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.
MK 52 - 2 pers. sofa in original patinated leather by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
MK 52/2 - 2-seater sofa in patinated, nailed natural leather with a mahogany frame. Designed by Mogens Koch, made by Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier.
Leather, Mahogany
Additional Chairs by Mogens Koch for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A pair of additional chairs by Mogens Koch. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Mahogany and black leather. The reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Leather, Mahogany
Arne Vodder Sofa in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Arne Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Ivan Schlechter, sofa, patinated leather, teak, Denmark, design 1953, manufactured late 1950s-1960s. Elegant two-seat settee in admirable cognac leather and teak by ...
Leather, Teak
Mogens Koch ‘Mk-16’ Safari Chair for Rud Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
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
$3,306
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
$2,200
H 29.73 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Mogens Hansen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless com...
Leather, Beech
1940s Kaare Klint 3-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Praha, CZ
This rare three-seater sofa is a masterpiece of Danish Modern design by the legendary architect Kaare Klint. Produced by the prestigious furniture maker Rud. Rasmussen, this sofa is ...
Fabric, Wood, Textile, Upholstery
Vintage Chesterfield Sofa in Tan Patinated Leather
Located in TOURCOING, FR
A handsome and generously sized Chesterfield-style sofa upholstered in rich, naturally patinated tan leather. The deep-buttoned backrest showcases classic tufting, while the elegant ...
Leather
$22,000
H 35.83 in W 76.19 in D 30.32 in
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Sofa '5011' in Cognac Leather and Mahogany
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, sofa model '5011', leather, mahogany, Denmark, design 1935, made 1960s Kaare Klint originally designed the present three-seat sofa, known as 5011, in ...
Leather, Mahogany
Karl Wittmann Sofa in Patinated Grey Neck Leather 1980s
By Karl Wittmann, Wittmann
Located in Meer, VAN
Karl Wittmann Sofa in Patinated Grey Leather, Austria, 1980s. This modernistic sofa was designed early 1980s, by Karl Wittmann, for Wittmann Möbelwerkstätten. This Austrian furnitur...
Leather
$6,010
H 35.44 in W 24.22 in D 19.69 in
Armchair ‘The Red Chair’ Model 3758a Designed by Kaare Klint for Rud, Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint
Located in Stockholm, SE
Armchair ‘The Red Chair’ Model 3758A designed by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark, 1930s. Mahogany, leather upholstery, and brass. This example was produced after 1930. The design detailing of this magnificent chair...
Brass
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
Mid Century Leather Sofa By Mogen Hansen Denmark 1970s
By Mogens Hansen
Located in Hudson, NY
Luxurious leather sofa by Mogens Hansen, model #535. This sofa features gently curved track arms with soft, refined silhouettes. It's finished in supple leather with a soft, sun warm...
Wood, Leather
$2,309Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.75 in W 73.23 in D 23.63 in
3. Seater Sofa Made In Patinated Brown Leather By Arne Norell From 1970s
By Arne Norell, Vatne Møbler
Located in Lejre, DK
The three-seater sofa in brown patinated leather with a metal frame, designed by Arne Norell in 1970, is a distinctive example of Scandinavian furniture design from the 20th century....
Metal
Mogens Koch Sofa in Mahogany and Leather for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A little two-seat sofa with frame of mahogany upholstered with natural leather Designed by Mogens Koch in 1936 and made at cabinetmaker Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark.
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 31.11 in W 50.4 in D 22.84 in
Mogens Koch, Sofa, White Fabric and Oak from Statshospitalet, Sønderborg, 1936
By Mogens Koch
Located in High Point, NC
A very early Scandinavian modernist sofa with a visual language so purely functionalist it could have been designed today. Designed by Mogens Koch as part of the City Hospital of Søn...
Fabric, Oak