John Van Koert Benches

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

John Van Koert, Bench, Walnut, Iron, USA, 1950s

$5,800

John Van Koert, Bench, Walnut, Iron, USA, 1950s

By John Van Koert

Located in High Point, NC

A walnut and bronze-painted iron bench or coffee table designed by John Van Koert and produced by Drexel, USA, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches...

Category

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

Materials

Iron

Vintage Midcentury Drexel John Van Koert Profile Series Bench

$1,520Sale Price|20% Off

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 ...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Convex Bench Series 60 in Natural Walnut

$5,800 / item

H 18 in W 60 in D 20 in

Convex Bench Series 60 in Natural Walnut

By Stamford Modern

Located in Westport, CT

Introducing the Convex Bench by Carlos Solano for Stamford Modern—an exquisite blend of timeless craftsmanship and lightweight design. Meticulously crafted from solid oak or walnut, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Kipp Stewart Drexel Coffee Table Bench

$1,276Sale Price|20% Off

H 16.5 in W 59.5 in D 16 in

Mid Century Kipp Stewart Drexel Coffee Table Bench

By Bassett Furniture

Located in Baltimore, MD

A beautiful, mid-century, modern, retro, 1960’s, Danish style, coffee table/ bench, by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel, from the Declaration series. The perfect length...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Walnut

“Florida” Bench by Ebbe Wigells, Sweden 1950s

$4,750

H 29.73 in W 53.15 in D 20.08 in

“Florida” Bench by Ebbe Wigells, Sweden 1950s

By AB Bröderna Wigells Stolfabrik

Located in Utrecht, NL

The so-called ‘stick’ sofa has been around throughout the history of the popular “stick chair” and has had its peaks during the 20th century, especially the 1920s and 50s. Recently, ...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Wood

Rustic Pine Bench, France 1950s

$5,950

H 19 in W 59 in D 11.5 in

Rustic Pine Bench, France 1950s

Located in New York, NY

Solid Pine bench with hand-carved joinery.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Pine

Convex Bench Series 72 in Natural Walnut

$6,800 / item

H 18 in W 72 in D 20 in

Convex Bench Series 72 in Natural Walnut

By Stamford Modern

Located in Westport, CT

Introducing the Convex Bench by Carlos Solano for Stamford Modern—an exquisite blend of timeless craftsmanship and lightweight design. Meticulously crafted from solid oak or walnut, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Walnut

Indoor & Outdoor Low Profile Woven Black Rattan Bench

$400

H 17 in W 52 in D 15 in

Indoor & Outdoor Low Profile Woven Black Rattan Bench

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

This outdoor low profile woven black rattan bench offers a sleek, modern take on classic woven furniture. Crafted with a sturdy frame and tightly wrapped in black rattan. The elongat...

Category

20th Century Indonesian Modern John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Mid-century vintage Drexel heritage upholstered walnut benches

$585

H 17 in W 21 in D 18 in

Mid-century vintage Drexel heritage upholstered walnut benches

Located in Allentown, PA

This is a pair of mid-century vintage French country inspired walnut and velvet benches. These benches have a soft plush cream colored velvet upholstery with button tufting at the to...

Category

1950s Vintage John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Velvet, Wood

1950s Vintage American Craftsman Cabinmodern Studio Walnut Entryway Bench

$2,063Sale Price|24% Off

H 17 in W 59.25 in D 21.38 in

1950s Vintage American Craftsman Cabinmodern Studio Walnut Entryway Bench

By George Nelson

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Very heavy, constructed of solid walnut. Original finish, so you see some wear from normal uses. Some splitting to top surface boards, some spalting (spotting) on the legs, and check...

Category

1950s American American Craftsman Vintage John Van Koert Benches

Materials

Walnut

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style "Long John" Walnut Bench, Coffee Table, 1950s

$2,200

H 13.5 in W 71 in D 19 in

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style "Long John" Walnut Bench, Coffee Table, 1950s

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Long Edward Wormley for dunbar style walnut "long john" Bench. Coffee Table. Bed End. Featuring a longer rectangular slat-style Walnut surface, turned edge...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal

$3,600

H 11.75 in W 56 in D 18 in

Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal

By John Keal

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Midcentury Brown Saltman expandable slat bench designed by John Keal. This bench has two ends that pull-out extending to almost 94” long creating a versatile solid oak walnut stained...

Category

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

Materials

Oak

1950s Walnut Slat Bench

$2,700

H 14 in W 60 in D 18 in

1950s Walnut Slat Bench

By Mel Smilow

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Well engineered walnut hardwood slat bench by Mel Smilow. Stained and well loved by its original owner. Presented in as-found, unrestored condition. W 60 x D 18 x H 14 in

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Classic Pair of Modernist Armchairs by John Van Koert for Drexel

$1,480 / set

H 35 in W 23.25 in D 23.25 in

Classic Pair of Modernist Armchairs by John Van Koert for Drexel

By John Van Koert, Drexel

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.

Category

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

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Previously Available Items

John Van Koert, Bench, Walnut, Iron, USA, 1950s

Sold

H 14 in W 74 in D 16.63 in

John Van Koert, Bench, Walnut, Iron, USA, 1950s

By John Van Koert, Drexel

Located in High Point, NC

A walnut and bronze-painted iron bench or coffee table designed by John Van Koert and produced by Drexel, USA, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 14.0"H x 74.0"W x 16.625"D Sea...

Category

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

Materials

Iron

Midcentury Bench or Table by John Van Koert for Drexel

Sold

H 16.5 in W 35 in L 16.5 in

Midcentury Bench or Table by John Van Koert for Drexel

By John Van Koert, Drexel

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 Benches

Materials

Mahogany

Elusive Modernist Bench or Table by John Van Koert for Drexel

Sold

H 16.5 in W 35 in D 14 in

Elusive Modernist Bench or Table by John Van Koert for Drexel

By John Van Koert, Drexel

Located in Buffalo, NY

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.

Category

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

Materials

Fruitwood

John Van Koert Drexel Bench

Sold

H 16.5 in W 34.63 in D 13.63 in

John Van Koert Drexel Bench

By John Van Koert

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A smaller sized petite bench with nice simple flowing lines refinished in a dark ebony tone. A cushion form is available for the top of the seat.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

John Van Koert benches for sale on 1stDibs.

John Van Koert benches 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 benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by John Van Koert were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider benches by Planner Group, Paul McCobb, and Milo Baughman. Prices for John Van Koert benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,520 and can go as high as $2,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,860.