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.
$1,520Sale 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 ...
Walnut
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...
Iron
Faux Bamboo Midcentury Bench
By William Billy Haines
Located in St. Louis, MO
Elegant bench with dark brown mahogany splayed legs carved to resemble bamboo, silk upholstery has some fading
$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...
Walnut
Rustic Pine Bench, France 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Solid Pine bench with hand-carved joinery.
Pine
$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 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
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...
Rattan, Wood
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, ...
Walnut
$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 Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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...
Walnut
$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...
Walnut
$1,800
H 20 in W 23 in D 16 in
Edward Wormley For Drexel Precedent Bench With Upholstered Seat ca' 1950's
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and timeless Edward Wormley upholstered bench for Drexel Precedent line, model 200-2, ca' 1950's. Newly restored in natural, clear finish showing the wood grain and new uph...
Upholstery, Elm
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...
Oak
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...
Velvet, Wood
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
Walnut
John Van Koert, Bench, Walnut, Iron, USA, 1950s
By Drexel, 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. Overall Dimensions (inches): 14.0"H x 74.0"W x 16.625"D Sea...
Iron
Midcentury Bench or 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...
Mahogany
Elusive Modernist Bench or Table by John Van Koert for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
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.
Fruitwood
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.
Wood