This pair of Mogens Koch’s “MK 16” armchairs are made of Brazilian wood and feature black leather seats, backs and armrests with a vertically foldable frame. The chairs have brass plaques with Mogens Koch’s and the manufacturer’s name as well as the productions place.

The MK16 model has been widely referred to as the “Safari” or “Folding” chair. Originally it was designed in 1932, but the forward-thinking concept was deemed too radical in its expression at the time of its inception. Therefore, it was not fully taken into production until the 1960s, when the furniture manufacturer Interna released it as the MK16 chair. Koch designed the Folding Chair for a supplemental church seating contest, reinterpreting the traditional folding stool. He paired the easy folding mechanism with storage functionality and modern aesthetics, ultimately leading to the model’s popularity.

These folding chairs are made of Brazilian wood, giving them a luxurious appearance. The dark wood seat and back are upholstered with black leather. The armrests are made of the same leather and are secured to the frame with brass rings. The brass rings not only attach the seating to the frame, but also serve a functional and aesthetic role. The high-quality materials and the simplicity of the design create a nice balance. As it is seen in these chairs, Mogens Koch’s designs display some of the most elegant solutions to the requirements of function and aesthetics.

SOLD

Condition:

In beautiful vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:

22.05 in. W x 19.69 in. D x 34.26 in. H; seat height 15.75 in.

56 cm W x 50 cm D x 87 cm H; seat height 40 cm

Literature:

Danish Chairs, Oda Noritsugu, p 38

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.