RARE MOGENS KOCH BUREAU, DENMARK, c. 1930
View Similar Items
RARE MOGENS KOCH BUREAU, DENMARK, c. 1930
About the Item
- Creator:Mogens Koch (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 55.5 in (140.97 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 26.75 in (67.95 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1934
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Desk Height 29.5".
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: FURN5311stDibs: f88601606024830353fs
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.
- 1940s Danish Pine Wardrobe by Mogens Koch for Rud RasmussenBy Mogens Koch, Rud RasmussenLocated in Sagaponack, NYA two-door solid pine wardrobe with a dovetailed case and sliding brass hanger rod.Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsPine
- Mogens Koch Cabinet for Rud. RasmussenBy Mogens Koch, Rud RasmussenLocated in Copenhagen, DKMogens Koch cabinet in Oregon Pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsPine
- Mogens Koch Bookcases for Rud. RasmussenBy Mogens Koch, Rud RasmussenLocated in Copenhagen, DKA cabinet and two bookcases in ash. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsAsh
$7,505 / set - Mogens Koch Cabinet for Rud. RasmussenBy Mogens Koch, Rud RasmussenLocated in Copenhagen, DKMogens Koch cabinet in mahogani. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMahogany
- Mogens Koch Cabinet for Rud. RasmussenBy Mogens Koch, Rud RasmussenLocated in Copenhagen, DKMogens Koch wall-mounted cabinet in pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen Reverse with paper label ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsPine
- Mogens Koch Three Cabinets for Rud. RasmussenBy Mogens Koch, Rud RasmussenLocated in Copenhagen, DKMogens Koch three cabinets of Elm. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with manufacturer's paper label Rud. Rasmussen / Snedkerier / Nørrebrogade / K...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsElm
$3,267 / item