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.
c. 1956 Rare Handcrafted Brazilian Rosewood Bar Cabinet by Borge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen, P. Lauritsen & Son 1
Located in Oakland, CA
Exquisite Scandinavian rosewood bar cabinet designed by Børge Mogensen and handcrafted by master cabinetmakers P. Lauritsen & Søn, Denmark c 1956. This rare, handcrafted cabinet show...
Glass, Mirror, Rosewood
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Borge Mogensen Danish modern Beech Teak Flip Top bar cart Table 149
By Børge Mogensen, Søborg Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Borge Mogensen Danish modern Beech and Teak Flip Top bar cart Table by Søborg Møbelfabrik. Model #149 with two drawers marked under drawer. Made in Denmark. Good Vintage ...
Brass
$8,500
H 59 in W 40 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Bar Cabinet in Rosewood with Mirrored & Glass Interior, Brazil 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Designed and produced in Brazil in the 1960s by an unknown maker, this exceptional bar cabinet is a refined expression of Brazilian mid-century modernism, distinguished by its confid...
Brass
$975
H 27 in W 31.5 in D 20 in
Danish Teak Mid Century Bar Cart or Drinks Trolley in the Style of Dane Decor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Expertly crafted from high-quality Danish teak, this mid-century bar cart or drinks trolley is the perfect addition to any home. Its sleek design and functional features make it easy...
Teak
$1,595
H 43.25 in W 43.2 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Bar Cart Cocktail Cabinet Dry Bar by Meredew
By Meredew
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Mid Century Modern Vintage cabinet by Meredew is a beautiful piece that can have a variety of uses, perfectly suited for any discerning collector or entertainer. Featuring great...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Bar Cabinet in Rosewood by Kurt Østervig
Located in Karlstad, SE
Enhance your home with the classic charm of Scandinavian mid-century design with this breathtaking bar by Kurt Østervig for KP Møbler, Denmark. The rosewood exterior boasts beautiful...
Brass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 78.75 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Dry Bar Sideboard Credenza c 1950/60's
By Hans J. Wegner, France & Daverkosen
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Mid Century Danish Modern sideboard, credenza, dry bar, constructed of teak, teak veneer, brass, rosewood and mirror. The cabinet features an asymmetrical case with slidi...
Mirror, Rosewood, Teak
$1,000
H 32 in W 38 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Dry Bar / Serving Cart by PBJ Mobler. Circa 1970s
By PBJ Møbler
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Dry Bar / Serving Cart by PBJ Mobler, Denmark. Circa 1970s Features a quintessential Scandinavian modern sleek design, a wonderful teak wood g...
Teak
$2,995
H 48.375 in W 39 in D 16.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bar Hutch Vintage Scandinavian Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Emeryville, CA
A beautiful example of Danish Mid-Century Modern craftsmanship, this vintage teak bar/hutch features richly figured teak grain and exceptional functionality. The upper section inclu...
Mirror, Teak
$8,170
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
$10,800
H 41 in W 51 in D 35 in
Brazilian Modern Sculptural Bar in Rosewood with Curved Legs, Brazil, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional example of Brazilian Modern design from the 1950s, this sculptural bar masterfully balances architectural rigor with organic form. Executed in richly figured rosewood,...
Glass, Rosewood
$1,850
H 30.75 in W 39.5 in D 18.25 in
Borge Mogensen Danish Modern Teak Chest or Dresser Mid Century Modern Soborg
By Soborg Mobler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Teak Chest or Dresser, designed by Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobler, Denmark, circa 1960s. This chest is currently being refinished and will look amazing when completed...
Wood, Teak
Very rare Paolo Buffa Bar Cabinet
Located in Milano, MI
Very rare and amazing masterpiece by Paolo Buffa, Bar Cabinet with magnificent details and decoration on the frontal panel, with little mirrors in the interior and with a light to il...
Glass, Mirror, Nutwood
Danish Modern Teak Sliding Door Bar Cart
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a very cool Danish modern teak bar cart. Features two sliding doors on top and bottom with compartments. It is also on wheels. Great for storage, serving drin...
Teak
Sold
H 35.5 in W 54.25 in D 19.75 in
Børge Mogensen for Povl Dinesen Dry Bar Tall Cabinet Teak w Brass Detail
By Børge Mogensen, Povl Dinesen
Located in Hudson, NY
Truly stunning teak case piece in fabulous original condition. Exterior is teak- interior oak. Two doors open to reveal four drawers and two movable or removab...
Brass