Mogens Koch bookcase

This set of five bookcases was designed by the Danish architect and designer Mogens Koch and produced by Rud Rasmussen in Copenhagen. The bookcases are executed in teak, a material widely used in Danish modern furniture for its durability and rich tonal variation. Each case is composed of square compartments, carefully proportioned to create an adaptable and modular storage solution. The design was originally conceived in 1928 and put into production in 1933, reflecting Koch’s functionalist approach to architecture and furniture, where structure, clarity, and adaptability were central values.

The surfaces display the deep, warm brown hues typical of aged teak, with natural grain patterns that vary subtly across each module. Their rectilinear form emphasizes functionality over ornament, while the fine craftsmanship by Rud Rasmussen highlights the precision of the joinery. Visible dovetail joints and carefully finished edges testify to the workshop’s reputation for excellence in cabinetmaking, which was a cornerstone of Danish furniture tradition throughout the twentieth century.

Condition is good vintage with signs of usage consistent with age, including a developed patina that enhances the depth of the wood surface. This patina is not considered a flaw but an integral part of the character of early Scandinavian modern furniture, where material honesty and longevity were valued.

Mogens Koch, trained as an architect and working under Kaare Klint, designed furniture that would become emblematic of the Danish modern ethos. His bookcases were conceived as modular units that could be used alone, stacked, or combined, offering versatility in both private and public interiors. Rud Rasmussen, one of Denmark’s most esteemed cabinetmakers, was responsible for producing many of the most important designs of the period, working with figures such as Kaare Klint, Mogens Koch, and Børge Mogensen.

These bookcases represent a synthesis of Scandinavian functionalism, architectural thinking, and artisanal craftsmanship. They belong to the early wave of modern Danish furniture that would come to define mid-century Scandinavian design internationally.

Dimensions each: width 76 cm (29.9 in), depth 27.5 cm (10.8 in), height 76 cm (29.9 in).