1940s Frits Henningsen Solid Oak Coffee with Cabriole Legs

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This 1950s oak table made by Frits Henningsen in the 1940s-50s is a perfect example Frits Henningsen's commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Whereas most designers and cabinetmakers from the 1500s until today have used veneers to make furniture, Frits Henningsen, like his contemporary Kaare Klint, believed that solid wood was a higher quality material.  

The benefits of using veneers are, firstly, that the finished furniture is less likely to suffer adverse movement of the wood that affects the shape and, secondly, veneers offer an opportunity to create shapes and patterns with inlays and instarsia. The disadvantage is that veneer is difficult or impossible to repair if affected by liquid and moisture, whereas solid wood can be resurfaced and reshaped repeatedly over time. As such, solid wood furniture is more likely to last centuries, whereas veneered furniture starts fraying at the edges after 100 years and, after 200+ years, veneered furniture is very much affected in its appearance and functionality. 

This has lovely carved detailing only possible in solid wood and also uses a solid oak top. The time required to cure, select and join solid oak in a way that mitigates the risk of adverse movement is part of Frits Henningsen's craft. After this first step, the ability to carve, shape and finish a table such as this relies on craftmanship and skill that few cabinetmakers bother with because it is uneconomic. 

Frits Henningsen designed all the furniture that his workshop made because he decided that he would rather rely on classical styles such as cabriole legs and carvings than spend time and money on architects and designers, thereby freeing up time and money for wood and craftsmanship. 

Height: 21.26 in (54 cm)

Width: 52.37 in (133 cm)

Depth: 21.66 in (55 cm)