Børge Mogensen armchairs

This is a rare pair of armchairs designed by Børge Mogensen and produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden during the 1950s. The design is executed in solid pine with natural saddle leather, utilizing a construction method that emphasizes exposed joinery, honest materials, and ergonomic structure. These chairs represent an early exploration by Mogensen into the potential of pine as a domestic material, interpreted here with Swedish timbercraft precision.

Each chair is constructed with a square-framed base and upright cylindrical legs, subtly tapered toward the foot. The rounded horizontal stretchers at the lower frame add structural reinforcement while maintaining visual lightness. The seat and backrest are formed from thick, untreated saddle leather, suspended between the pine elements and fastened with adjustable leather straps and metal buckles. The backrest floats slightly from the frame, with an arched tension, offering resilient support and a distinctive visual separation from the wood structure.

The pine used in the frame has developed a rich amber tone with fine linear grain, and the leather has acquired a deep patina ranging from mid-brown to cognac, showing signs of age and use in the form of creasing, slight discoloration, and wear around the fastening points. These features contribute to the character of the piece and speak to its handcrafted origins.

Børge Mogensen, known for his practical and user-focused design philosophy, created these chairs during a formative period of his career. His approach was rooted in the Danish functional tradition inherited from Kaare Klint, but Mogensen introduced a rustic simplicity and preference for robust materials that made his designs especially enduring. While many of his designs were produced in Denmark, this set represents a collaboration with Svensk Fur, a Swedish manufacturer known for their craftsmanship in solid pine and for facilitating some of Mogensen’s lesser-known but highly collectible pieces during the 1950s.

Svensk Fur, identified by the branded mark on the frame, produced a number of notable works during the post-war period, often in collaboration with forward-looking Scandinavian designers. Their work contributed to the broader Scandinavian modernist canon, particularly in rural and regional interpretations of modern design.

The chairs are in good vintage condition with visible signs of wear. The leather remains structurally intact and pliable, while the pine frames are stable and free from structural damage. The patina throughout is consistent with age and enhances the authenticity of the pieces.

Dimensions per chair: width 61.5 cm (24.21 inches), depth 50 cm (19.69 inches), height 77.5 cm (30.51 inches), seat height 43 cm (16.93 inches).