Frits Henningsen

Frits Henningsen (1889–1965) was an important Danish cabinetmaker and designer of the early twentieth century. He belonged to the generation of cabinetmakers that preceded the boom of Scandinavian Modernism and embodied values that were, in some respects, antithetical to it: his creations still looked to historical styles and were aimed not at the masses but at an elite clientele, often made in rare and precious woods such as rosewood or mahogany. He also favored curved, sinuous forms, in contrast to the younger designers who embraced a more linear style better suited to mass production. Unlike many fellow cabinetmakers, he personally designed his pieces, even though he cannot be considered a designer in the modern sense of the term. The owner of a workshop and shop in central Copenhagen, he was one of the driving forces behind the Danish Cabinetmakers’ Guild and made an important contribution to organizing the first Københavns Snedkerlaugs Møbeludstilling (the major cabinetmakers’ exhibitions that played a key role in the growth and renown of the field). Exemplary instances of fine craftsmanship that remain relevant today, Frits Henningsen’s designs are now reissued by the brand Carl Hansen & Søn.