John Van Koert Furniture

Canadian, American, 1912-1998

John Van Koert was integral to the rise in popularity of Scandinavian modern furniture during the mid-20th century all over the United States. The Canadian-born designer’s spare walnut coffee tables and elegant armchairs, for example — particularly those that he created for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture — reflected the influence of the era’s alluring Danish design and were prominently featured in the modern interiors of postwar American homes.

Originally from Manitoba, Van Koert moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend the University of Wisconsin. There he studied sculpture and trained in metalwork. Van Koert later taught design in the school’s art department. After World War II, Van Koert settled in New York City. He created jewelry for Harry Winston before shifting his focus to flatware and furniture design.

Van Koert found quick success with his flatware designs for Towle Silversmiths. His Contour set was part of the “Knife, Fork and Spoon” exhibition organized by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in the early 1950s. In 1954, he served as design director for the “Design in Scandinavia” exhibition, which toured Canada as well as the United States and featured hundreds of designs created in Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden by the likes of Kaj Franck, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finn Juhl and others.

Van Koert kept busy over the years. Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism during the postwar era with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile, Casa Del Sol and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by Van Koert.

In the early 1960s, Van Koert created a contemporary line for Richardson-Nemschoff, a furniture manufacturer based in the designer’s former stomping grounds of Wisconsin. During the early 1970s, he partnered with Sarreid Ltd., a brand that got its start sourcing materials from Spain and Italy and bringing the exceptional talents of European wood carvers, sculptors and painters to the forefront of American home decor.

On 1stDibs, find vintage John Van Koert seating, tables and storage pieces.

Creator: John Van Koert

Dealer: 2220 Antiques

A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk

By Drexel, John Van Koert

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk and matching chair.

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

A John Von Koert for Drexel mid century modern walnut tambour Profile Desk

American Mid-Century Desk Deisgned by John Van Koert Fro Drexel, circa 1960

By John Van Koert

Located in Philadelphia, PA

An American mid-century walnut desk with side extension designed by John Van Koert fro Drexel, circa 1960.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Wood

American Mid-Century Desk Deisgned by John Van Koert Fro Drexel, circa 1960

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Mahogany

Rare Five-Piece Drexel Counterpoint Modular Desk Dresser Mid-Century Modern

H 30 in W 82 in D 40 in

John Van Koert for Drexel Coffee Table, 1950s, USA

By Drexel, John Van Koert

Located in Miami, FL

Wonderful vintage condition John Van Koert for Drexel Coffee Table from the Casa del Sol Collection. 1957 USA

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Metal

John Van Koert for Drexel Coffee Table, 1950s, USA

H 14.25 in Dm 48 in

Midcentury Bench / Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel

By Drexel, John Van Koert

Located in San Diego, CA

Modernist bench or table by John Van Koert for Drexel, superior quality and construction. Scaled down version of the Classic dining table, simple, elegant design. solid and sturdy fr...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Bench / Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel

H 17 in W 35 in D 14 in

Vintage Mid Century Modern Tripod Side Table by John Van Koert Drexel 1950s

By Drexel, John Van Koert

Located in Troy, MI

Vintage Mid Century Modern Tripod Occasional Table or Stand Uncommon tripod table by Drexel circa 1950s Designed by John Van Koert for the Profile collection Tapered tripod base in ...

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Vintage Mid Century Modern Tripod Side Table by John Van Koert Drexel 1950s

H 24.5 in Dm 12 in

Mid Century Profile Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’s

By Drexel, John Van Koert

Located in New York, NY

Chic, stylish, architectural mid century modern coffee table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture as part of the classic Profile series, circa 1960’s. The table features ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Profile Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’s

H 16 in W 54 in D 20 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Drexel Desk

By Drexel

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful walnut Drexel desk with matte black metal handles. Great piece for any office or bedroom. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - wit...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Drexel Desk

H 30.5 in W 48 in D 18 in

Lane Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk

By Andre Bus, Lane Acclaim

Located in Doylestown, PA

Beautiful vintage Lane Mid-Century Modern walnut desk. This piece features atomic tapered legs, laminate top and large dovetail drawers with ample storage. A classic and elegant addi...

Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Lane Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk

H 29.5 in W 48 in D 18 in

Vintage Drexel "Meridian" Cabinet by John Van Koert

By Drexel, John Van Koert

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Bring home out-of-this-world vintage design with the "Meridian" series from Carolina's Drexel Furniture! Designed by American modern pioneer John Van Koert, it features carved oak an...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Drexel "Meridian" Cabinet by John Van Koert

H 26 in W 36 in D 17.5 in

John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Seven-Drawer Dresser

Located in Seattle, WA

A stylish Mid-Century Modern seven-drawer dresser or credenza by John Van Koert for the "Profile" line by Drexel. The dresser features gorgeous walnut wood grain and sleek mid-centur...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Seven-Drawer Dresser

H 32 in W 54 in D 20 in

Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Modern Desk in Walnut

By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company

Located in Boynton Beach, FL

Beautiful executive desk designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders. Stunning walnut veneered desk top and drawer fronts encased in in solid walnut legs and sides. Finished back with...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Modern Desk in Walnut

H 30 in W 50 in D 24 in

Mid-Century Dining Table John Van Koert Drexel Projection

By John Van Koert, Drexel

Located in Baltimore, MD

Stunning vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut dining table in great original condition, designed by John Van Koert for the Drexel Projection line, circa...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Dining Table John Van Koert Drexel Projection

H 30 in W 56 in D 38 in

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk

By Kipp Stewart, Drexel

Located in Countryside, IL

Kipp Stewart for Drexel declaration mid century walnut corner desk This desk measures: 52.5 wide x 40.25 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a c...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk

H 31.5 in W 52.5 in D 40.25 in

John Van Koert furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

John Van Koert furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Van Koert furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by John Van Koert were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Raymond Loewy, Kittinger, and Heritage-Henredon. Prices for John Van Koert furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $675 and can go as high as $19,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,500.