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.
Mid Century Danish Teak Dresser Vanity Desk Combo by Borge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This Danish modern dresser–vanity features classic mid-century lines in warm teak with tapered legs and recessed pulls. The center drop-front opens to create a vanity or desk surface...
Teak
Mid century danish modern teak desk with 3 drawers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century danish modern teak desk with 3 drawers And lower brace. This danish desk has (2) upper drawers and (1) lower deep file drawer. The top has a beautiful teak wood grain wit...
Oak, Teak
$1,850
H 30.75 in W 39.5 in D 18.25 in
Borge Mogensen Danish Modern Teak Chest or Dresser Mid Century Soborg Mobler #3
By Børge Mogensen, Soborg Mobler
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
$2,900 / set
H 48 in W 27.5 in D 18.25 in
Vintage Mid Century Art Deco Vanity or Desk with Mirror in Pine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A funky art deco vanity with mirror. Solid pine with period deco hardware. Mirror has some small dark spot from age. All in all very good condition. Price includes both vanity & mirr...
Mirror, Pine
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 59 in D 29 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Desk by G.V. Møbler, 1960s
By G.V. Møbler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern G.V. Møbler teak desk boasts a striking floating top with three dovetail drawers on the left and a deep file drawer on the r...
Birch, Teak
Teak desk by Børge Mogensen for P. Lauritsen & Søn
By Børge Mogensen, P. Lauritsen & Son 1
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A handsome and well-crafted teak double pedestal desk designed by Børge Mogensen for P. Lauritsen & Søn, circa 1950s. With its warm teak surfaces and clean architectural lines, t...
Brass
Dyrlund Mid Century Danish Teak Desk
By Dyrlund
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dyrlund Mid Century Danish Teak Desk This desk measures: 61 wide x 29.25 deep x 27.75 high, with a chair clearance of 26.75 inches Good Vintage Condition - Minor Areas of Wear on T...
Teak
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 57 in W 40 in D 18 in
Mid Century Danish Modern 7 Drawer Teak Tall dresser by Borge Mogensen
By Soborg Mobler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobler of Denmark Tall 7 drawer Dresser. Beautiful teak dresser - with 7 drawers with carved teak handles. Good vintage condition ...
Teak
Italian Art Deco White Parchment Vanity
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Art Deco white parchment diminutive triangular form lady's vanity /dressing table with a drawer centered by 2 side drawers and 2 doors. Parchment is separating from the piece
Wood, Parchment Paper
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous vintage modern desk features a unique raised top along the back and sculpted feet. Sleek design with unusual recessed pulls and a wonderful vintage teak finish. This ca...
Teak
A Regency Style Carved Mahogany Beau Brummel Gentlemans Vanity Desk
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A Regency style carved mahogany Beau Brummel gentleman's dressing table, 20th century, the hinged top enclosing nine lidded compartments about a folding m...
Leather, Mahogany
Bent Silberg Mobler Mid Century Danish Teak Desk
By Bent Silberg Mobler
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bent Silberg Mobler mid century Danish teak desk The desk measures: 51.25 wide x 23.75 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 26 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in...
Teak
$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
Original Bureau / Vanity in teak by Børge Mogensen, Denmark.
By Børge Mogensen
Located in København K, DK
Hidden bureau / drawer with a fold up mirror, in teak with oak legs. Designed in the 1950s by Børge Mogensen and manufactured by Søborg Møbler, Denmark. Depth when open 84 cm
Oak, Teak
Teak Vanity Desk Dresser by Borge Mogensen for Soborg Denmark
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well designed teak wood vanity dresser with a top drawer that has a pull out and flip up mirror. The front of the piece folds down revealing storage slots to the left and thre...
Teak
Sold
H 34.26 in W 39.38 in D 18.51 in
Chest of Drawers with Built in Vanity Dresser by Børge Mogensen, Teak, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Hägersten, SE
Chest of drawers with built in vanity mirror and flip down table surface designed by Børge Mogensen. Produced in Denmark by Søborg during the 1950s. Ma...
Brass
Børge Mogensen Teak and Beech Vanity Dresser
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Børge Mogensen teak and beech vanity or dresser, circa late 1950s. This all original example has solid beech and teak legs and four drawers. The top drawer has brass hinges that when...
Beech, Teak