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.
Erling torvits secretary desk in teak
By Erling Torvits, Klim Møbelfabrik
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Erling Torvits Manufacturer: Klim Møbelfabrik Era: 1961 Materials: Teak Measurements: 41" wide x 18.75" deep x 47.75" tall Condition: In excellent original...
Teak
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
H 38 in W 35.5 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Teak Secretary Desk
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage secretary desk in teak circa 1970's, made in Sweden. This piece is equipped with three deep storage drawers accessorized with sculpted wood handles. Features a roll top door ...
Birch, Teak
$2,450
H 46.75 in W 28.25 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk, Bar Cabinet Made in Denmark 1960s
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Danish modern teak secretary desk or bar cabinet was made in Denmark in the 1960s. The cabinet has refined, compact proportions and is well constructed with ...
Brass
$1,900
H 35 in W 39 in D 19 in
Swedish Mid Century Teak Secretary Desk Dresser by Broderna Gustafsson in Teak
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant beautiful desk secretaire dresser made in Sweden , circa 1960's in teak very clean and nice condition with key drawer and yes we do have the key for the drawer with a pull ou...
Teak
$2,650
H 38.25 in W 35.375 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Swedish Teak Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Swedish modern Egon Ostergaard teak rolltop secretary desk cabinet was made in Sweden circa 1960. The classic Scandinavian modern design has clean, minimalis...
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid-century Danish modern teak secretary desk featuring sleek Scandinavian lines, elevated styling, and versatile storage. This compact piece includes two spacious lower dr...
Teak
$4,200
H 32.5 in W 43 in D 23.5 in
Scarce Teak Secretary Desk attrib. to Torbjorn Afdal / Denmark / Modernist
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Buffalo, NY
Scarce Teak Secretary Desk attrib. to Torbjorn Afdal / Denmark / Modernist . Elegant , architectural design.. Amazing original condition, BRASS DETAILING. 6 Dovetail joinery drawers,...
Brass
$2,650
H 37.625 in W 35.375 in D 18.5 in
Scandinavian Teak Wood Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard, Made in Sweden
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century Scandinavian modern teak wood rolltop secretary desk cabinet by Egon Ostergaard was made in Sweden circa 1960. The classic Swedish modern design has clean, m...
Brass
$3,895
H 42.5 in W 35.25 in D 17.25 in
Kai Kristiansen for Tørring Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak Secretary Desk
By Torring Mobelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Tørring Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak Secretary Desk This secretary desk measures: 35.25 wide x 17.25 deep x 42.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 24...
Teak
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 47 in W 41.5 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Danish Secretary Desk
By Soborg Mobler
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful secretary desk designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbler. It has the label in the back. This secretary desk is made in Denm...
Teak
Danish Modern Peter Løvig Nielsen Flip-Top Teak Desk
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
This flip-top partner desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Dansk in Denmark has been immaculately restored. It has a gorgeous deep hue, old-growth quarter-sawn teak with beautiful flecks ...
Teak
Edward Wormley Dresser in Mahogany and Leather for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
Uncommon Edward Wormley Dresser in Mahogany and Leather for Dunbar. Gorgeous restored vintage dresser with contrasting channelled recessed pulls in contrasting wood species. This pie...
Mahogany
George Nelson 4 drawer Dresser "Basic Cabinet Series" for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by legendary American modernist George Nelson for Herman Miller, this authentic four-drawer dresser from the celebrated Basic Cabinet Series embodies the clean, architectura...
Aluminum
William Hinn Walnut Dresser by The Swedish Furniture Guild
By Swedish Furniture Guild
Located in San Diego, CA
Introducing the rare and stunning William Hinn curved front dresser by The Swedish Furniture Guild for Urban Furniture. This Scandinavian Modern classic has been executed in Black wa...
Walnut
Arne Vodder Rosewood Credenza with Blue & White Drawers, Denmark, 1960
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and striking example of Arne Vodder’s celebrated cabinet designs, this credenza showcases his distinctive sculptural drawer fronts in a highly sought-after rosewood variant. M...
Rosewood
George Nelson 4 drawer Basic Vanity & Dresser for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller as part of his celebrated Basic Cabinet Series, this elegant 4-drawer vanity dresser embodies the clean lines, thoughtful functionality, a...
Walnut
