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.
Midcentury Modern Desk Organizer by Børge Mogensen, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely desk organizer by Børge Mogensen, made from oak with red, grey and white lacquered drawers. The drawers fit A4 size magazines and documents.
Wood
Oak and Polychrome "Öresund" Desk Organizer by Børge Mogensen, Karl Andersson
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk organizer model A4/3 from the Öresund series designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Sweden by Karl Andersson & Söner during the 1960s. Made from solid oak with three drawers in...
Oak, Lacquer
Oak desk organizer by Borge Mogensen for ILLUMS BOLIGHUS
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Greensboro, NC
Oak desk organizer by Borge Mogensen, circa 1960s. retains its original ILLUMS BOLIGHUS label. Shows minor wear commensurate with age and use. Original paint, mild wear to drawers ...
Oak
MCM Bright Red Modular Desk Organizer by Karl Deyhle of Germany
By Gebrüder Deyhle
Located in San Diego, CA
Sculptural mid-century modern modular desk organizer by Karl Deyhle, produced in Germany circa the 1960s. Executed in vibrant red molded plastic, the set comprises multiple cylindric...
Metal
$5,080
H 63 in W 48.04 in D 10.24 in
Børge Mogensen Scandinavian Midcentury Oak Bookcase, Denmark 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, FDB Møbler
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian midcentury modern design oak bookcase designed by Børge Mogensen in the 1950s and produced by FDB Møbler from 1960s, variable height position of shelves, circa 1960s. ...
Oak
Midcentury "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
Marble Desk Pen Holder Organizer
Located in New York, NY
A substantial marble desk pen/pencil/marker holder organizer, in the modern style, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century. Organizer can hold small pieces of paper, ...
Marble
$4,496
H 81.89 in W 46.86 in D 20.48 in
Børge Mogensen Oak Cabinet, Scandinavian Modern Design, Sweden, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Berlin, DE
Shelving and storage cabinet in oak by Borge Mogensen.
Wood, Oak
Midcentury chest of drawers by Børge Mogensen, Sweden, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Chest of drawers designed by Børge Mogensen and produced by Karl Andersson & Söner in Sweden during the 1960s. Made in oak and teak. Frame and legs in oak with beautiful teak-drawe...
Oak, Teak
$3,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 39.38 in D 31.11 in
Børge Mogensen for Søborg Secretary Desk 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Secretary desk / cabinet, designed in 1950s by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Denmark. Made in fine walnut early 1960s. Front with three drawers and a writing flap. Behind the...
Wood
$2,219
H 25.99 in W 26.97 in D 18.12 in
Børge Mogensen chest of drawers Karl Andersson & Söner Suède 1960
Located in Paris, IDF
Low chest of drawers in teak and oak. Designed by the Danish designer Børge Mogensen for the cabinetmakers Karl Andersson. Made in Sweden in the 1960s. good l condition.
Oak
Chunky sideboard by Børge Mogensen, Sweden, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Sideboard designed by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner in Sweden during the 1960s. Made in oak with sliding doors in teak. Beautiful legs in oak and iron.
Iron
$1,771Sale Price|29% Off
H 7 in W 18 in D 10 in
English Regency Mahogany Travelling Lap Desk Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size English Regency mahogany travelling sloped lap desk/ box with original brass corner mounts, hinges, pin, top mount and retractable handles. Features include a side drawer,...
Brass
$8,164
H 63.78 in W 49.61 in D 17.52 in
Rare Scandinavian modern tall cabinet by Børge Mogensen, Sweden, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Very rare tall cabinet designed by Børge Mogensen in the 1960s. In 1961 Mogensen designed pine furniture to be put in his own summer house. The series later started to be produced b...
Pine
Midcentury "China" Bookcase in Oak by Børge Mogensen, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, C.M. Madsen
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
Pair of Børge Mogensen picture frames in Oregon pine
By Børge Mogensen, FDB Møbler
Located in Valby, 84
Rare and important pair of picture frames in Oregon pine designed by Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) and manufactured by FDB who Børge Mogensen worked for as the main leader from 1942 until 1950. Børge Mogensen used the same picture frames in his own home in Gentofte. The frames are the perfect frames for your favorite prints or posters or whatever else you could think of having in them. Børge Westergaard Mogensen (born 13 April 1914 in Aalborg, died 5 October 1972 in Gentofte) was trained as a cabinetmaker with a journeyman's certificate in 1934. Trained as a furniture architect at the Artisans' School of Furniture 1936-38 and at the Academy of Arts' Furniture School 1938-42. Employed at Kaare Klint's and Mogens Koch's design studios 1938-42. Head of the Fællesforeningen for Danmarks Brugsforeningers (FDB) furniture design studio 1942-50. Teacher at the Art Academy's Furniture School 1945-47. Own design studio from 1950. Participated in Snedkerlauget's annual furniture exhibitions and National Association of Danish Crafts exhibitions in Denmark and abroad. Separate exhibition in London 1961...
Pine
Sold
H 8.47 in W 13.78 in D 10.63 in
Oak and Polychrome "Öresund" Desk Organizer by Børge Mogensen, Karl Andersson
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk organizer model A4/3 from the Öresund series designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Sweden by Karl Andersson & Söner during the 1960s. Made from solid oak with three drawers in...
Oak, Lacquer
Sold
H 8.47 in W 13.98 in D 10.63 in
Børge Mogensen Desk Organizer, Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk organizer designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Sweden by Karl Andersson & Söner during the 1950s. Made from solid light oak with insert boxes in red, white and grey/green pai...
Oak
Sold
H 8.47 in W 13.98 in D 10.63 in
Børge Mogensen Desk Organizer, Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk organizer designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Sweden by Karl Andersson & Söner during the 1950s. Made from solid light oak with insert boxes in red, white and grey/green pai...
Oak
Sold
H 8.5 in W 10.75 in D 14 in
Oak Desk Organizer with Painted Drawers by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Danish-designed, Swedish-made desk organizer by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner from the late 1950s or early 1960s. The small box has a case of solid oak with rounded corne...
Oak
Sold
H 8.5 in W 10.75 in D 14 in
Oak Desk Organizer with Painted Drawers by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Danish-designed, Swedish-made desk organizer by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner from the late 1950s or early 1960s. The small box has a case of solid oak with rounded corne...
Desk Organizer by Børge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely desk organizer by Børge Mogensen, made from oak with yellow, orange and white lacquered drawers. The drawers fit A4 size magazines and documents.
Wood
Børge Mogensen Desk Organizer
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Hägersten, SE
Desk organizer designed by Danish designer Børge Mogensen. Produced in Sweden by Karl Andersson & Soner in the 1960s. Solid oak with three drawers in so...
Oak
Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner Desk Organizer
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A colorful three-drawer desk organizer, by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner, circa 1965. Organizer measures 8.5" H x 10.75"...
Oak
Lacquered Drawer Box by Borge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid oak desk organizer with lacquered wood trays (also available in grey and red) Designed by Borge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Soner
Oak