Skip to main content

John Van Koert Tray Tables

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
34
45
36
30
22
Creator: John Van Koert
Wonderful Drexel Rolling Bar Cart Mid-Century Modern, circa 1957
Wonderful Drexel Rolling Bar Cart Mid-Century Modern, circa 1957

Wonderful Drexel Rolling Bar Cart Mid-Century Modern, circa 1957

$950

Wonderful Drexel Rolling Bar Cart Mid-Century Modern, circa 1957

By Drexel, John Van Koert

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Wonderful folding rolling bar cart by Drexel, designed by John van Koert circa 1957. This piece is made of Italian walnut and retains its original finish. I love the removable solid...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Walnut

Related Items
Mid-Century Rolling Bar Cart
Mid-Century Rolling Bar Cart

Mid-Century Rolling Bar Cart

$2,250

H 26 in W 27.5 in D 15 in

Mid-Century Rolling Bar Cart

Located in New York, NY

This versatile cart was designed for use as a bar or serving cart, with an open lower shelf, two drawers for storage and a pull-out tray lined with black glass for serving. Finished ...

Category

1940s Swedish Vintage John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Fir

Italian Mid-Century Modern Drinks Cart or Rolling Bar Trolley
Italian Mid-Century Modern Drinks Cart or Rolling Bar Trolley

Italian Mid-Century Modern Drinks Cart or Rolling Bar Trolley

$3,695

H 24.5 in W 32 in D 18.75 in

Italian Mid-Century Modern Drinks Cart or Rolling Bar Trolley

Located in Austin, TX

A fine Italian Mid-Century Modern bar cart or drinks trolley, featuring a rectangular two-tier design of wood and chrome, with the top tier being a tray style, with a chrome gallery ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

$2,750

H 29.5 in W 37.5 in D 20 in

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

By Edward Wormley, Drexel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pistachio green rolling bar cart from the Precedent series by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1960. 3 tiered rolling cart featuring a textured glass top and casters. Precedent by Drexel...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Teak Rolling Bar Cart with Secret Compartment
Mid-Century Modern Teak Rolling Bar Cart with Secret Compartment

Mid-Century Modern Teak Rolling Bar Cart with Secret Compartment

$1,250

H 24 in W 29.25 in D 16 in

Mid-Century Modern Teak Rolling Bar Cart with Secret Compartment

Located in New York, NY

Crafted of solid teak, with original castors in good working condition, the upper tray is removable for serving, while the fixed lower shelf is designed to hold bottles, decanters an...

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Teak

1960s Bar Cart, MB Italia , Tray Double Face Mahogany Attributed to Ico Parisi
1960s Bar Cart, MB Italia , Tray Double Face Mahogany Attributed to Ico Parisi

1960s Bar Cart, MB Italia , Tray Double Face Mahogany Attributed to Ico Parisi

$4,440

H 29.93 in W 27.56 in D 15.75 in

1960s Bar Cart, MB Italia , Tray Double Face Mahogany Attributed to Ico Parisi

By Ico Parisi

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Elegant exceptional 1960s trolley bar cart, by MB Italia, in gilt brass encapsulated with black resin, with two removable trays in golden metal and double fa...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart
Italian Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart

Italian Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart

$1,975

H 26.07 in W 33.75 in D 17.96 in

Italian Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart

Located in Miami, FL

Cubist Industrial solid chromed metal frame with inset white Formica wengé shelves. In original good condition. The wheels works perfectly.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s
Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s

Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s

$1,986

H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 17.33 in

Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s

By Cesare Lacca

Located in Rome, IT

Serving bar cart in wood and brass details composed of two removable glass trays by the Italian designer Cesare Lacca, 1950s.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Bar Cart in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris
Bar Cart in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris

Bar Cart in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris

$9,135

H 31 in W 13 in D 30 in

Bar Cart in Cream Shagreen with 3 Removable Trays by Kifu, Paris

By Kifu Augousti

Located in New York, NY

The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Kifu Paris bar trolley in cream...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

$2,800Sale Price|20% Off

H 29.5 in W 37.5 in D 20 in

Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Rolling Bar Cart

By Edward Wormley

Located in Pasadena, TX

A beautiful rolling bar cart as part of Edward Wormley's Precedent series. Blonde wood, 3 tiered rolling cart with glass shelf and casters. The top features a frosted glass insert. Precedent by Drexel...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Lorenzo Burchiellaro Cubic Bar Cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s.
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Cubic Bar Cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s.

Lorenzo Burchiellaro Cubic Bar Cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s.

$2,180

H 25.6 in W 23.23 in D 23.23 in

Lorenzo Burchiellaro Cubic Bar Cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s.

By Lorenzo Burchiellaro

Located in Almelo, NL

Lorenzo Burchiellaro cubic bar cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s. Cubic-shaped bar cart with wheels with a frame realized in metal which presents a circular void on each side, a...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart, Belgium design
Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart, Belgium design

Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart, Belgium design

$1,168

H 25.6 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in

Mid-Century Modern Rolling Bar/Serving Cart, Belgium design

Located in Antwerp, BE

Cubist Industrial solid chromed metal frame with inset white Formica and wengé shelves. In original good condition.

Category

1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Two-Tier Bar or Tea Serving Cart
Mid-Century Modern Two-Tier Bar or Tea Serving Cart

Mid-Century Modern Two-Tier Bar or Tea Serving Cart

$768Sale Price|48% Off

H 35 in W 21.25 in D 38 in

Mid-Century Modern Two-Tier Bar or Tea Serving Cart

Located in Plainview, NY

An elegant Mid-Century Modern two-tier bar or tea serving cart. The cart features large carriage style wheels, two glass shelves and a free-wheeling r...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

John Van Koert tray tables for sale on 1stDibs.

John Van Koert tray tables 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 tray tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tray tables by John Van Koert were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1950s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tray tables by and Charles Hollis Jones. Prices for John Van Koert tray tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $950.