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.
Børge Mogensen Teak Coffee Table, Denmark, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Berlin, DE
Børge Mogensen teak coffee table. Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) was a prominent Danish furniture designer who made significant contributions to the development of Mid-Century Modern des...
Teak
Hans Wegner Ge290 Oak Coffee Table for GETAMA
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare Hans J. Wegner Coffee Table by Getama in light natural oak and brass details. Matches the GE290 Sofa Series.
Brass
Rare Signed Coffee Table by André Simard for Meubles TV, 1950s
By André Simard
Located in Berlin, DE
This table by André Simard is in excellent condition and still has the original label. The top shows a very unique grain.
Ash
Rare Paul McCobb Coffee Table with Leather Top for Calvin US 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare Paul McCobb coffee table with leather top for Calvin Rare Paul McCobb coffee table with leather top for Calvin. Legs show some wear of usage, but in overall good condition.
Brass
Spanish Modernist Pagoda Coffee or Side Table in Oak by Manuel Barbero 1953
By Manuel Barbero
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant Pagoda side table or coffee table in excellent condition. The solid feet are a little like Jean Prouvé style.
Oak
Gallotti & Radice Coffee Table, Italy, 1970s
By Gallotti & Radice
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant glass coffee table by Gallotti & Radice, Italy.
Glass
Børge Mogensen Coffee Table for Fredericia Stolefabrik, Denmark, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Berlin, DE
Børge Mogensen oak coffee table, produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik. Features two I-shaped legs joined by a stabilizing crossbar. Bears the Danish Furnituremakers Control label. Vint...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavain Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen Model 5217
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Solid Oak 5217 Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia.
Oak
No 5269 Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Furniture, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Renens, CH
This solid oak coffee table designed by Børge Mogensen during the 1960s (for Fredericia furniture, Denmark), has been carefully executed with simple lines, honest materials and is ma...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Danish Extension Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Danish Mid-Century Modern extension coffee table designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia in the 1960s. This table is model 5362/574 and cleverly features two drop leaves that all...
Birch, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen, Teak & Oak, Denmark
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in PARIS, FR
Very nice coffee table by Borge Mogensen from the mid-twentieth century, in excellent condition. The top is made of teak and the sledge-type legs are made of oak. Their lighter colou...
Oak, Teak
Børge Mogensen Large Coffee Table in Oak for Fredericia Møbler, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This Model 5261 coffee table was designed by Børge Mogensen in 1956 and produced by Fredericia in Denmark in the 1960s. It is made of golden patinated solid oak and features triangul...
Oak
