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.
$1,788Sale Price|20% Off
H 55.52 in W 52.76 in D 10.24 in
Børge Mogensen Oak Bookcase, Mid-Century Modern, Denmark, 1955
By Børge Mogensen
Located in PARIS, FR
Oak bookcase by Borge Mogensen for Karl Anderson & Soner. This oak bookcase was created in 1955 as part of the Oresund series by Karl Anderson & Soner in collaboration with B...
Oak
$1,929
H 55.91 in W 53.55 in D 10.24 in
Danish Design Oak Bookcase by Borge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Soner, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Midcentury Modern : Danish Design A Bookcase by Børge Mogensen, top designer from the Danish mid-century modern period. Borge Mogensen : Oak Bookcase This bookcase has 6 height-adj...
Oak
Børge Mogensen Medium Teak Bookcase
By Børge Mogensen
Located in London, GB
A bastion of the Danish Modern design movement, to us, Børge Mogensen embodies integrity. His functional and diplomatic approach to furniture design paved the way for Danish design c...
Oak, Teak
Borge Mogensen Large Bookcase
By Børge Mogensen
Located in London, GB
A bastion of the Danish Modern design movement, to us, Børge Mogensen embodies integrity. His functional and diplomatic approach to furniture design paved the way for Danish design c...
Oak, Teak
1960s, Teak Bookcase By Carl Axel Acking for Bodafors, Sweden
By Bodafors, Carl-Axel Acking
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Teak Bookcase with Drawers by Carl Axel Acking for Bodafors (Sweden, 1950s–60s) A beautifully proportioned teak bookcase designed by renowned Swedish architect and designer Carl Axel...
Brass
$3,300
H 41.54 in W 59.06 in D 10.04 in
Erling Torvits Veneered Wood Bookcase for Klim Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1960s
By Erling Torvits, Klim Møbelfabrik
Located in Utrecht, NL
Erling Torvits is one of those Danish mid-century designers of whom not much is known except for the material and aesthetic quality of his works. His best known designs are from the ...
Wood
$1,530
H 34.26 in W 48.04 in D 10.24 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Bookcase by Børge Mogensen for FDB Møbler
By Børge Mogensen, FDB Møbler
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed teak bookcase designed by Børge Mogensen in the 1950s and produced by FDB Møbler in Denmark in the 1950-60's. It is an incredibly perfect condition. The position of the shelve...
Teak
Pair of Bookcases in Teak by Børge Mogensen, 1950's
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Bookcases in Teak by Børge Mogensen, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Teak Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by C. M. Madsen in Denmark Dimensions (W x D x H...
Teak
$3,708Sale Price|25% Off
H 61.03 in W 54.53 in D 12.01 in
Gunni Omann Scandinavian Dark Wood bookcase for Jun Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1960s
By Omann Jun Møbelfabrik, Gunni Omann
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian midcentury modern design rosewood bookcase designed by Gunni Omann and produced by Omann Jun Møbelfabrik in the 1960s, six shelves adjustable in height as desired, produ...
Wood
$4,120
H 53.15 in W 53.15 in D 13.78 in
Danish teak bookcase/closed shelving unit by Børge Mogensen/Karl Andersson 1960.
By Børge Mogensen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Elegant Scandinavian high sideboard. Two large sliding doors open to reveal eight shelves. The original plinth base (which is available) has been replaced by a more contemporary, air...
Teak
Mid-Century "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, 1960s
By C.M. Madsen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Lejre, DK
Low China bookcase in oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition. More shelves available.
Oak
Midcentury "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark
By Børge Mogensen, C.M. Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
China bookcase in oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen Cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Oak
Midcentury "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark
By Børge Mogensen, C.M. Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
China bookcase in oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen Cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Oak
Mid-Century "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark
By Børge Mogensen, C.M. Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
China bookcase in oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Oak
Tall Midcentury "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, C.M. Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
"China" bookcase in patinated oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1954, this piece is made by CM Madsen Cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition. More shelves...
Oak
Mid-Century "China" Bookcase in Teak & Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark
By C.M. Madsen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Lejre, DK
China bookcase in teak and oak. Designed by MAA. Børge Mogensen in 1958, this piece is made by CM Madsen Cabinetmakers Denmark in the 1960s. Great original condition.
Oak, Teak
