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.
$12,700 / item
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, Denmark, design 1928 Modular sideboard or book case by Danish designer Mogens Koch. This piece is constructed from elements ...
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
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
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
$24,669 / set
Mogens Koch Library in Mahogany for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch library in Mahogany. Three cabinets and six bookcases. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Mahogany
Mogens Koch Chest of Drawers for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch chest of drawers in mahogany. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Mahogany
Mogens Koch Cabinet and Bookcase for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet and a bookcase in stained oak. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØRREBROGADE/KØBENHAVN.
Oak
$23,880 / set
Mogens Koch Wall Unit of Mahogany for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch wall unit of mahogany. Two bookcases with removable inlays. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/...
Mahogany
$10,278 / item
Mogens Koch Chest of Drawers for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch chest of drawers in elm. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Elm
1970s Mogens Koch Set of three cabinets For Rud Rasmussen Cabinetmakers
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
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
Drawing cabinet in Oregon Pine by Mogens Koch
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
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 Pair of Cabinets in Oregon Pine for Rud, Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch pair of cabinets in Oregon pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØRREBROGADE/KØBENHAVN'
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 Pair of Cabinets in Elm for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch pair of cabinets in elm. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Elm
$22,517 / set
Mogens Koch Library in Oregon Pine for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch library in Oregon Pine. Three cabinets and six bookcases. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Pine
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
Mogens Koch Pair of Mahogany Cabinets for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch pair of wall-mounted cabinets in mahogany. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSEN / SNEDKERIER / 45 NØRREBROGADE / KØBENHAVN.
Mahogany
Mogens Koch Cabinet for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch wall-mounted cabinet in pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.
Pine
Pair of Mogens Koch Cabinets in Oak for Rud, Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinets in oak and maple. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Oak
Mogens Koch Set of Cabinets in Pine for Rud, Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch set of three cabinets in Pine. Removabel drawers in Maple. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Maple, Pine
Pair of Mogens Koch Cabinets in Oak for Rud, Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinets and bookcases in oak and maple. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Oak
Mogens Koch Cabinet and Vitrine for Rud, Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet with plinth and a vitrine. Removabel inlays and drawers. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Oak
Mogens Koch Cabinet and Bookcase for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet and a bookcase in black stained oak. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Oak
Mogens Koch Cabinets and Bookcases in Oak for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinets and bookcases in oak Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØ...
Oak
$8,127 / set
Mogens Koch Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A cabinet and two bookcases in ash. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Ash
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
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
$3,346 / item
Mogens Koch Cabinets in Oak for Rud, Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinets in oak. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.
Oak
Mogens Koch Cabinets and Bookcases in Oregon Pine for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinets and bookcases in Oregon pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKER...
Pine
$6,215 / set
Two Cabinets by Mogens Koch for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Two cabinets in ash by Mogens Koch. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Ash
Mogens Koch Cabinet for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet in Oregon Pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.
Pine