A beautiful FD451 articulated two seater sofa bed, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn in Denmark around the 1960s.
One interesting feature of this sofa is its articulated armrests, which can be adjusted using a metal button on the backrest. This allows the user to customise the sofa to their preferred seating position, making it ideal for lounging, reading, or sleeping. The sofa bed can easily transform into a daybed by lowering the backrest, providing a comfortable place for guests to sleep. When fully extended, the sofa measures 220 cm in width.
The frame is made of solid teak and cane, showcasing high-end craftsmanship. Teak wood was a popular choice in Denmark for furniture designers during the mid-century modern era due to its durability, beauty, and resistance to moisture. The cane detailing adds a touch of elegance and texture to the design.
The seat and back cushions are covered in their original grey woollen fabric and are in very good vintage condition with just some light signs due to age and use.
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About the designers:
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen were Danish furniture designers who worked together in the mid-20th century. They are best known for their contributions to the Danish Modern movement, which emphasized simplicity, functionality, and the use of natural materials.
Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen's designs were characterized by their clean lines, organic shapes, and attention to detail. They worked with a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and cane, and their furniture often featured innovative and practical features.
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About the cabinetmaker:
France & Søn was a Danish furniture company that played a significant role in the mid-century modern furniture movement. The company was originally founded in 1911 by Svend France and Sigurd Daverkosen under the name France & Daverkosen. It produced furniture in the traditional Danish style until the mid-1950s when it began to focus on modern designs.
In the mid-1950s, France & Daverkosen hired a young Danish architect named Finn Juhl to design a series of furniture pieces. Juhl's designs were a huge success, and he went on to design many more pieces for the company. In 1957, France & Daverkosen merged with another Danish furniture company, FDB Møbler, and the new company was renamed France & Søn.
Under the France & Søn name, the company continued to produce modern furniture designs by a range of well-known designers, including Juhl, Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, and Arne Vodder. France & Søn became known for its high-quality craftsmanship and innovative use of materials, such as incorporating cane into furniture designs.
France & Søn enjoyed great success throughout the 1950s and 60s, but as tastes changed in the 1970s, the company began to struggle. It was eventually sold to a Swedish company in the 1980s and ceased production in the 1990s.
Despite its relatively short lifespan, France & Søn made a significant impact on the world of furniture design and continues to be celebrated for its contributions to the mid-century modern movement. Its furniture pieces remain highly coveted by collectors and design enthusiasts alike.
