Unsung hero: Anton Borg

Most MCM aficionados know Arne Vodder's name, but how many are familiar with Anton Borg? He was an architect who went into business with Vodder in 1951. Their successful architectural firm Borg and Vodder Huse designed some 1,100 low-cost houses before the partnership dissolved in the 1970s.

As partners, Borg and Vodder also designed furniture for manufacturers such as Vamo and Slagelse Møbelvaerk, however Vodder's reputation as a furniture designer has overshadowed that of Borg over the years to the extent that few people recognize the name.  Interestingly, however, even though Borg's name was given only a cursory mention on the Vodder website, it was given "top billing" on some of their pieces.

Try as I might, I could not locate a photo of Borg, but his design work and his name should be known, even if his face isn't.

From arnevodder.de

Woven armchair
m2b-design-vintage.fr

Ella dining chair
simplymod.com

Bench
ebay.com - bunyagirl

Desk
lauritz.com

Lounge chair
misc.co.jp

Sofa
forestlondon.com 

Vamo marking
ebay.com - bunyagirl

Slagelse ad
misc.co.jp

In the store: Danish teak credenza

One of the latest additions to our inventory is this lovely Danish teak credenza attributed to Arne Vodder. It has recessed pulls, a fantastic base and sliding doors, which open up to reveal ample shelving. The piece has been completely restored, and, at 70", it's a nice size for most homes.

Danish teak credenza, attributed to Arne Vodder

Front view

Open view

Alternate open view

In the store: Some serious work space

If you're always shuffling papers and moving things around on your desk to make more work space, we have a solution for you! Take a look at this enormous teak executive desk with return by Arne Vodder. It has been completely restored and is a beautiful piece of furniture.

It measures 69"W x 37"D x 28"H (175cm x 94cm x 71cm) with a return that extends from 32" (81 cm) in length to 54" (137 cm). Now all you need is a large enough space to hold a desk this size...and enough of a mess on your current desk to justify a new one.

Arne Vodder executive desk

Alternate view of fully desk with fully extended return

Desk with partially extended return

In the store: Magnificent dining tables

We have three dining tables in the store now that deserve mention. The first is a teak draw leaf table manufactured by the Danish company Mogens Kold. With the leaves extended, it is 90" (229 cm) long. Closed it is 51" (130 cm) long. It has been completely restored and has a wonderfully thin profile.

Mogens Kold table with leaves extended

Mogens Kold table in closed position

The second is this Arne Vodder piece, which extends from 59" (150 cm) to 92" (234 cm) and also has a beautiful rounded edge and thin profile. If you read the post about the Arne Vodder chairs, you saw this table, but this gives you a much better look at it. This table has also been expertly restored.

Arne Vodder table with leaves

Arne Vodder table without leaves

And for an about-face in style and country of origin, we have this American designed piece by Florence Knoll. It has the original base with a 60" (152 cm) custom ebonized oak top.

Florence Knoll table

Top view of Florence Knoll table

Which one would suit your lifestyle and your sense of style best?

Arne Vodder

Arne Vodder (1926-2009) was a Danish architect and furniture designer. He was trained by Finn Juhl, who later became a friend and a business partner.

In 1951 Vodder opened a studio with Anton Borg. They designed 1100 low-cost homes, which were a great success. He started designing furniture for Fritz Hansen, France & Son and Sibast. His work with those companies brought him worldwide recognition and success.

His designs were generally made of rosewood or teak and sometimes included colorful panels. Today he is most appreciated for his rosewood sideboards, which usually command high prices. They are characterized by drawer fronts designed so pulls are not necessary.

From bemodern.com and bobedre.dk

Tall rosewood sideboard
lookmodern.com

Rosewood sideboard
1stdibs.com

Conference chairs
1stdibs.com

Lounge chair
1stdibs.com

Credenza with colored accents
kamada-japan.com

Teak armchairs
scandinavianmod.com

In the store: Great ladies in old dresses

The old saying "Clothes make the man" may be true, but an out-of-style dress can't hide the elegance of a true grande dame.

So it is with each and every one of these lovely chairs by Arne Vodder. Their upholstery is a little dated, but their beauty still shines. That said, these great old gals will soon be getting new duds befitting their station in life.

Arne Vodder dining chairs

Side chair

Side view of side chair

Arm chair

Back view of arm chair

Arne Vodder dining chairs

In the store: Wegner, Vodder, Cadovius and more

Check out the latest additions to the store. We're really proud of this magnificent selection of vintage items, many of which were found in beautiful original condition and some of which have been completely restored.

Rare glass front sideboard by Hans Wegner for Ry Mobler

Teak credenza by Arne Vodder

5-bay Royal System wall unit by Poul Cadovius

Danish rocking chair

24-arm brass Sputnik light

***************

In the next few days, I will announce the next big store giveaway. Last year, my SIL gave away a beautiful gray wool Womb style chair and an authentic Noguchi Cyclone chair. This giveaway promises to be even better.

The winner will be chosen from people who have liked our Facebook page, with an extra chance to win if you're a Google follower of this blog.

It's easy to be a site member. In the Google Followers box to the right of this post, click on Join this site. Once you have set up a Google account, click Follow publicly, and you're done. If you're not already a member, now might be a good time to sign up. Then stay tuned for more details about the giveaway.

Vanishing art

Most of us are so accustomed to firing off a quick email from the computer at our utilitarian desks that we forget people in the mid-Twentieth century sat at exquisitely crafted pieces of furniture and composed letters by hand with elegant instruments called fountain pens.

I hope these beautiful desks, along with a glimpse of an extremely rare Parker T-1, will inspire you to pick up a pen and write a note to someone you love.

Images from 1stdibs.com unless otherwise noted

Extremely rare titanium Parker T-1
fastcompany.com

Arne Vodder

Bullet-shaped Danish teak, designer unknown

Edward Wormley

George Nakashima

Hans Wegner

Ib Kofod-Larsen

Jens Risom

Kidney-shaped Danish with tambour doors, designer unknown

Milo Baughman

Nanna Ditzel

T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

Vladimir Kagan

Walnut desk with tambour doors, designer unknown