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.
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
Drexel “Casa Del Sol” Table Bench by John Van Koert Vintage, 1950s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by John Van Koert for his Casa del Sol Collection and produced by Drexel Furniture in the 1950s. This "Table/Bench" as it is referred to on the makers mark, could be used eq...
Metal
$5,775 / set
H 18.31 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Murano Glass Sculptures by Anzolo Fuga for A.Ve.M.1950s
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM), Anzolo Fuga
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Murano Glass Sculptures by Anzolo Fuga for A.Ve.M.1950s A large pair of Murano art glass sculptures depicting a fisherman and a fisherwoman. Designed by Anzolo Fuga and prod...
Art Glass
$4,389Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.8 in W 8.67 in D 6.3 in
Vintage French Ceramic Zoomorphic Pitcher by Jacques Blin 'circa 1950s'
By Jacques Blin
Located in London, GB
Vintage French ceramic pitcher / vase (circa 1950s) by Jacques Blin. The pitcher in the form perhaps of a proud French coq is in a subtle hue covered in Blin's trademark misty glaze....
Ceramic
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.5 in W 3.75 in D 1.88 in
Susana Espinosa Cabeza Mujer Bronze Sculpture Puerto Rico Isla del Sol Artist PR
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and Rare version of the Cabeza de Mujer series in Bronze. Signed and Number; Espinosa 246/300. Bronze Bust Only (not including base) W: 3 1/8 x D: 2 1/2 x H: 3 3/4 in.
Bronze
Italian Ceramic Terrier Dog Vintage, 1950s
Located in Rochester, NY
Italian ceramic terrier. 1950s. Very Hollywood Regency.
Ceramic
Vintage Fly Ashtray in Brass, 1950s
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and decorative ashtray in solid brass, circa 1950.
Brass
Vintage ceramic figurine Birds Vintage Yugoslavia 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage ceramic figurine Birds Vintage made in Yugoslavia in the 1950s. The vintage sculpture is in very good vintage condition. Dimensions: Width: 20 cm / 7.87 inches Height: 12...
Ceramic
John Andersson, Small Sculpture, Stoneware, Sweden, 1950s
By John Andersson
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed stoneware sculpture designed by John Andersson and produced by Höganäs Keramik c. 1950s. “HOGANAS KERAMIK” stamp on bottom
Stoneware
Pair of Vintage Anatomical Models, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage educational anatomical modells used in a soviet school in the 1950s-1960s. Can be used as a wall decor or displayed in a curio cabinet. ? Made out of wood and plaster. ...
Plaster, Wood
Pair of Italian Vintage Brass Donkeys, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Whimsical and elegant mid-century solid brass donkeys with engraved detailing and a warm patina. Made in Italy, circa 1950. Beautiful as a sculptural duo or quirky decorative accents...
Brass
Vintage ceramic sculpture of Barber by Capodimonte Italy 1950s
By Capodimonte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Vintage ceramic sculpture of Barber by Capodimonte made in Italy in the 1950s. In good condition. There are signs of age, minor damage (please see photos). Dimensions: Width: 17 cm /...
Porcelain
Vintage Murano Glass Parrot Sculpture by Alfredo Barbini, 1950s
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Winter Park, FL
A vintage mid century Italian Murano art glass parrot or exotic bird sculpture by Alfredo Barbini. Rare bright yellow color, hand-blown using bullicante technique (controlled bubbles...
Art Glass
$357 / item
H 7.49 in W 7.49 in D 6.11 in
"Flight shadows" decoration, handcraft metal sculpture by SVITANOK
Located in Vilnius, LT
Flight shadows decoration This object symbolizes the dynamic movement of a static form. Visual incompleteness demonstrates the dynamics of the form transformation, the acquisition...
Steel
$710 / set
H 7.49 in W 7.49 in D 6.11 in
Set of Two "Flight Shadows" Decoration, Handcrafted Metal Sculpture by SVITANOK
By Artem Zakharchenko-Halytskyi
Located in Vilnius, LT
Flight shadows decoration This object symbolizes the dynamic movement of a static form. Visual incompleteness demonstrates the dynamics of the form transformation, the acquisition...
Steel
$515 / set
H 4.73 in W 2.76 in D 3.55 in
Vintage Ginori Porcelain Sculptures by Richard Ginori, Italy, 1950s
By Richard Ginori
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Ginori Porcelain is an original decorative object realized by Richard Ginori in the middle of the XX Century. Colored porcelain. Marked on the base. Made in Italy. ...
Porcelain
$172Sale Price|45% Off
H 1.97 in W 7.88 in D 2.96 in
Vintage Ceramic Alligator from Søholm, Danish 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A glazed black crocodile or Alligator decorated with green dots across its spine. It can be displayed lying of wall mounted. Designed and made a...
Ceramic