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.
Classic Pair of Modernist Armchairs by John Van Koert for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic pair of modernist armchairs by John Van Koert for Drexe, amazing original condition, solid. Sturdy construction, superior quality, sculpted walnut, extremely comfortable.
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Super Chic Lounge Chairs by Robert Van Koert Cymbal Line
By John Van Koert
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare find and fabulous look! This vintage of John Van Koert Lounge Chairs feature curvaceous gilt metal frames, which will pair seamlessly with a mid-century aesthetic for timeles...
Aluminum
$4,000Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 31.13 in W 23 in D 22 in
Pair of Knoll International Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Brno Leather Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair Of Knoll International Mies Van Der Rohe Brno leather lounge chairs from 1971 If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contac...
Leather
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 48.5 in D 21 in
Vintage Midcentury Drexel John Van Koert Profile Series Bench
By John Van Koert
Located in Pasadena, TX
Drexel Profile Series John Van Koert Vintage midcentury John Van Koert Profile Series bench Bench version of the Profile Series ...
Walnut
Illum Wikkelsø Pair of Lounge Chairs
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø, pair of lounge chairs, fabric upholstery, wood, Denmark, 1950s Lovely and comfortable pair of lounge chairs by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø. The shape of the chair...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Lounge Chairs by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of elegant lounge chairs, designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be compl...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,300 / set
H 37.8 in W 26.19 in D 28.75 in
Robert Haussmann for De Sede Pair of Armchairs in Cognac Leather
By De Sede, Robert Haussmann
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Robert Haussmann for De Sede, pair of armchairs, model 'RH-304', leather and steel, Switzerland, ca. 1950. This cantilevered pair of tufted chairs...
Steel
$1,451 / set
H 29.93 in W 18.9 in D 20.48 in
Pair of Chrome Dining Armchairs by David Palterer for Zanotta, Italy, 1987
By David Palterer, Zanotta
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Artistic and stylish pair of side / dining chairs by David Palterer for Zanotta, Italy. The chairs are made in chromed tubular frame that features a floating backrest. The wood is ma...
Chrome
Pair of Mid Century Lounge Chairs by Mel Simlow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Classic low profile midcentury lounge chairs by recognized master of the period Mel Simlow. Both chairs are in original untouched condition, the frames show...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Gainsborough Style Lounge Chairs
Located in Vosselaar, BE
As we found a small but amazing batch of root walnut we decided to make a pair of chairs suitable for this rare woodspecies. Our choice of style was a classic high quality Gainsborou...
Walnut
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
This comfortable pair of midcentury lounge chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Professionally upholstered with orange/yellow colored velvet fabric with solid wood feet.
Upholstery
Pair of Spanish Pine Chalet Chic Chairs, 1960s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Beautiful pair of vintage 1960s Spanish armchairs that capture the warmth and ease of mid-century design from northern Spain. Carved from solid pine, their sculptural form is defined...
Wool, Wood, Fabric, Pine
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Bernt Petersen, Denmark, 1960s
By Worts Mobler, Bernt Petersen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of elegant armchairs by Bernt Petersen, with rosewood frames and comfortable natural leather seats and backs. Smooth lines with nicely contrasting materials. Leather in very goo...
Leather, Wood
$27,300 / set
H 31.89 in W 27.56 in D 24.02 in
Pair of "Oscar" Armchairs by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazilian Midcentury Design, 1956
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Created by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) in 1956, the Oscar armchair was an homage to Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012), one of the most important Brazilian architects in modern architecture...
Straw, Rosewood
John Van Koert For Drexel K60 Dining Chairs in Scalamandre Vinyl
By Drexel, Karl Johan, Henredon, John Van Koert
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Drexel Profile walnut and pecan K60 Arm Chairs and Side Chairs, circa 1950s. Built like tanks, this large set of eight spindle back beauties have been restored to lovely condition. ...
Walnut, Faux Leather, Fruitwood
Sold
H 35 in W 23 in D 24 in
John Van Koert Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Armchair, Newly Reupholstered
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern club chair or dining armchair By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1950s Sculpted walnut, freshly reupholstered in modern bla...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 32.25 in W 22.5 in D 20.5 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Profile Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Van Koert for Drexel mid century profile dining chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 22.5 wide x 20.5 deep x 35.25 inches high, with a sea...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Troy Sunshade Armchairs with Removable Drink Tables
By Troy Sunshade Company, John Van Koert
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Remarkable pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs or lounge chairs designed by John Van Koert for Troy Sunshade Co. Made in the fabulous Florida Regency style featuring a cast aluminum...
Aluminum
Pair of John Van Koert for Troy Sunshade Cymbal Armchairs
By Troy Sunshade Company, John Van Koert
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern pair of chic armchairs of lounge chairs designed by John Van Koert for Troy Sunshade Co. Made in the fabulous Florida Regency taste featuring a cast aluminum frame with a barrel back form of dramatic scroll arms. The aluminum is anodized in a brass tone with brick red accents. Upholstered with white faux leather Naugahyde. Known as Cymbal chairs the design is reminiscent of Art Deco styles with modern lines and profile. Made for limited outdoor garden and patio...
Aluminum
Pair of John Van Koert for Troy Sunshade Cymbal Armchairs
By Troy Sunshade Company, John Van Koert
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern pair of chic armchairs or lounge chairs designed by John Van Koert for Troy Sunshade Co. Made in the fabulous Florida Regency style featuring a cast aluminum frame...
Aluminum