Among the great mid-20th century Danish furniture designers, Børge Mogensen distinguished himself with his faith to traditional values of craftsmanship and honesty of materials.
While peers such as Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl and Arne Jacobsen designed some of the most striking and now iconic furnishings of the era, Mogensen focused on making chairs, sofas and other pieces that were simple, durable and comfortable — and in the long run perhaps more useful and better loved.
Mogensen studied under and later worked for Kaare Klint, a master cabinetmaker whose chief tenets were quality of construction and simplicity of line. Klint was a classicist, who believed that furniture forms should evolve from those of historical models. So, too, in his way was Mogensen, as two of his best-known earlier pieces attest.
His 1945 Spokeback sofa, with hinged arms that can be lowered to facilitate lounging, is a reinterpretation of the venerable Knole settee. With the oval silhouette of its plywood backrest and waterdrop-shaped cutouts, Mogensen’s Shell chair, designed in 1949, can be seen as a novel take on early 19th-century Empire side chairs.
Yet Mogensen shared the aesthetical sensibilities of his most forward-looking colleagues. His cabinets deploy the same spare geometries and lushly figured woods as those of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his disciple Florence Knoll, the chief difference being that Mies and Knoll used chrome steel for the frames and legs of their pieces. The brawny oak frames and slung leather seats and backrests of Mogensen’s Hunting chair (1950) and Spanish chair (1958) display the same hefty construction and appreciation of natural materials seen in the work of Charlotte Perriand and Sergio Rodrigues.
Mogensen designed for function more than sculptural effect. While his chairs may not be the first pieces in a décor to draw the eye, they are often the first to draw in those looking for a comfortable seat.
Find vintage Børge Mogensen dining tables, bookcases and other Scandinavian modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Børge Mogensen, Denmark, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful Mid-Century sofa combines simple yet elegant lines with striking vintage upholstery. Unique yet subtle vintage Danish design makes this a wonderful addition to any mod...
Fabric, Upholstery
Børge Mogensen Model 2223 Three-Seat Sofa, Wool, Denmark, 1963
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful three-seat sofa model no. 2223, designed by Børge Mogensen in 1963 and produced by Frederica Stolefabrik, Denmark, in original mustard green wool with white/beige stripes o...
Wool, Wood
$1,619
H 31.11 in W 84.65 in D 31.89 in
1960s, Danish design by Kurt Østervig, 3 seater sofa, model 57, original.
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design by Kurt Østervig for Rolschau Møbler. 3 seater sofa, model 57, in original very good condition: no smells and no stains. Original light green furniture velour, t...
Velvet, Teak
Børge Mogensen Sofa Model 211 New Upholstered
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Sofa, model 211 by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik 1956. Early production 1950s. Made in solid oak. We cleaned the sofa to preserve its old patina and got new straps, new c...
Wool, Velvet, Oak
Oak Sofa / Daybed, Model 4311/4312, by Børge Mogensen, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare sofa and daybed, model 4311/4312, designed by Børge Mogensen and produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark during the 1950s, is a quintessential example of Danish moder...
Brass
Mogensen 2333 Sofa
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 2333 3-seater sofa with rectangular sides was the last piece of furniture Børge Mogensen designed. The geometric design was the conclusion of Mogensen’s minimalist exclusive upholstered furniture...
Oak
Swedish Modern Sofa from Berga Möbler, Sweden, 1940s
By Berga Mobler
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant Swedish Modern sofa from Berga Möbler, with rounded lines and fun sculpted legs. Original mole colored plush upholstery.
Wood
$9,900
H 27.96 in W 90.95 in D 37.01 in
Leif Hansen "Model 62" Sofa for Kronen Møbelfabrikken, Denmark, 1960s
By Kronen, Leif Hansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
Leif Hansen’s Model 62 sofa is commonly referred to as the “Geisha” and was designed in 1959. This model is a strikingly elegant example of Danish modernism’s streamlined, luxurious aesthetic appeal to contemporary eyes. This three-seater sofa is made of two types of exotic woods and dressed in a premium light fabric. Its character is created by three main elements: the visually sectioned, fully upholstered body, the wooden accents on the arms, and the distinctively shaped legs. It says a lot when a model is representative not only of a designer, but also of a manufactory. So is the case with this Geisha sofa...
Fabric, Wood
Rare Midcentury Sofa by Tove & Edvard Kindt Larsen, 1950s
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, Thorald Madsens Snedkeri
Located in Lejre, DK
Sofa designed by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen for cabinetmaker Thorald Madsen. Made in Denmark, Great condition. Presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition at Design ...
Fabric, Oak
Børge Mogensen Two Seater Sofa for Fredericia Furniture
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Freestanding two seater sofa with legs of oak. Sides, back and loose cushions upholstered with natural tanned ox-hide. Model 2208. Manufactured and marked by Fredericia Stolefabrik.
Leather, Oak
