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.
Sophisticated Pair of Art Deco Loungers by John Van Korert for Troy Sunshade
By Troy Sunshade Company, John Van Koert
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent pair of lounge chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing; Excellent Vintage Condition. The frames display fabulous patina. The cu...
Aluminum
Set of John Van Koert Chairs by Drexel Furniture, 1950s
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Dallas, TX
These incredibly rare stunners by Drexel Furniture Company, part of the "Counterpoint" series, circa 1950s. Designed by John Van Koert, a visionary in mid-century modern design, craf...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set Of Two Carlo Mollino Longue Chair Italy 1950s
By Carlo Mollino
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set of Two Carlo Mollino Longue chair in Red Velvet Italy 1950s
Fabric, Wood
Strips Long Lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Very rare strips lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s, It is reupholstered in a sand color recycled fabric. The upholstery can be zipped off so you can snuggle under a blanket. On...
Fabric
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 29 in D 32 in
Pr. Barcelona Style Chairs by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of Barcelona style lounge chairs, designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel. Like the iconic Mies chair, but the American designed and made version. These chairs are actually mu...
Chrome
$12,500 / set
H 34.5 in W 25.75 in D 60 in
Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade 3 Position Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade Chrome and Leather 3 Position Lounge Chair. Rohde did some of his most amazing designs for Troy Sunshade. Designed in 1934 this early example, later m...
Chrome
$1,400
H 30.5 in W 24.75 in D 32 in
Art Deco Machine Age Lounge Chair designed by Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Art Deco, Machine Age lounge chair designed by Gilbert Rohde for the Troy Sunshade Company circa 1930's. The chair features a sexy tubular chrome frame with large upholstered ...
Chrome
$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
$3,850 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 34 in
Pair of Drexel Parson Style Chairs with Curvaceous Backs Mid Century
By Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Expertly crafted by Drexel, these mid-century Parsons style chairs feature beautifully curved backs for a beautiful 360 degree vision. Perfect for any modern or vintage-inspired spac...
Upholstery
Pair of Art Deco Armchairs, 1930s
Located in Lucenec, SK
These art deco chairs attributed to J. Halabala have red and gold upholstery with a floral and leaf pattern. The chairs have a classic art deco shape with rounded, comfortable backre...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,800
H 28 in W 68.5 in D 32 in
Art Deco Machine Age Sofa Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade Company
By Troy Sunshade Company, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Art Deco Machine Age sofa designed by Gilbert Rohde for the Troy Sunshade Company, circa 1930's. The couch features a sexy tubular chrome fram...
Chrome
$1,200
H 31.5 in W 25.2 in D 32.68 in
Art Deco tubular steel armchair in the style of Gilbert Rhode Troy Sunshade 1930
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
A classic tubular steel armchair in the Art Deco style of the 1930s. The armchair comes with a dark green cover made of imitation leather and a frame made of chrome tubes which have ...
Chrome
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of fine French Art Deco stained beech "bridge" armchairs by Jules Leleu.
Fabric, Beech
Cushman Furniture, Lounge Chair, Oak, Fabric, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and white fabric lounge chair with carved details attributed to Cushman Furniture, US, c. 1950s. Seat height 18”.
Fabric, Oak
Pair of John Van Koert Rouge Cymbal Arm Chairs
By John Van Koert
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage pair of John Van Koert for Troy Sunshade 'Cymbal' arm chairs in patinated gilt aluminum. A super chic pair of shaped gilt metal chairs in a striki...
Aluminum
John Van Koert Walnut Lounge Chair
By John Van Koert
Located in Esperance, NY
1960s John Van Koert walnut lounge chair.
Walnut
High Style John Van Koert "Cymbal" Collection Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By John Van Koert, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Dallas, TX
American deco "Cymbal" collection lounge chair and ottoman set designed by John Van Koert for the Troy Sunshade Company, circa 1950s. Contemporary el...
Brass, Aluminum
John Van Koert Walnut and Leather Lounge Chairs
By John Van Koert
Located in Phoenix, AZ
John Van Koert leather and walnut lounge chairs, circa early 1960s. These sculptural examples have newly finished walnut frames and have been newly upholstered in a beautifully patin...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 28 in W 27 in D 27 in
Four John Van Koert Cymbal Collection Gold and Tiffany Blue Lounge Chairs
By John Van Koert, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Very elegant set of four gold frame and turquoise vinyl upholstered American deco barrel back lounge chairs. Made by the Troy Sunshade Company, to John Van Koert's design. Scrolled a...
Aluminum, Brass
Four John Van Koert Cymbal Collection Gold & Turquoise Lounge Chairs
By John Van Koert, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Very elegant set of four gold frame and turquoise vinyl upholstered American deco barrel back lounge chairs. Made by the Troy Sunshade Company, to Jo...
Aluminum
Pair of Troy Sunshade Company “Cymbal” Line Lounge Chairs
By John Van Koert, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in New York, NY
Hollywood Regency, Asian Modern Style Lounge Chairs Designed by John Van Koert. Patinated Aluminum Frame, Original Upholstery. See “matching” pair we have available if you need four...
Troy Sunshade Company “Cymbal” Line Lounge Chair
By John Van Koert, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in New York, NY
Hollywood Regency, Asian modern style lounge chairs designed by John Van Koert. Patinated aluminium frame, original upholstery.