use This Guide
- The Story of Danish Furniture
- The Birth of Modern Classics
- FDB Furniture and Mass Production
- Furniture Catalogue (Model-by-Model Description)
- Designers and Manufacturers
- Glossary, References, Index
Furniture
Ellipsebord, Rektangulært spisebord, Vintergæk, PH 3/2 læselampe, PH bordlampe 31/2, PH 2/2 pendel, PH 2/2 bordlampe, PH slangetaburet, PH Bombardement lysekrone, PH Dobbeltkrone, PH 2/2 drejelig stållampe, PH Globen, PH 5, PH Kogellampe, PH Hat, PH Kontrast, PH bordlampe 4/3, PH 4/3, udendørslampe, Charlottenborg-pendel, Nr. 300 armchair, Spisebordsstol, Portex 112 armchair, FH0135 stol, Skrivebord, Pariserstolen, FH3100 (Myren), FH3601 klapbord, FH3603 (Æggebord), Tungen, FH3102, AJ table lamp, AJ floor lamp, AJ cutlery, FH4130 (Grand Prix), Firkanter café table, FH3571 coffee table, AJ pendel, FH317 / FH3127 (Ægget with ottoman), FH3120 (Svanen), FH3121 (Svanesofa), Dråben, FH3600, dining table, Giraffen, FH4355, St. Catherine’s chair, Oxford chair (high / low back), Oksen, Cylinda-Line, Bankers Clock, FH3108 / FH3208 (Mågen), Skalstol, FH9000 lounge chair, FJ40 desk, Pelikanen, Poeten sofa, NV44, FJ45 sofa, FJ45 chair, FJ46, BO72 armchair, BO63 dining chair, BO64 sofa, BO98 lounge chair, Model 86 dining chair, Domino rug, Karmstol, FD133 (Spade Chair), FD137 (Japan Sofa), FD136 lounge chair, FD540 dining table, FD631 / FD635 tables, FD152 (Swan Chair), Lamæ pendant, Model 192 armchair, PK25, PK0, PK1 / PK2 dining chairs, PK61 coffee table, PK11 armchair, PK51 / 53 / 55 / 57 / 59 tables, PK9 (Tulip Chair), PK91 folding stool, PK24 chaise longue, PK20 lounge chair, PK65 coffee table, Model 6687 table, Model 9602 Teak lounge chair, Den Røde Stol, Model 2758A armchair, Propei folding chair, sideboards, Model 4865 sofa, Model 6092 sofa, Nr. 42 chair, BO810 armchair, Model 4626 dining suite, Jagtbord, Model 2229 hunting chair, Nr. 121 dining suite, Nr. 133 chest, Skalstol with desk, Model 140 dining table (Øresund series), Model 2256 / 2268 lounge set, Model 3171 bench, BM57 sideboard, Model 62 chair, 2-person sofa, Model 5272 table, Model 2227 armchair, BM70 dining table, Model 2333 sofa, Model 2331 lounge chair, Nr. 78 chair, Nr. 73 chair, TV chair, Tivoli chair, model 3140, Cone Chair K1, Kræmmerhusbord, Hjertestolen, Panton Chair, Flower Pot, VP-Globe, Panthella lamp, Pantonova, System 1-2-3, VP Europa, Phantom, Stokke tables, and more.
Designer
Kaare Klint, Mogens Koch, Hans J. Wegner, Børge Mogensen, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Poul Henningsen, Poul Kjærholm, Verner Panton, Grete Jalk, A. Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Lassen, Poul Hundevad, Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen, Ole Wanscher, Søren Willadsen
Manufacturer
Fritz Hansen, Louis Poulsen, Søborg Møbelfabrik, Rud. Rasmussen, Niels Vodder, France & Søn / France & Daverkosen, Bovirke, Fredericia Furniture, E. Kold Christensen, Onecollection, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, P. Jeppesen, Søren Willadsen, Hansen & Sørensen, Niels Roth Andersen, Kaj Bojesen, Unika Væv, Thorald Madsen, PP Møbler, Thorsen Møbler, Kjærholm Production, Faarup Møbelfabrik, Kitani, bo-ex, FDB Møbler, Erhard Rasmussen, P. Lauritzen, J.L. Møllers Møbelfabrik, Søren Jørgensens Møbelfabrik, D-job, Plus-Linje, Vitra, Herman Miller, Unique, Verpan, Innovation, Nissen Langå, IQ Designs, V.A. Heffding, Poul Henningsen A/S, A.R. Klingenberg & Søn, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, R. Wengler, J.V. Holding, A. Michelsen, Georg Jensen, Stelton, Rosendahl
Review
“DEN STORE DANSKE MØBEL GUIDE” is an essential resource for enthusiasts and collectors of Danish furniture. Focusing on post-war modern classics, the book presents an abundance of information that goes far beyond visual appreciation. It serves as a practical guide, offering detailed data—names, manufacturers, production years, materials, and indicative price ranges—for each model, making it an invaluable companion for anyone navigating the secondary market.
The contextual commentary enriches this data with stories about design origins, exhibitions, rarity, and the collaborative traditions that shaped Danish modernism. The guide explains how cabinetmakers and architects worked hand in hand, how functionalist ideals influenced design, and how Danish furniture achieved global recognition. Anecdotes such as pieces created for the SAS Royal Hotel or rare, limited-production models provide further depth and historical significance.
Visually inspiring yet deeply informative, the guide appeals both to newcomers seeking an introduction to Danish classics and to seasoned collectors wanting to refine their knowledge. It is a book that rewards careful study and invites continual reference—an indispensable volume for anyone passionate about Danish design.