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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Dining Chair in Teak
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Søborg Møbelfabrik
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, dining chair, model '316', teak, papercord, Denmark, 1950s. This organic looking chair is made with an outstanding attent...
Papercord, Teak
Børge Mogensen for Fredericia 'Spanish' Dining Chair in Oak
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, dining chair, oak, leather, brass, Denmark, design 1964 This dining chair reminds of the classical foldable 'director-chairs', yet this de...
Brass
Børge Morgensen for Fredericia Armchairs in Solid Oak and Beige Wool
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Børge Morgensen for A/S Fredericia Stolefabrik, armchairs model 'BM 73', oak, wool, Denmark, 1960 Well-proportioned chairs designed by the Danish designer Børge...
Wool, Oak
Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert ‘Louisiana’ Dining Chair in Oak and Suede
By Vilhelm Wohlert, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert for P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, ‘Louisiana’ dining chair, oak, suede, Denmark, 1958. The ‘Louisiana’ chair was initially created for the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark, by the Danish architects Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert. Inside the modern building complex the chairs were supposed to serve as functional chairs for events. Therefore, Bo and Wohlert had a comfortable chair in mind that is easily stackable. The round seat with off-white suede upholstery and a curved backrest provide comfort. Jørgen Bo (1919-1999) first studied at the School of Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts until 1941 and in 1960 was appointed as a professor. Together with Vilhelm Wohlert, Jørgen Bo designed...
Suede, Oak
Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Pair of Armchairs in Oak and Leather
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, pair of armchairs model 3238, oak, leather, Denmark, 1964 This pair of armchairs reminds of the classical foldable 'director-chairs', yet ...
Leather, Oak
Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler Armchair in Teak and Leather
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler, armchair, model '430,' teak and leather, Denmark, 1960s. This dining chair is designed by the Danish designer Arne Vodder. This modest and elegant ch...
Leather, Teak
BM61 Chair, Lacquered Oak/Natural Cane Wicker, by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate
The BM61 chair was designed by Børge Mogensen in 1958, based on a minimal, yet extremely robust construction. The structured design is, however, enriched w...
Wicker, Cane, Oak
BM 62 Børge Mogensen 62 Armchair in Oak and Woven Cane Wicker
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Berkeley, CA
Slender yet solid, simple yet striking, the BM62 armchair brings us back to nature in a welcome return to simple shapes that capture the essence of a concept. Ex...
Cane, Oak
Bm 61 Børge Mogensen 61 Dining Chair
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Berkeley, CA
Slender yet solid, simple yet striking, the BM61 Chair and BM62 Armchair bring us back to nature in a welcome return to simple shapes that capture the essen...
Oak
Pair of Early Børge Mogensen BM-62 Armchairs in Oak & Cane by Fredericia, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia Stolefabrik
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of armchairs / dining chairs in oak and woven cane by Børge Mogensen model "BM-62" produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik, Denmark 1960s. In good vintage and matching condition...
Cane, Oak
Rare 'BM61' Side Chair in Oak by Børge Mogensen for Lauritsen & Søn, 1957
By Børge Mogensen, P. Lauritsen & Son 1
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A very rare and beautiful ‘BM61’ chair designed by Børge Mogensen in 1957. Made of solid oak with nice details such as the visible joints and sledge feet. The original cane is in goo...
Cane, Oak
Borge Mogensen J39 Dining Chair, Soaped Oak
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Berkeley, CA
J39, designed by Børge Mogensen in 1947. This versatile masterpiece is crafted from solid wood and features a handwoven seat in natural paper cord.
Oak
Gunnel Nyman was known as a glass artist, but this piece is a striking example of her early training in furniture design.
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
