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 Rud Radmussen Monumental Modular Bookcase in Mahogany
By Mogens Koch
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, modular bookcase, mahogany, Denmark, design 1928 Modular book case or wall unit by Danish designer Mogens Koch. This piece is constructed from multipe...
Mahogany
Mogens Koch for Rud Radmussen Modular Bookcase in Mahogany
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, modular bookcase, mahogany, Denmark, design 1928 Modular sideboard or book case by Danish designer Mogens Koch. This piece is constructed from eleme...
Mahogany
$12,700 / item
Mogens Koch for Rud Radmussen Modular Bookcase in Pine
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, modular bookcase, pine, Denmark, design 1928 Modular sideboard or book case by Danish designer Mogens Koch. This piece is constructed from elements ...
Pine
Mogens Koch for Rud Radmussen Modular Bookcase in Pine
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, modular bookcase, pine, glass, Denmark, design 1928 Modular sideboard or book case by Danish designer Mogens Koch. This piece is constructed from el...
Glass, Pine
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen Tall Cabinet or Wardrobe in Mahogany
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen, tall cabinet or wardrobe, mahogany, mirrored glass, brass, Denmark, design 1928 Tall cabinet or wardrobe by Danish designer Mogens Koch. The interior...
Brass
Mogens Koch Modular Bookcase Wall System for Rud. Rasmussen Denmark 1955c.
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Chicago, IL
Mogens Koch Modular Bookcase Wall System for Rud. Rasmussen Denmark 1955c. Denmark, circa 1955–60 Pine with brass hardware Set of fifteen modules: ten bookcase sections and five cabi...
Brass
Pair of Mogens Koch Pine Bookcases by Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Koch (1898–1992). A pair of bookcases crafted in solid pine by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen, circa 1950–1960. Each cabinet bears the maker’s label on the reverse. The bookcases ...
Pine
Modular bookcase in Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch, Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark, 1950s
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool and practical modular bookcase system by Mogens Koch, made from Oregon pine. It includes eight sections that can be combined in various ways. There are three bases for the botto...
Pine
Mogens Koch Library in Mahogany by Rud Rasmussen, 1960s Scandinavian
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mogens Koch library in Mahogany. Three cabinets and nine bookcases. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Mahogany
Mogens Koch Mahogany Cabinet and Bookcase for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Koch, 1898-1992 Cabinet with matching bookcase and plinth, crafted in solid mahogany by Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark, 2008 (maker’s label present). A beautifully proportioned and ...
Mahogany
Tall cabinet in oak by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Tall cabinet in solid patinated oak with matching base.
Brass
Mogens Koch Composite Book Case System in Solid Oak, Rud Rasmussen, 1950s
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Odense, DK
Early edition MK Book Case shelving system by Mogens Koch. Executed in solid oakwood by Rud Rasmussen, Copenhagen in the 1950s. The lot consists of : 4 Bookcases: H: 76 W: 76 D: 28 ...
Oak
Mogens Koch Teak Wall Shelf for Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1960s
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Praha, CZ
Iconic Danish modern wall-mounted shelving unit designed by Mogens Koch and produced by Rud Rasmussen in the 1960s. Crafted from solid teak, this modular bookcase features a balanced...
Teak
Mogens Koch Solid Oak Modular Bookcases
By Mogens Koch
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mogens Koch solid oak modular bookcases with removable plinths by Rud Rasmussen. Denmark c. 1950s. One unit available. Measurements: Each unit measures 30” width, 11” depth, 30...
Oak
A Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen Bookshelf in Teak Danish Mid Century Vintage
By Mogens Koch
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A single cabinet or book case by Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen in teak. The case is signed and numbered and measures 30x30x11" without the base.
Teak
Pair of Wall-Mounted Bookcases in Solid Teak by Mogensen Koch
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of wall-mounted units in solid teak. Designed by Mogens Koch for Rud. Rasmussen cabinetmakers in 1933. Made in Denmark. Great original condition.
Teak
Wardrobe in solid oak by Mogens Koch
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Wardrobe in patinated oak with clothes rail and two shelves. Manufacturer's label from Rud Rasmussen, designed by Mogens Koch.
