John Van Koert was integral to the rise in popularity of Scandinavian modern furniture during the mid-20th century all over the United States. The Canadian-born designer’s spare walnut coffee tables and elegant armchairs, for example — particularly those that he created for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture — reflected the influence of the era’s alluring Danish design and were prominently featured in the modern interiors of postwar American homes.
Originally from Manitoba, Van Koert moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend the University of Wisconsin. There he studied sculpture and trained in metalwork. Van Koert later taught design in the school’s art department. After World War II, Van Koert settled in New York City. He created jewelry for Harry Winston before shifting his focus to flatware and furniture design.
Van Koert found quick success with his flatware designs for Towle Silversmiths. His Contour set was part of the “Knife, Fork and Spoon” exhibition organized by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in the early 1950s. In 1954, he served as design director for the “Design in Scandinavia” exhibition, which toured Canada as well as the United States and featured hundreds of designs created in Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden by the likes of Kaj Franck, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finn Juhl and others.
Van Koert kept busy over the years. Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism during the postwar era with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile, Casa Del Sol and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by Van Koert.
In the early 1960s, Van Koert created a contemporary line for Richardson-Nemschoff, a furniture manufacturer based in the designer’s former stomping grounds of Wisconsin. During the early 1970s, he partnered with Sarreid Ltd., a brand that got its start sourcing materials from Spain and Italy and bringing the exceptional talents of European wood carvers, sculptors and painters to the forefront of American home decor.
On 1stDibs, find vintage John Van Koert seating, tables and storage pieces.
2 pc. Mid Century Surfboard Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in New York, NY
Rare two part coffee table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture, as part of their class Profile series, circa 1960’s. As the table consists of two separate pieces, it can...
Wood
Eye Shaped Cymbal Coffee Cocktail Table by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert
Located in New York, NY
Eye shaped formica top with medallion center motif, on decorative aluminum base. The top has damage at both pointed ends, and there is wear to the finish on the metal base. Not in p...
Aluminum
Large John Van Koert coffee Table
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Charleston, WV
38" wide x 16" tall, large walnut coffee table. John Van Korea for Drexel. This table has been refinished but maintains two flaws (photographed and shown in video), otherwise excelle...
Walnut
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
John Van Koert "Casa Del Sol" Parquetry Walnut End Table with Opening Top
By John Van Koert
Located in Chicago, IL
John Van Koert for Drexel side table or petite coffee table with walnut block parquetry top that flips up to reveal a storage area for remotes, magazines etc. Limed and bleached maho...
Mahogany, Walnut
1950's Drexel Profile K44 Extending Dining Table by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert, Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This Drexel Profile Model K44 extending dining table is both striking in scale and versatile in function. Its walnut and pecan top, supported by robust metal glides, opens effortless...
Fruitwood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Floating Surfboard Coffee Table, 1990s
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage mid-century modern surfboard coffee table made in Sweden circa 1995. This classic MCM piece features an oak finish, an elongated oval surfboard-shape 'floating' top, a maga...
Wood, Oak
Large Eye Shaped Sicilian Marble Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful eye shaped coffee table made in France in the early 1970s from a beautiful Sicilian wavy marble. The thick table surface is slick yet...
Marble
John Widdicomb Style Vintage Coffee Table Waterfall Coffee Table
Located in Rochester, NY
Gorgeous vintage statement piece! High impact waterfall design. A midcentury modern gem! 38” x 38” x 16”
Brass
$1,184Sale Price|30% Off
H 17.72 in W 55.52 in D 18.51 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Surfboard Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Particular coffee table from the 70s, top in mahogany veneer and metal base, the shape is reminiscent of a surfboard.
Metal
Mid Century Drexel Fontanella Bookmatched Top Fruitwood Coffee Table
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Drexel Fontanella Bookmatched Top Fruitwood Coffee Table, cocktail Table. Measures 50" in width, 20" in depth, 17" in height.
Cherry
$1,950
H 16.5 in W 46 in D 32 in
a Lovely Walnut coffee Table by Kip Stewart for the Drexel Declaration Line
By Drexel
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
This is a nice original example from Drexel, designed by Kip Stewart as part of the "Declaration" line from the 1960's. Its in nice original finish, it features a flip top that revea...
