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, 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
$1,419
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
$9,135 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Black Pen Shell with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Teak Rolling Bar Cart with Secret Compartment
Located in New York, NY
Crafted of solid teak, with original castors in good working condition, the upper tray is removable for serving, while the fixed lower shelf is designed to hold bottles, decanters an...
Teak
$9,135 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Kifu Paris bar trolley in cream...
Brass
Wonderful Drexel Rolling Bar Cart Mid-Century Modern, circa 1957
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful folding rolling bar cart by Drexel, designed by John van Koert circa 1957. This piece is made of Italian walnut and retains its original finish. I love the removable solid...
Walnut
$2,180
H 25.6 in W 23.23 in D 23.23 in
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Cubic Bar Cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s.
By Lorenzo Burchiellaro
Located in Almelo, NL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro cubic bar cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s. Cubic-shaped bar cart with wheels with a frame realized in metal which presents a circular void on each side, a...
Metal
$9,135 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Coal Black Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$4,475
H 29.93 in W 27.56 in D 15.75 in
1960s Bar Cart, MB Italia , Tray Double Face Mahogany Attributed to Ico Parisi
By Ico Parisi
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Elegant exceptional 1960s trolley bar cart, by MB Italia, in gilt brass encapsulated with black resin, with two removable trays in golden metal and double fa...
Metal
19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table
Located in Water Mill, NY
19th century English mahogany butlers tray table on a bar height stand with brass hinges.
Brass
Pair of Everlast Polished Aluminum Folding Bar Tray Tables
By Everlast Metal Products Corporation
Located in Westport, CT
Pair Hand wrought Signed Everlast co ,Polished Aluminum Bar Tray folding tables,with acorn leaf engraving circa 1940 Measurements to tray height 30" top of ball trim 34"
Aluminum
$9,135 / item
H 31.11 in W 13 in D 29.93 in
Bar Trolley in Black Pen Shell with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$2,001
H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 17.33 in
Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Rome, IT
Serving bar cart in wood and brass details composed of two removable glass trays by the Italian designer Cesare Lacca, 1950s.
Metal, Brass
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of mahogany. Plates of black laminate. With cutting board etc. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Mahogany
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
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
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of mahogany. Plates of black laminate. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Mahogany
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of oak. Plates of black laminate. With tray. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Oak
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of oak. Plates of black laminate. With tray. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Oak
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
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
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of mahogany. Plates of black laminate. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Mahogany
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of mahogany. Plates of black laminate. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Mahogany
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of mahogany. Plates of black laminate. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Mahogany
Sold
H 24.81 in W 32.68 in D 27.56 in
Trolley in Mahogany of Designed by Børge Mogensen from the 1960s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Lejre, DK
Trolley in mahogany of designed by Børge Mogensen from the 1960s. The top plate can be extended.
Mahogany
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
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
Børge Mogensen, Tray Table or Cart
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen tray table with frame of mahogany. Plates of black laminate. Mounted on wheels. Model 5370, made by Fredericia Furniture.
Mahogany