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 for K. Ivan Schlechter 'Fireside' Wingback Chair with Ottoman
By Mogens Koch
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for K. Ivan Schlechter, 'fireside' wingback lounge chair and ottoman, model MK50, mahogany, leather, Denmark, design 1936, production 1964-1979. Mogens Koch's wingback c...
Leather, Mahogany
Danish Modern Mogens Koch "MK 51" Lounge Chairs in Mahogany and Leather, 1950s
By Ivan Schlechter, Mogens Koch
Located in Odense, DK
Set of elegant lounge chairs designed by Mogens Koch in 1936. The MK51 was part of a small series of upholstered furniture that Koch designed in the 1930s that has become iconic piec...
Leather, Mahogany
MK 51 - 'Fireplace Chair' in mahogany by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch, Ivan Schlechter
Located in Copenhagen, DK
MK 51 - 'Fireplace Chair' in mahogany og patinated natural leather. Designed in 1936. Labelled from manufacturer Ivan Schlecter, designed by Mogens Koch.
Leather, Mahogany
Mogens Koch ‘Mk-16’ Safari Chair for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mogens Koch furniture designed a lot of award wining midcentury furniture. The Danish architect was known for his functional approach to furniture design and for prioritizing comfort and accessibility. Koch also drew on older traditions and techniques. His chairs and tables show the influence of the Shaker Style and Englisch pieces of the 18th century. Koch was born in Copenhagen and attended the Royal Danisch 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. In 1932, Rud Rasmussen began to produce Koch designs. An early Koch seating design that the Danish manufacturer made was the MK Safari...
Leather, Beech
$3,285
H 87 in W 50 in D 50 in
Mid-Century modern scandinavian chair Folding MK16 by Mogens Koch. New product.
By Mogens Koch, GETAMA
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mogens Koch designed the MK16 Folding Chair for a supplemental church seating contest, reinterpreting the traditional folding stool by pairing easy fold...
Leather, Oak
Mogens Koch Wingback Chair
Located in Bantam, CT
Rare Wingback Lounge Chair designed by Danish architect Mogens Koch. Upholstered in linen with leather piping. Designer – Mogens Koch Materials – Oak, linen, leather Origin – Denmar...
Leather, Linen, Oak
$6,800
H 38.59 in W 29.53 in D 23.63 in
Danish Mid Century Modern, Wingback Lounge Chair in Oak, Viggo Boesen, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Odense, DK
Presenting a fantastic lounge chair from the 1950s, expertly crafted in oak and upholstered in high-quality wool with traditional Danish weaving, known for its durability and rich te...
Wool, Oak
$3,584 / item
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair with ottoman
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with Vintage aniline leather. With ottoman. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by Rud Rasmussen.
Leather, Ash
$2,150
H 34.26 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Chair Folding MK16 by Mogens Koch, New Product
By Mogens Koch, GETAMA
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mogens Koch designed the MK16 folding chair for a supplemental church seating contest, reinterpreting the traditional folding stool by pairing easy fold...
Fabric, Oak
Birte Iversen Classic Danish 1950s Lounge Chair
By A. J. Iversen, Birte Iversen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant 1950s small scale lounge chair by Birthe Iversen made in Denmark by A. J. Iversen. The Super elegant lines and silhouette epitomize Birthe Iversen's recognizable style. Very...
Wool, Oak
Teak Mogens Koch MK-16 Safari Chair
By Mogens Koch
Located in Montreal, QC
Teak Mogens Koch MK-16 Safari chair in rosewood foldable safari chair by Danish architect and designer Mogens Koch. These are re-editions by Interna of the ...
Rosewood
Mogens Lassen Style Danish 1940s Highback Lounge Chair
By Flemming Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s lounge chair in the style of Mogens Lassen with very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a space in need of a st...
Wool, Beech
$4,400
H 30.12 in W 26.38 in D 30.32 in
Danish Modern, Curved Lounge Chair in Oak, Attributed to Viggo Boesen, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Odense, DK
Elevate your interior space with this Danish Modern masterpiece - an exceptional curved lounge chair in oak attributed to the renowned designer Viggo Boesen. Crafted during the 1950s, this chair is an example of the era's innovative design, seamlessly blending comfort, functionality, and timeless style. This lounge chair's design exemplifies the essence of Danish Modernism, characterized by its clean lines and organic forms. Crafted from oak, this lounge chair showcases the warmth and beauty of natural wood. The oak's grain patterns and rich color contribute to the chair's overall charm, making it a harmonious addition to a variety of interior styles. This hugging chair...
Fabric, Oak
$39,500
H 36.62 in W 24.81 in D 33.86 in
Mogens Voltelen 'Copenhagen' Lounge Chair in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Niels Vodder, Mogens Voltelen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Voltelen for Niels Vodder, lounge chair model ‘Copenhagen', beech, patinated leather, brass, Denmark, design 1936, made 1940s The Copenhagen lounge chair was designed by Moge...
Brass
Mogens Koch Folding Chairs MK-16, Rud Rasmussen, Copenhagen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in TOURS, FR
An original pair of Mogens Koch folding chairs model "MK-16" made at Rud Rasmussen, Copenhagen in the 1970s Mogens Koch designed the MK16 Fo...
Brass
Sold
H 44.3 in W 26.38 in D 33.08 in
For Rachel: Mogens Koch Wingback Chair and Ottoman in Cognac Leather (2/2)
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, wingback chair and ottoman model MK50, mahogany and leather, Denmark, design 1936, manufactured 1964-1979. Mogens Koch's wingback chair is inspired by...
Leather, Mahogany
Mogens Koch Wingback Chair and Ottoman in Cognac Leather
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, wingback chair and ottoman model MK50, mahogany and leather, Denmark, design 1936, manufactured 1964-1979. Mogens Koch's wingback chair is inspired by...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 43.71 in W 26.19 in D 35.83 in
Mogens Koch Wingback Lounge Chair in Mahogany and Cognac Leather
By Mogens Koch, Ivan Schlechter
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Ivan Schlechter, wingback chair and ottoman, cognac leather, mahogany, Denmark, design 1936, manufactured 1970. Elegant and comfortable armchair in mahogany and leat...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 43.71 in W 25.99 in D 36.23 in
Mogens Koch Wingback Lounge Chair in Mahogany and Cognac Leather
By Mogens Koch, Ivan Schlechter
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Ivan Schlechter, wingback chair and ottoman, cognac leather, mahogany, Denmark, design 1936, manufactured 1970. Elegant and comfortable armchair in mahogany and le...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 25.99 in
Pair of Classic Danish Lounge Chairs by Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, 1930s
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of classic lounge chairs in solid mahogany and patinated leather. Designed by Maa. Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen cabinetmakers in 1936. Great original condition.
Leather, Mahogany
Additional Chairs by Mogens Koch for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of three additional chairs by Mogens Koch. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Mahogany and black leather. The reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/D...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 43.71 in W 25.99 in D 35.44 in
Mogens Koch Wing-Back Lounge Chair with Stool by Cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare wingback easy chair with stool designed by Mogens Koch. Produced by cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussen in Denmark.
Leather, Mahogany