Walnut
Handcrafted English Walnut Modernist End Table
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted from the finest English walnut. These modernist low tables are acutely eye-catching but practical pieces of furniture. Bespoke handmade by master craftsmen in England and...
Walnut
$2,420
H 15.75 in W 55.9 in D 39.3 in
Italian Postmodern Eye or Teardrop Shaped Black Marble Coffee Table 1980s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in Italy in the 1980s, this teardrop or eye shaped coffee table sits on two graduated triangular pedestals at each corner. Low and wide, this would make a great cen...
Marble
$4,917Sale Price|40% Off
H 17 in W 60 in D 60 in
Large Bamboo and Glass Square Coffee Table by John McGuire
By John McGuire
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage 1970 square coffee table, designed by John McGuire, boasts a 60" x 60" glass top, 3/4" thick with a 1" bevel, offering a sleek and spacious surface. The distinctive base...
Rattan, Glass
$3,500 / set
H 22.25 in W 28 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored-John Van Koert “Profile” Travertine Top Side Tables for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Original Travertine Tops, Walnut Wood ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life,...
Travertine
$5,600
H 21 in W 36 in D 28.5 in
Vintage John Saladino Three-Leg Cocktail Table With Shaped Marble Top
By John Saladino
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With fine proportions and beautifully crafted three-legged coffee table by John Saladino, featuring a sculptural base supporting a refined marble top. Known for his timeless blend of...
Marble, Metal
1950's Drexel Profile K92 Cocktail Coffee Table by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Drexel Profile walnut and pecan cocktail or coffee table, model K92, circa 1950s. The rectangular low profile and streamlined top features a distinct recessed under-shelf raised on ...
Fruitwood, Walnut
Midcentury Bench / Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist bench or table by John Van Koert for Drexel, superior quality and construction. Scaled down version of the Classic dining table, simple, elegant design. solid and sturdy fr...
Mahogany
Mid Century Profile Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in New York, NY
Chic, stylish, architectural mid century modern coffee table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture as part of the classic Profile series, circa 1960’s. The table features ...
Wood
Rare 2 pc. Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A well crafted two piece mahogany and walnut coffee table with tapered ends and middle legs , the other legs are a T styled design . The top has great graining with nice details a ve...
Mahogany, Walnut
Sold
H 16.25 in W 72 in D 19.75 in
John Van Koert “Profile” Coffee Table for Drexel American Mid Century
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern coffee table was designed by American designer John Van Koert and manufactured by Drexel in the United States in the 1950s. Made of walnut wood, this coffee table’...
Walnut
Sold
H 14.25 in W 60 in D 24 in
John Van Koert Model K96 Walnut and Travertine Coffee Table for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Denton, TX
John Van Koert Model K96 walnut and travertine coffee table for Drexels "profile" line. Beautiful Walnut base with Italian travertine top. Very good original condition.
Travertine
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century Round Coffee Table
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid Century round coffee table. Table measures: 38 wide x 38 deep x 16.5 inches high Each piece of fur...
Wood
John Van Koert Leather Wrapped Oak Two-Tier Coffee Table
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Bainbridge, NY
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Collection leather & oak side table, coffee table. Circa 1960. Featuring a sturdy solid square oak framework with mottled muted green, bronze toned ...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 14 in W 60 in D 24 in
John Van Koert "Profile" Model K96 Coffee Table with Travertine Top for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning modern coffee table designed by John Van Koert in collaboration for Drexel's "Profile" line in the United States, circa 1960s. This stylish table also known as the Model K...
Travertine
John Van Koert for Drexel Casa Del Sol Coffee Table, 1958
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern octagonal coffee table designed by John Van Koert for the Casa Del Sol Collection for Drexel Furniture. The tabl...
Iron
like New John Van Koert Walnut Coffee Table, 1956
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Charleston, WV
John Van Koert, Drexel profile series USA, 1956, Walnut. Two-tier, coffee or cocktail table Measures: 54 wide x 20 deep x 16 inches tall. Produced in March 1956, this lovely ta...
Walnut
Casa Del Sol Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel Ebonized Mid Century
By John Van Koert
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Coffee table designed by John Van Koert for the "Casa Del Sol" collection by Drexel. Beautifully ebonized this table has cast copper toned metal t...
Aluminum