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.
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
John Van Koert "Casa Del Sol" Parquetry Walnut End Table with Opening Top
By John Van Koert
Located in Chicago, IL
John Van Koert for Drexel side table or petite coffee table with walnut block parquetry top that flips up to reveal a storage area for remotes, magazines etc. Limed and bleached maho...
Mahogany, Walnut
$2,400
H 21 in W 31 in D 22 in
Organic Shape Solid Oiled Walnut Base Travertine Terrazzo Top End Side Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Travertine top walnut base side or end table on wheels.
Travertine
Large John Van Koert coffee Table
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Charleston, WV
38" wide x 16" tall, large walnut coffee table. John Van Korea for Drexel. This table has been refinished but maintains two flaws (photographed and shown in video), otherwise excelle...
Walnut
$5,250
H 29.38 in W 62 in D 39.88 in
John Van Koert for Drexel - Profile - Walnut Extension Dining Table - 3 Leaves
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in St. Louis, MO
John Van Koert for Drexel designed sculptural & sophisticated architectural form model K-42-4 dining table, designed as part of the classic Profile series. This large walnut extensio...
Walnut
MCM Drexel Profile Walnut Desk by John Van Koert
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Trenton, NJ
Drexel Profile Walnut Desk by John Van Koert with Integrated Organizer This walnut writing desk is a well-executed example of John Van Koert’s work for Drexel’s Profile series, a li...
Wood
$904Sale Price|40% Off
H 11.82 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Handcrafted English Walnut Modernist End Table
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted from the finest quality English walnut. These Postmodernist tables are acutely eye-catching but practical pieces of furniture. Bespoke handmade by master craftsmen in Eng...
Walnut
$1,596Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 12.75 in W 22 in D 24 in
Percival Lafer Smoked Glass Top Brazilian Modern Rosewood End Tables
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of vintage 1970s Percival Lafer, Brazilian Modern side tables. The deep red hue rosewood bases support a rich smoked glass table top. Both of the tables bear the “Lafer” label. ...
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
$2,200
H 21 in W 30 in D 21 in
John Stuart Abonized Walnut Base Copper Top Rectangular Side End Table Stand
By John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
John Stuart ebonized mid century modern side table with copper top.
Copper
$2,000 / set
H 16 in W 72 in D 20 in
2 pc. Mid Century Surfboard Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in New York, NY
Rare two part coffee table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture, as part of their class Profile series, circa 1960’s. As the table consists of two separate pieces, it can...
Wood
Large Square End Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our Baltic table is a large square shaped end table that is elegant in its simplicity. Lacquered in farrow and ball California Blue, the color and size...
Lacquer
$19,495
H 20.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Green Ceramic and Walnut Side End Tables - Pair
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Green Ceramic and Walnut Side End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 24 wide x 24 deep x 20.5 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition. W...
Ceramic, Walnut
$1,046Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in W 30 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Chrome & Walnut End or Coffee Table After Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern end table or coffee table in walnut and chrome made in the style of Florence Knoll. It is in fabulous vintage condition with normal wear. The top has been...
Chrome
$1,795 / set
H 30 in W 107 in D 42 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Van Koert for Drexel mid century walnut drop leaf dining table This table measures: 71 wide x 42 deep x 30 inches high, e...
Walnut
Sold
H 24 in W 19.5 in D 30 in
Pair, Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Step End Tables by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of Mid-Century Modern step end tables by John Van Koert for Drexel feature exceptional lines and contrasting wood grain. They are from the "Profile" line for the furniture ...
Wood, Ash, Walnut
Sold
H 22.25 in W 30.25 in D 30.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Side Table / End Table by John Van Koert for Drexel Profile
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Square End Table by John Van Koert for Drexel Profile, c. 1958. Substantial table surface space, perfect for a table lamp or displaying coffee table books. The low...
Wood
Sold
H 26.25 in W 18 in D 16 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Black Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bedside tables By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1959 Black lacquered walnut, with original brass hardware. ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Step End Tables by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern, ash, step end tables by John Van Koert for Drexel feature exceptional lines and contrasting wood grain. The lower table is 17 inches height and the upper ...
Ash
Sold
H 17.5 in W 24 in D 22 in
1957 Mid Century Drexel X-Base "Casa Del Sol" Side End Table by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful unique Drexel X-base end/side table from the "Casa Del Sol" collection and designed by John Van Koert. These date from 1957 and are marked on the bo...
Wood
Sold
H 24.13 in W 30 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Two-Tier Walnut Table by John Van Koert for Drexel Profile, 1950s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Miami, FL
A rare vintage Mid-Century Modern end table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel's Profile collection, model K73, dating from 1956. The walnut and pecan two-tiered occasional table ...
Walnut
Sold
H 28.25 in W 21.13 in D 19 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Nightstands, Pair
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of mid-century modern three-drawer nightstands By Jan van Koert for Drexel "Profile" Collection USA, 1950s Ebonized walnut, with original brass hardware....
Brass
John Van Koert for Drexel Ceramic Base Occasional Table, 1956
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern occasional table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture. Van Koert combined Mid-Century Modern ceramics with fine woodwork to produ...
Ceramic, Cherry
Sold
H 24 in W 28 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of John Van Koert for Drexel Walnut Side End Tables
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a stunning pair of John Van Koert end side tables. These tables are made of walnut and are very sturdy and in an excellent condition. Dimensions are: 28" x ...
Walnut
Pair of Sculptural Side Tables with Leather Tops by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert, Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sculptural side tables with leather tops by John Van Koert. Fully restored and excellent quality. See this item in our privat...
Leather, Walnut
Drexel Profile Walnut Step Tables by John Van Koert, Modernist
By John Van Koert
Located in Buffalo, NY
John Van Koert (Canadian/American, 1912-1998) for Drexel Furniture Company, Drexel Profile walnut step table, circa 1950s, the angled two-tier ta...
Walnut
John van Koert for Drexel ceramic and wood side table
By John Van Koert
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drexel side table with wood top and ceramic base in brown and cream earth tones
Walnut, Ceramic