Skip to main content

John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

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.

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
37
30
30
22
22
Creator: John Van Koert
John Van Koert Drexel Profile K12 Gentlemen’s Chest Dresser
By John Van Koert, Karl Johan, Henredon, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
K12 Man’s Chest designed by John Van Koert for Drexel’s “Profile” collection. Collectors revel – this dresser comes with it’s original tag! Van Koert began his career as a jewelry de...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Chrome

Related Items
Newly Refinished -Mid-Century Modern “Profile” Walnut Dresser by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desig...
Category

1850s American Mid-Century Modern Antique John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

John Van Koert Designed 'Counterpoint' for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great mid-century design by John Van Koert with luxurious mahogany, blended with wild-grained cherry wood. Inset hardware, rounded lines and tapered legs. Six drawers and center cabi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Cherry

John Van Koert Designed 'Counterpoint' for Drexel
John Van Koert Designed 'Counterpoint' for Drexel
$2,000
H 30.5 in W 60.25 in D 20 in
Drexel Campaign Highboy Dresser Chest of Drawers
By Drexel
Located in Fulton, CA
A Drexel Campaign style highboy chest of drawers. Circa. 1970's. Quality materials and craftsmanship with solid oak interior wood and dovetail construction. Inset brass pulls. Drawer...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Oak

Drexel Campaign Highboy Dresser Chest of Drawers
Drexel Campaign Highboy Dresser Chest of Drawers
$1,175
H 48.5 in W 37.75 in D 19.25 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Sideboard Buffet
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by John Van Koert for Drexel, this exquisite mid-century modern sideboard buffet is a masterclass in understated elegance and fine craftsmanship. Part of the celebrated “Pro...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

John Van Koert for Drexel Sideboard Buffet
John Van Koert for Drexel Sideboard Buffet
$1,600
H 32 in W 48 in D 21 in
Iconic Mid Century Desk by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960's
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century desk, designed by John Van Koert for Drexel, circa 1960's. This stylish desk features a two tier top, the upper section having two sliding doors, that open to rev...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid-Century Drexel Dresser Gentleman’s Chest Meridian Collection
By Drexel
Located in Baltimore, MD
Stunning MidCentury dresser / gentleman's chest designed by James Bouffard for Drexel circa 1960's from the Meridian collection features a top drawer with divider. Makers Label on th...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal

Drexel Viewpoint 70 Gentlemen’s Chest \ Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Denton, TX
Drexel Viewpoint 70 Gentlemen’s chest \ dresser. Tons of drawers for maximum storage. The left side drawers make a perfect jewelry storage space. R...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Campaign Dresser by Drexel
By Lane Furniture, Drexel, Dixie, Henredon, Bassett Furniture
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage campaign dresser by Drexel. This piece is a part of Drexel’s Accolade line. Featuring ten smooth sliding drawers, a bank in the middle...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Campaign Dresser by Drexel
Mid-Century Campaign Dresser by Drexel
$3,200
H 30.75 in W 77.5 in D 19 in
American Mid-Century Modern End Table Travertine by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful And rare end table by Drexel designed by John Van Koert, freshly refinished in chocolate walnut finish with silver-plated polished handles. very clean part of the Drexel Pr...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Travertine

Mainline by Hooker Mid Century Caned Highboy Dresser Chest
By Mainline by Hooker
Located in Countryside, IL
Mainline by Hooker mid century caned highboy dresser chest Highboy measures: 42 wide x 20 deep x 46.75 inches high ?All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Cane, Wood

Chestnut 2 Beveled Doors Compartment Gentlemen's Chest Dresser Cabinet MINT!
By Thomasville
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chestnut 2 Beveled Doors Compartment Gentlemen's Chest Dresser Cabinet MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Chestnut

Sleek vintage midcentury Profile walnut sideboard, John Van Koert, Drexel 1960s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Hastings, GB
Sleek midcentury walnut sideboard by John Van Koert for Drexel's 'Profile' collection...named for the exaggerated front top profile. The side profile of the legs also have an archite...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items
John Van Koert for Drexel Casa del Sol Wardrobe
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Philadelphia, PA
John Van Koert for Drexel Casa del Sol 2 part wardrobe. Two-door upper cabinet opens to reveal pullout / pull-out drawers on the left and adjustabl...
Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Casa Del Sol Cabinet by John Van Koert for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in New York, NY
Stylish architectural two-door cabinet with interior drawers and shelves. This cabinet can serve as a chest of drawers, wardrobe, or diminutive armoire. Well crafted, in good untouched original condition, clean and ready to use. The finish shows some minor cosmetic wear, and the veneer trim at the plinth base shows inconsequential veneer loss, normal and consistent with age. Casa Del Sol...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

John Van Koert wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs.

John Van Koert wardrobes and armoires are available for sale on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All