Mogens Koch Seating
Vintage Mogens Koch furniture endures as a sophisticated example of Scandinavian modernism in today’s homes. The award-winning mid-century Danish architect was known for his functional approach to furniture design and for prioritizing comfort and accessibility. While these are traits that we typically attribute to American mid-century modern design — as well as the coveted furnishings that originated in Scandinavian workshops — Koch also drew on older traditions and techniques. His chairs, tables and other items show the influence of the Shaker style and English pieces of the 18th century.
Koch was born in Copenhagen and attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. After graduating, he worked as an assistant to Kaare Klint, an important figure in Danish modernism who was responsible for establishing the furniture design program at Koch’s alma mater. Klint favored historical styles and inspired Koch to view furniture design as an evolutionary process built on the traditions of the past. Over the course of their partnership, in the late 1920s, Koch began creating modular bookcases. Simple yet elegant, vintage Mogens Koch bookcase systems — which were over the years crafted in comely woods such as mahogany, oak and cherrywood — are all about versatility and flexibility, intended to be configured to fit rooms of all shapes and sizes.
In 1932, Rud Rasmussen began to produce Koch bookcase designs. An early Koch seating design that the Danish manufacturer made was the MK Safari chair, an unassuming folding chair based on traditional British campaign furniture. It greatly resembles Klint’s own Safari chair, which was designed in 1933 and was also inspired by military furniture. It became one of Koch’s signature armchairs. The seat inspired a series of folding furniture pieces, including tables that could collapse for storage.
In 1938, Koch was awarded the Eckersberg Medal from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He took an associate professor role at the school in 1940. In 1950, he became a full professor of architecture and continued teaching until 1968. The academy also awarded him their highest honor — the C.F. Hansen Medal — in 1963. Later in life, Koch won the 1990 Danish Design Center's Classic Award and the 1992 Industrial Design Prize.
On 1stDibs, you can find vintage Mogens Koch storage pieces, coffee tables and more.
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Beech
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Rosewood
2010s European Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Oak
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Canvas, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Canvas
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Faux Leather, Rosewood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Fabric, Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Palisander
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Patent Leather, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Mahogany, Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Canvas, Ash
1860s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Antique Mogens Koch Seating
Wood
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Ash
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Teak
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Sheepskin, Elm
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Metal
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Canvas, Beech
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Canvas, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Canvas, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Canvas, Mahogany
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Pine
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Linen, Beech
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Seating
Brass
1930s Danish Vintage Mogens Koch Seating
Leather, Wood