Brass
1970s Mogens Koch Set of three cabinets For Rud Rasmussen Cabinetmakers
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in London, GB
A finely crafted set of three cabinets by celebrated Danish architect and designer Mogens Koch, made circa 1970s and produced by Rud Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, Copenhagen. Executed in ...
Cherry
Set of Four Cabinets in Solid Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch, 1960s
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of four cabinets in oregon pine. Designed by Mogens Koch in 1933 and made by Rud Rasmussen cabinetmakers. original condition.
Pine
Mogens Koch Cabinets Set of Six for Rud Rasmussens Snedkerier, Denmark 1960
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Chicago, IL
Mogens Koch Cabinets set of Six for Rud Rasmussens Snedkerier, Denmark, 1960.This set consists of three bookcases, each uniquely designed. One cabinet features two doors concealing f...
Elm
Pair of Wall Mount Display Cabinets in Pine by Mogens Koch, 1960s
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of Vitrines in pine with sliding glass doors. Designed by Maa. Mogens Koch in the 1930,s. Perfect for wall mounting also. Edited by Rud Rasmussen cabinet makers in the 1960s ....
Pine
$9,710 / set
Bookcases in Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch, 1933
By Mogens Koch
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bookcases in Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch, 1933 Additional Information: Material: Oregon pine Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussen in Denmark Dimens...
Pine
Large Set of Bookcases in Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch, 1933
By Mogens Koch
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large Set of Bookcases in Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch, 1933 Additional Information: Material: Oregon pine Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by...
Pine
Large Set of Bookcases in Oregon Pine, Glass by Mogens Koch, 1933
By Mogens Koch
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Large Set of Bookcases in Oregon Pine, Glass by Mogens Koch, 1933 Additional Information: Material: Oregon pine, glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavi...
Pine
Mogens Koch chest of drawers in teak, cabinetmaker Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A decorative and highly functional Mogens Koch Chest of Drawers or drawing cabinet in teak. Designed 1928 and made at cabinetmaker Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen with manufacture's mark....
Mahogany
Mogens Koch cabinet in elm by Rud Rasmussen, 1960s Scandinavian
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet in elm. Doors with shelfes behind. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Elm
Set of 6 Mogens Koch Cabinets for Rud Rasmussen, Circa 1950, Denmark
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Set of 6 Mogens Koch Cabinets for Rud Rasmussen, Circa 1950, Denmark. Made of Oregon Pine Wood. Plinthe 3 Original Keys Original Label CONDITION: Good condition. Wear...
Pine
Drawing cabinet in Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Drawing cabinet in solid patinated Oregon pine with 8 drawers. Marked by the manufacturer Rud Rasmussen and designed by Mogens Koch.
Pine
Mogens Koch Cabinet & Bookcase in Ash Wood by Cabinetmaker Rud, Rasmussen.
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Koch, 1898-1992 Mogens Koch storage system in ash wood manufactured by Rud. Rasmussen, 1960-1970. In all units 7 & 3 plinths. Set of three cabinets, three bookcases + 1 bookca...
Ash
$12,358 / set
Mogens Koch Bookcase Storage System In Ash Wood
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mogens Koch, 1898-1992,. Mogens Koch storage system in ash manufactured by Rud. Rasmussen, 1960's. Set of three cabinets and three bookcases in patinated solid elm on three bases. R...
Ash
Drawing cabinet in mahogany by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Drawing cabinet in solid patinated mahogany with 8 drawers. Marked from manufacturer Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier and designed by Mogens Koch.
Mahogany
Cabinet In Mahogany By Mogens Koch For Rud. Rasmussen From 1970s
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Lejre, DK
Classic mahogany cabinet, designed by Mogens Koch and produced by Rud. Rasmussen in the 1970s. The cabinet has two doors with internal shelves, which provides practical and flexible ...
Mahogany
$12,812 / item
Drawing cabinet by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Drawing cabinet in solid teak w. 6 drawers. By Mogens Kohc / Rud. Rasmussen
Teak