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.
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
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
Mogens Koch MK16 Folding Safari Chair for Cado, Denmark
By Mogens Koch, Cado
Located in Barcelona, ES
MK16 folding Safari chair designed in 1932 by Mogens Koch and produced in 1960's by Cado, Denmark. Stained beech wood, leather, brass and new canvas upholstery.
Brass
Danish Early 1950s Easy Lounge Chair
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Alfred Christensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A design that will just never go out of style. Classic Danish early 1950's Easy style lounge chair. Original grey wool fabric with diamond pattern. Strong presence and generous size....
Wool, Beech
Sold|$3,195
H 87 in W 50 in D 50 in
Mid-Century modern scandinavian chair Folding MK16 by Mogens Koch. New product.
By GETAMA, Mogens Koch
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
Danish Modern, Highback Lounge Chair, Elm, Wool, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Danish Mid-Century Modern, Highback Lounge Chair, Elm, Wool, Denmark, 1950s An organic modern lounge chair designed and produced in Denmark c. 1950s. This example has a wonderful hi...
Wool, Elm
Sold|$2,091
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 GETAMA, Mogens Koch
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
$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
$3,800 / set
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Danish Modern Lounge Chairs, Cherry-Red Velvet, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning pair of Danish lounge chairs from the 1950s, featuring a classic highback and a lowback chair. Solid legs and upholstered in deep cherry-red luxurious velvet, these chair...
Fabric, Velvet, 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
Vintage Mogens Lassen Lounge Chair from Denmark, circa 1950
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Mogens Lassen lounge chair From Denmark, Circa 1950. Very comfortable model, upholstered in a green mohair velvet. Excellent conditi...
Mohair, Velvet
1950s Danish Lounge Chair
Located in Praha, CZ
Newly upholstered. Wooden legs have been repolished.
Fabric, Wood
Walnut Folding Chair MK16 Mogens Koch for Interna
By Mogens Koch
Located in Vienna, AT
Safair armchairs, frame made of walnut and upholstered in leather. The folding safari chair was originally designed in 1932 for a church seating contest. Probably too progressive, it...
Leather, Walnut
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 Ivan Schlechter, Mogens Koch
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 Ivan Schlechter, Mogens Koch
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 Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
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 Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
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