Rare Mogens Koch Pair of MK51 Easy Chairs
View Similar Items
Rare Mogens Koch Pair of MK51 Easy Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Rud Rasmussen (Cabinetmaker),Mogens Koch (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 24.02 in (61 cm)Depth: 25.6 in (65 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU89102533212
Mogens Koch
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.
Rud Rasmussen
Exemplary designs for wood chairs, cabinets, desks and tables are part of the legacy associated with Rud Rasmussen, an iconic Danish furniture manufacturer that collaborated with some of the world’s best known and universally revered Scandinavian modernists.
Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier was established in 1869 in Copenhagen. The workshop’s founder, cabinetmaker Rudolph Rasmussen, was raised in a family of carpenters and had initially specialized in oak furniture. It wasn’t long before the business had grown — in 1876, Rasmussen was operating out of a four-storey factory, and by the end of the 19th century, the manufacturer had forged relationships with esteemed Danish architects including Vilhelm Dahlerup and Thorvald Bindesbøll.
With Rudolph Rasmussen's passing in 1904, the founder’s sons, Rudolph and Victor, took control of the company. They realized their father's dream of expanding the business — the firm had by then been accepting commissions from Copenhagen City Hall and was soon producing furniture for the likes of the police station, the postal service, ministries, technical universities and hospitals. More longstanding collaborations with legendary cabinetmakers and architects came into play, too.
Rud Rasmussen partnered with Mogens Koch, Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Kaare Klint, the founder of the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The manufacturer is known to collectors for producing Koch’s versatile bookcases, and, in 1933, Rud Rasmussen debuted Klint’s Safari chair — a clever and timeless interpretation of campaign furniture.
Carl Hansen and Søn acquired Rud Rasmussen in 2011.
Find vintage Rud Rasmussen seating, case pieces and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- Mogens Koch Three-Piece Modular SofaBy Rud Rasmussen, Mogens KochLocated in London, GBOregon pine and original chequered fabric three piece modular sofa by Mogens Koch. Designed to work with the cabinets designed at the same time for Rud Rasmussen. Can be set up as a day bed as well as individual sofa...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsPine
$5,317 / set - Black Leather Hammock Chair, Mogens Voltelen, circa 1930By Mogens VoltelenLocated in London, GBThe interplay of straight and curved lines within the chair’s design is very visually satisfying. The rhythm of lines is evident not only in the mahogany wood frame but within the leather too. The seat and back having a hammock construction mean the leather is allowed to bow naturally. The continuous curve that the back legs are carved into and the apron (wooden rail across the front) at the front of the chair both echo the exact arc of the leather hammock...Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Easy Chair Model 39 by Kai Lyngfeldt Larsen & Søren Willadsen, Denmark, 1965By Søren Willadsen, Kai Lyngfeldt LarsenLocated in London, GBA rare example of Kai Lyngfeldt Larsen's Easy Chair, Model 39, with matching footstool. Produced by Søren Willadsen from 1965. The rectilinear oak bases of both the chair and footsto...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Ole Wanscher Pair of ArmchairsBy Ole WanscherLocated in London, GBPair of top quality armchairs by Ole Wanscher and the master cabinetmaker A J Iversen.Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
$13,721 / set - Pair of Beech 'Bastiano' Lounge Chairs, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1960By Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBA pair of black leather and beech 'Bastiano' lounge chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1960. Scarpa designed these chairs as a part of the firm's experimental design studio. Based on Le Corbusier's segmented design concept, Scarpa replaced the cold steel design of Le Corbusier's original with a solid wooden base – resulting in a solid and weighty appearance, married with a beautiful warmth. We believe these to be early 1970s examples, produced shortly after Knoll acquired Gavina SpA...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Brutalist Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Jan Bočan Pair of Bent Walnut and Wool Conference Hall ArmchairsBy Jan BočanLocated in London, GBPrice for pair. Specifications: Designer: Jan Bocan Maker: Ton Date of design: 1968-70 Date of manufacture: Before 1972 Materials: Bent laminated walnut wood and wool Wid...Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Walnut
- Mogens Koch Pair of Folding Chairs for Rud. RasmussenBy Rud Rasmussen, Mogens KochLocated in Copenhagen, DKMogens Koch pair of folding chairs in oak and leather. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen, Denmark.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Teak Mogens Koch MK-16 Safari ChairBy Mogens KochLocated in Montreal, QCTeak 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 ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Armchairs
MaterialsRosewood
- Valmazan Folding Safari Chair in the Style of Mogens Koch Mk-16By Mogens Koch, ValmazanLocated in Oakland, CAFolding campaign / Safari chair in the style of Mogen Koch's Mk-16, in black leather with a oak frame and brass accent hardware, a very well piece of furniture. Thick stitched leathe...Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Folding Safari / Directors Chair Mogens Koch MK-16 Interna, Denmark, 1960sBy Mogens KochLocated in Rosendahl, DEBeautifully patinated safari chair by Mogens Koch, manufactured in the 1960s.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsCanvas
- Mogens Koch Pair of Folding Chairs for InternaBy Mogens Koch, Interna DenmarkLocated in Copenhagen, DKMogens Koch pair of folding chairs in beech and canvas. Executed by Interna, Denmark.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
$3,057 / set - Mogens Koch ‘Mk-16’ Safari Chair for Rud RasmussenBy Mogens Koch, Rud RasmussenLocated in Esbjerg, DKMogens 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...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
$1,572 Sale Price20% Off