Among the great mid-20th century Danish furniture designers, Børge Mogensen distinguished himself with his faith to traditional values of craftsmanship and honesty of materials.
While peers such as Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl and Arne Jacobsen designed some of the most striking and now iconic furnishings of the era, Mogensen focused on making chairs, sofas and other pieces that were simple, durable and comfortable — and in the long run perhaps more useful and better loved.
Mogensen studied under and later worked for Kaare Klint, a master cabinetmaker whose chief tenets were quality of construction and simplicity of line. Klint was a classicist, who believed that furniture forms should evolve from those of historical models. So, too, in his way was Mogensen, as two of his best-known earlier pieces attest.
His 1945 Spokeback sofa, with hinged arms that can be lowered to facilitate lounging, is a reinterpretation of the venerable Knole settee. With the oval silhouette of its plywood backrest and waterdrop-shaped cutouts, Mogensen’s Shell chair, designed in 1949, can be seen as a novel take on early 19th-century Empire side chairs.
Yet Mogensen shared the aesthetical sensibilities of his most forward-looking colleagues. His cabinets deploy the same spare geometries and lushly figured woods as those of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his disciple Florence Knoll, the chief difference being that Mies and Knoll used chrome steel for the frames and legs of their pieces. The brawny oak frames and slung leather seats and backrests of Mogensen’s Hunting chair (1950) and Spanish chair (1958) display the same hefty construction and appreciation of natural materials seen in the work of Charlotte Perriand and Sergio Rodrigues.
Mogensen designed for function more than sculptural effect. While his chairs may not be the first pieces in a décor to draw the eye, they are often the first to draw in those looking for a comfortable seat.
Find vintage Børge Mogensen dining tables, bookcases and other Scandinavian modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Helge Sibast & Børge Rammeskov 8 Dining Chairs in Rosewood and Fabric, 1962
By Børge Rammeskov, Helge Sibast
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Rosewood by Helge Sibast & Børge Rammeskov, 1962 Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and reupholstered in Gabriel Savak plain (by Tove Kindt Larsen)...
Rosewood, Fabric
Kurt Østervig Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Rosewood and Leather, Denmark 1960s
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 6 Dining Chairs and 2 Armchairs in Rosewood with Black Leather by Kurt Østervig, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood and black leather Style: Mid century, Scand...
Rosewood, Leather
Set of 6 Dining Chairs in Leather and Rosewood by Knud Færch, 1950s
By Knud Faerch
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This very rare set of six “Cowhorn” dining chairs, model 215, was designed by Knud Færch and produced by Slagelse Møbelfabrik in Denmark during the 1950s. The chairs are constructed ...
Leather, Rosewood
Rare Set of Ten Dining Chairs in Leather and Rosewood by Illum Wikkelsø, 1950s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare set of ten dining chairs, designed by Illum Wikkelsø and produced by Brdr. Tromborg & Vestervig Eriksen in Denmark during the 1950s, exemplifies the sculptural elegance...
Leather, Rosewood
Set of 6 Dining Chairs and 2 Armchairs in Teak with Steel by Børge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 6 Dining Chairs and 2 Armchairs in Teak with Steel by Børge Mogensen, 1950s Additional Information: Material: Teak and steel Style: midcentury, Scandinavia Produced by S...
Steel
Set of 8 Danish Dining Chairs in Rosewood and Leather, 1960s
By Dyrlund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of eight dining chairs produced by Dyrlund in Denmark. These chairs are crafted from luxurious rosewood, showcasing rich wood grain and a warm hue. The seats and high backre...
Leather, Rosewood
Set of Six Børge Mogensen Dining Chairs in Teak & Niger Leather, 1939, Denmark
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
A very rare and important set of six teakwood dining chairs designed by Børge Mogensen and made by cabinetmaker Ove Lander, Denmark in 1939. Sea...
Leather, Teak
1970s Borge Mogensen Set of Six Model 3241 Dining Chairs in Oak
By Børge Mogensen, Frederecia Furniture
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of six model 3241 dining chairs in oak designed in 1968 by Børge Mogensen for Frederecia Stolefabrik. The chairs and upholstery are in very good condition.
Oak
Early set of "People's chairs" by Børge Mogensen, Beech & Mahogany, 1940s
By Børge Mogensen, FDB Møbler
Located in Odense, DK
Very rare first edition set of Børge Mogensen´s iconic "People's chair" made in the 1940s for the retailer FDB, where Mogensen was head of design. The chairs are made from beech and ...
Papercord, Beech, Mahogany
Jacob Kjaer set of 6 dining chairs Oak and original Niger leather, 1930's
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Uccle, BE
A set of 6 dining chairs designed by Jacob Kjaer and produced by cabinet maker Worts Mobelsnedkeri. Each frame is constructed in a beautiful Mahogany with original patinated Niger leather seat. Jacob Kjær (1896–1957) was a Danish furniture designer and cabinetmaker. Kjær received training as a cabinetmaker in the workshop of his father who was also a furniture maker. After completing his training in Berlin and Paris, he exhibited works at the Barcelona World Exhibition in 1929. Characterized by simplicity, his designs drew on the finest materials which, unusually for his day, he crafted himself. Inspired by classical English Style, his clean, graceful designs are modern in interpretation. He did much to enhance the reputation of the Danish furniture industry as president of the Cabinetmakers Guild from 1952 to 1957 and of the Arts and Crafts Committee for Exports from 1944 to 1957. One of his most notable works is the FN Chair...
Leather, Oak
Set of 6 Arne Hovmand Olsen Teak Dining Side Chairs
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Pasadena, TX
These chairs are made of teak and have leather wrapped seats. The backs have 6 spindles. They were designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen.
Leather, Teak
Set of 10 Oak Dining Chairs by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of four Model 537 oresund chairs was designed by Borge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner. It has been in production since 1955. These chairs s...
Brass
