Mogens Koch's most famous piece of furniture is the square book case which was designed for his own home in 1928. This bookcase reflects the Danish designer’s aesthetic that was clean and highly functional, creating pieces that stand out despite their restrained design.

A “bogkasse”, or bookcase is an essential and timeless piece of furniture in Scandinavian homes. Mogens Koch is one of the best known and adored Danish designers who created models with versatile and functional options from solid wood. This oak bookcase is an exemplary Koch design, with six, symmetrical open compartments. The design is particularly flexible, it can be placed both horizontally and vertically, on the floor, or even hanging on a wall thanks to the pre-drilled holes. The fixed shelves are perfect in size to showcase books or any other objects of various sizes. Without any plinths, this bookcase is even more impressive in its size. The light oak’s grain and pattern is very prominent, creating an organic look, where the simple design enhances the natural qualities of the material. The dovetail joinery is another detail that signals expert craftsmanship, which is a given since the manufacturer of this bookcase was Rud. Rasmussen Snedkerier, known as one of Denmark’s oldest cabinetmaking workshops.

Rud. Rasmussen, also known as Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier, was a manufacturer of wooden furniture based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The workshop was founded by Rudolph Rasmussen in 1869 and collaborated with some of the leading Danish furniture designers of the 20th century. The workshop specialized in artistically designed oak tree furniture. In the 1920s, Rud Rasmussen began to collaborate with architects such as Kaare Klint and Mogens Koch. The firm combined centuries-old traditions with new techniques to create modern Danish furniture of the highest quality.

 SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some stains and marks on the wood.

Dimensions:

29.92 in W x 10.82 in D x 30.11 in H

76 cm W x 27.5 cm D x 76.5 cm H

About the designer:

Mogens Koch (1898-1992) was a Danish architect and furniture designer, and professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts between 1950 and 1968.

Koch was born in the Frederiksberg district of Copenhagen and studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Following his graduation, he worked for Carl Petersen, Ivar Bentsen and Kaare Klint, where he was trained according to the Danish functional tradition. Koch’s designs with their functional solutions testify of his analytical and creative mind.

The focus of his work is on the simplicity of form and functionality. For Koch, the object’s purpose led the way, not traditional ornamentation or decoration. During his lifetime, Morgens Koch was awarded several prizes, including the Eckersberg Medal in 1938 and the C. F. Hansen Medal in 1963. In 1964, he was awarded the Cabinet-Makers’ Guild annual prize and the Danish Furniture Manufacturers Association's Furniture Award in 1982.

To this day, Koch’s works – which included homes, monuments, building extensions, graphic design, objects for the home and, of course, furniture – stand out as original examples of universal utility. ~H.