Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
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.
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Glass, Pine
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century Belgian Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Wood, Glass, Shell
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Paper
1990s French Brutalist Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Metal
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Glass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Brass
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Cut Glass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan, Paper
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Glass, Pine
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
Pine
1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mogens Koch Decorative Objects
