Vintage Mogens Koch furniture endures as a sophisticated example of Scandinavian modernism in today’s homes. The award-winning mid-century Danish architect was known for his functional approach to furniture design and for prioritizing comfort and accessibility. While these are traits that we typically attribute to American mid-century modern design — as well as the coveted furnishings that originated in Scandinavian workshops — Koch also drew on older traditions and techniques. His chairs, tables and other items show the influence of the Shaker style and English pieces of the 18th century.
Koch was born in Copenhagen and attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. After graduating, he worked as an assistant to Kaare Klint, an important figure in Danish modernism who was responsible for establishing the furniture design program at Koch’s alma mater. Klint favored historical styles and inspired Koch to view furniture design as an evolutionary process built on the traditions of the past. Over the course of their partnership, in the late 1920s, Koch began creating modular bookcases. Simple yet elegant, vintage Mogens Koch bookcase systems — which were over the years crafted in comely woods such as mahogany, oak and cherrywood — are all about versatility and flexibility, intended to be configured to fit rooms of all shapes and sizes.
In 1932, Rud Rasmussen began to produce Koch bookcase designs. An early Koch seating design that the Danish manufacturer made was the MK Safari chair, an unassuming folding chair based on traditional British campaign furniture. It greatly resembles Klint’s own Safari chair, which was designed in 1933 and was also inspired by military furniture. It became one of Koch’s signature armchairs. The seat inspired a series of folding furniture pieces, including tables that could collapse for storage.
In 1938, Koch was awarded the Eckersberg Medal from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He took an associate professor role at the school in 1940. In 1950, he became a full professor of architecture and continued teaching until 1968. The academy also awarded him their highest honor — the C.F. Hansen Medal — in 1963. Later in life, Koch won the 1990 Danish Design Center's Classic Award and the 1992 Industrial Design Prize.
On 1stDibs, you can find vintage Mogens Koch storage pieces, coffee tables and more.
Mogens Koch Oregon Pine Frame for Rud, Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Koch Oregon pine and glass frame made by Rud. Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, c. 1960. Label from here. Original, untouched condition.
Glass, Pine
Pine Picture Frame Mogens Koch & Rud Rasmussen Denmark, 1940s
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in London, GB
Description: A solid pine picture frame designed by Mogens Koch and made by Rud Rasmussen, circa 1940.In their extreme soberness and simplicity they fully bear the character of Scand...
Pine
Anthroposophical Frame, 1940s, Rudolf Steiner, Dornach Design
By Rudolf Steiner
Located in PARIS, FR
Anthroposophical frame, carved natural fruit wood. Rudolf Steiner school, Dornach design, Switzerland. 1940s. Sight: 20 x 15,3 cm. Overall: 30 x 23,3 cm.
Wood
Tiffany Studios Pine Needle Picture Frame, Model 947
Located in New York, NY
A Tiffany Studios New York gilt bronze and Favrile glass “Pine Needle” picture frame, Model 947, circa 1905–1910, of rectangular form with a broad openwork border surrounding a reces...
Bronze
$3,999
H 6.78 in W 5.12 in D 0.4 in
Mogens Ballin Art Nouveau Picture Frame, Tin and Brass, Denmark, 1900
By Thorvald Bindesbøll, Georg Jensen, René Lalique, Mogens Ballin, Georges De Feure
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A rare antique Art Nouveau tin and brass picture frame by Danish painter and artist Mogens Ballin (1871-1914) produced in the very beginning of the last century. Intricate arts and c...
Brass, Tin, Metal
Tiffany Modern Sterling Silver Frame for 3 Special Pictures
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1970. Horizontal rectangular surround with three vertical windows: central oval flanked by rectangles. Wit...
Sterling Silver
Alvar Aalto for Artek Pine Picture Frame, circa 1970
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional pine wood photo frame, designed by renowned Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto for Artek, captures the essence of Scandinavian craftsmanship. The rare piece ...
Pine
Large Antique Pine Picture Frame. English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful plain pine frame Lovely colour The measurement given below is the outside of the frame. Sight measures 23.75 x 31.75 inches. 60.5 x 81 cm Free UK shipping
Pine
Murano glass frame, Barovier & Toso, 1940s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Vicenza, VI
Murano glass frame, with the "Barovier & Toso" mark on the support rod. Handcrafted and featuring a distinctive spiral pattern that covers the entire surface of the glass. It featur...
Brass
$2,513
H 11.82 in W 9.45 in D 1.58 in
Splendid Italian 1940s Gold Etched Glass and Brass Picture Frame
Located in Milan, IT
Beautifully manufactured Italian 1940s Gold Etched Glass and Brass Picture Frame. Very Sturdy and Full Brass Picture inner size 11.8 x 17 cm
Brass
Small Picture Frame Rectangular for oval portrait Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular for oval photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloche, English style, early 1900s. External cm. 6 x 9, internal oval cm....
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$2,399Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.06 in W 14.97 in D 7.49 in
Ondulation Mid-Century Bronze Picture Frame, 1940´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Ondulation Mid-Century Bronze Picture Frame, France, 1940´s Jean Royère was known for turning functional objects into sculptural statements, and this design echoes his signature voc...
Bronze
Seguso Venini Art Deco Picture Frame, Brass & Glass, Italy, 1940s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Excellent condition. No chips and the brass is perfect. Good condition, bracket repaired. Shipping & Location This item is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We offer secure, prof...
Brass
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 52.37 in W 51.19 in D 24.41 in
Large 19th Century Pine Wood Photography Darkroom Negative Printing Tilt Frame
Located in Haarlem, NL
This is a large tilting antique pine wood dovetailed 19th century photography wood darkroom contact printing frame on a mobile wheeled stand A printing fra...
Iron
Mogens Koch Oregon Pine Frame for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmak, 1960's
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Koch Oregon pine and glass frame made by Rud. Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, c. 1960. Label from here. Measures: 38 X 50.5 cm. Original, untouched...
Glass, Pine
Mogens Koch Large Frames
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
Individual large pine frames designed by Mogens Koch and made by Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier. Great color to the wood.
Pine
Mogens Koch Collection of Frames
By Mogens Koch
Located in London, GB
Made by master cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen and designed by architect Mogens Koch.