President Desk by Severin Hansen

Large desk model ‘President’ designed by Erik ‘Severin jr.’ Risager Hansen, produced by Haslev Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark during the 1960’s. This impressive table desk has one small and integrated drawer for pens and pencils on the right hand side. Hansen’s trademark mitred joints and turned, tapered legs are both featured in this iconic teak desk. This piece is in very good condition, with only some darker using marks on the bottom of the legs and a 5mm dent above the drawer. Further hardly any remarks, as shown in the pictures. The drawer runs very smooth.

Severin Hansen Jr., born Erik Severin Risager-Hansen in 1936 in Copenhagen, came from a family deeply rooted in the furniture industry. His grandfather was a skilled cabinetmaker, and his father, Hans Severin Hansen, followed a similar path, initially working as a cabinetmaker before becoming one of Denmark’s most vibrant and successful furniture salesmen. Hans managed a showroom in Copenhagen, selling pieces from well-known brands like Slagelse Møbelværk, as well as the smaller Haslev Møbelsnedkeri, in which he held a stake.

As the youngest of the Hansen brothers, Erik developed a strong passion for furniture design from an early age. After finishing school, he began working at Haslev, where his talent as a designer quickly became evident. His designs, marked by clean lines and geometric forms, embodied a modernist style that was all his own.At just 21, in 1957, Erik became chief designer at Haslev Møbelsnedkeri. Within a year, he debuted a revolutionary collection of tables that solidified his place among Denmark’s leading Modernist designers. This iconic range included the Model 36 desk, a dining table, side tables, and a dressing table, all distinguished by their signature three-way mitred corner joints.


In 1964, Erik further refined his tables, introducing a more intricate rounded three-way corner joint in a new collection.Beyond furniture, Erik had a diverse range of interests, most notably motor racing. His career peaked in 1962 when he competed in the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally. By 1969, Erik became a co-owner of Haslev Møbelsnedkeri. However, the company was sold in 1973, as demand for predominantly wooden furniture waned across Europe and the USA. The new owners shifted the company’s direction, and in 1978, Severin Hansen’s design career came to a close when he left Haslev.In less than two decades, Erik Severin Risager-Hansen had designed several pieces that remain iconic. He left us in 2020 but his design are still very sought after today.