Børge Mogensen table

This very rare console or library table was designed by Børge Mogensen in 1949 and produced by Erhard Rasmussen in Denmark. The table is executed in cherry wood with a veneered surface of wawona, a distinctive cut from California pine that reveals a richly patterned and highly figured grain. The combination of local Scandinavian craftsmanship and imported veneer material underscores the global reach and experimentation of Danish mid-century furniture design at this time.

The table has a long, rectangular form with gently rounded corners and six tapering legs. Each leg is shaped with an open triangular cut, creating a sense of lightness while maintaining structural stability. This interplay between solidity and openness reflects Mogensen’s architectural approach to furniture design, where function and construction were made visible without unnecessary ornament. The proportions of the piece suggest versatility, allowing it to serve both as a console table along a wall or as a freestanding library table.

Børge Mogensen (1914–1972) was one of the central figures of Danish functionalism, known for creating furniture that was practical, democratic, and enduring. A student of Kaare Klint, Mogensen inherited a design philosophy rooted in human scale and traditional craftsmanship, but he developed his own language characterized by robust construction and honest use of materials. This table, though rare, embodies his exploration of clarity, proportion, and materiality during the late 1940s, a formative period in his career.

The piece remains in good vintage condition, showing signs of use and a natural patina consistent with its age. The wawona veneer retains its striking surface character, while the cherry frame and legs display subtle wear that enhances the depth of the wood.

Dimensions: width 240 cm (94.5 in), depth 97 cm (38.2 in), height 63.5 cm (25 in)