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 Serving Cart, Model 5370
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful serving cart by Børge Mogensen, model no. 5370 for Fredericia Furniture, in teak with black metal trays, a separate metal tray and a cutting board are included.
Metal
$1,429
H 25.6 in W 30.32 in D 20.48 in
Rare 1960s Model 5370 Trolley by Borge Mogensen for Frederica Mobelfabrik
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Beerse, VAN
Wooden trolley in solid oak and black formica designed by Borge Mogensen for Frederica Mobelfabrik. You can see from the wheels that this is definitely a 1960s edition. In beautiful...
Formica, Oak
Louis XV Style Kingwood and Gilt Bronze Two-Tier Tea Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Louis XV style kingwood trellis parquetry two-tier tea table with twin handled rectangular trays, the serpentine borders banded in gilt bronze over ta...
Ormolu
$1,161
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 18.51 in
Italian Midcentury Serving Bar Cart or Trolley with Teak Trays, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Classic serving cart, bar or trolley from the Italian mid-century, 1970s of great quality. The base of the trolley is made of black metal with two beautiful teak wood veneer shelves....
Metal
$4,743
H 27.56 in W 59.06 in D 38.19 in
Børge Mogensen Shaker Dining Table, Fredericia, Denmark, Model 6286
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen shaker dining table in solid oiled oak. Made by Fredericia, model 6286.
Oak
$2,400
H 25.5 in W 23.5 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Serving Table with Glass Tops, 1960
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian side, sofa table made of hand crafted brass, in good condition. The serving, tea table is composed with two tier glass tops, supported by four ro...
Metal, Brass
Danish Modern Provincial Serving Cart
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Transitional Modern serving cart extends to 34.25" with drop leaves open. Solid wood top with internal bevel. Gorgeously grained African teak. Professional, skilled furniture...
Teak
$455Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.2 in W 26.78 in D 17.72 in
1970s Scandinavian Teak Serving Cart by Brdr Furbo Spøttrup
By BRDR Furbo
Located in Praha, CZ
Classic Scandinavian serving cart from the 1970s, crafted by Brdr Furbo Spøttrup. Features a teak veneer and solid teak frame with original plastic wheels, offering both elegant form...
Wood, Plastic, Teak
$1,185
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 35.44 in
Børge Mogensen Folding Table by Fritz Hansen, Beech Wood, 1980s
By Børge Mogensen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen coffee table or folding table. Made in beech. Model 4500, made by Fritz Hansen. Designed for Børge Mogensens Tremmesofa. Measures: Width 60/120.
Beech
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of oak. Plates of black laminate. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Oak
$1,024Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.26 in W 33.08 in D 31.5 in
Børge Mogensen Teak Coffee Table Model 5362, Fredericia, 1970s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Praha, CZ
A classic Scandinavian modern coffee table designed by Børge Mogensen and produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark in the 1970s. Model 5362 exemplifies Mogensen’s philosophy of ...
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Removable Sliding Tray Serving Cart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Very Good Original Condition Materials: Teak, Laminate Tops
Laminate, Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Sculpted Teak Expanding Serving Bar Cart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition Dimensions: 28”H x 31”-48”W x 22”D
Formica, Teak
Børge Mogensen Serving Cart, Model 5370
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful serving cart by Børge Mogensen, model no. 5370 for Fredericia Furniture, in teak with black metal trays, a separate metal tray and a cutting board.
Metal
Børge Mogensen Two-Tier Teak Serving Bar Cart
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Borge Mogensen Manufacturer: Soborg Mobler Period/Style: Danish Modern Country: Denmark Date: 1950’s Dimensions: 23″H x 28.5″L x 16″W Materials: Teak Condition: Ex...
Teak