Model 78 Dining Chairs by Niels Otto Møller for J.L. Møller Møbelfabrik, 1950s, Set of 4

Model · 78
Designer · Niels Otto Møller
Manufacturer · J.L. Møller Møbelfabrik
Origin · Denmark
Period · 1950s
Style · Scandinavian Modern / Danish Modern
Materials · Solid rosewood, leather
Colour · Rosewood, black

Object

Model 78 is a chair that reveals itself through its edges. The rosewood rises into slender legs, narrows beneath the seat and curves gently across the back, with every transition shaped until the structure seems almost continuous. Against it, a simple black leather seat gives the wood space to become the protagonist.

There is something unusually rich about this early Møller design. Rosewood brings depth, grain and changing tones to a form that otherwise remains remarkably restrained. Nothing is decorative, yet nothing feels anonymous. Seen together as a set of four, the chairs create a quiet landscape of dark wood around the table — each one slightly different because the material itself could never repeat exactly.

Designer

Niels Otto Møller (1920–1982) trained as a cabinetmaker before establishing his own furniture workshop in 1944. That background never left his work. Even as Danish furniture entered an increasingly industrial world, Møller remained fascinated by the possibilities of traditional joinery, carefully shaped wood and the small details that could make a chair feel effortless.

He spent years refining individual designs rather than producing endless new ones. Curves became softer, joints quieter and proportions increasingly precise. Model 78, introduced in the 1950s, belongs to the beginning of that pursuit — an early expression of the extraordinary refinement that would come to define his furniture.

Manufacturer

J.L. Møller Møbelfabrik was founded by Niels Otto Møller in Denmark in 1944, allowing designer and manufacturer to exist under the same roof. This closeness between drawing and workshop became fundamental to the furniture that followed.

Rather than compromising intricate forms for easier production, the company remained committed to traditional cabinetmaking and unusually demanding standards of finish. Its dining chairs became known around the world, carrying the precision of a Danish workshop into homes far beyond Denmark.

Condition

The solid rosewood frames remain original and are beautifully preserved, revealing the rich grain and natural depth of the timber. The black leather seats remain supple, intact and comfortable. All four chairs are preserved in excellent original vintage condition. As with any authentic vintage pieces, subtle traces of age and previous use may be present, adding to their history and individual character.

Dimensions

Width · 50 cm / 19.7 in
Depth · 49 cm / 19.3 in
Height · 81 cm / 31.9 in
Seat height · 45 cm / 17.7 in

Included

The dining chairs are accompanied by a Back to the Furniture Certificate of Originality, a Back to the Furniture flyer, a Thank You card and a small gift.

Availability

The dining chairs can be ready to ship within 10-15 workdays.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available. Every piece is carefully prepared and packed for international transport. Shipping costs are calculated according to destination at checkout, with tracking provided after dispatch.

Enquiries

For questions about the piece, its condition, shipping, delivery or any other details, please get in touch. Additional information is always available before purchase.

© Back to the Furniture