Børge Mogensen bureau

This is a rare example of the BM57 bureau, designed in 1957 by Danish furniture architect Børge Mogensen and produced by P. Lauritsen & Søn in Denmark. The piece is constructed from solid and veneered mahogany, featuring five graduated drawers with inset circular brass handles, characteristic of Mogensen’s attention to both functionalism and refined material detail.

The design demonstrates a rectilinear form with an emphasis on proportion and clarity. The frame stands on sled-style legs that extend from the vertical sides, elevating the carcass with architectural lightness. The drawer fronts are perfectly aligned in horizontal continuity, allowing the brass hardware to punctuate the surface rhythmically. The hardware itself is minimal but tactile, with a recessed circular shape and horizontal bar that reflects Mogensen’s preference for practical, understated solutions.

Mahogany, used extensively throughout the cabinet, presents a deep, reddish-brown tone with warm, even grain. The interior drawers are made from a contrasting light hardwood, joined with fine dovetail work, illustrating the cabinet’s high level of craftsmanship. The brass details have developed a soft patina that complements the wood’s warmth without compromising the clean modernist lines.

Børge Mogensen (1914–1972) was one of the most influential figures in Danish modernism, closely associated with the principles of functionalism and democratic design. A student of Kaare Klint at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Mogensen emphasized honest construction, clarity of purpose, and long-term usability. His work for FDB Møbler and later in his own practice set a benchmark for mid-century design in Scandinavia and abroad.

The producer, P. Lauritsen & Søn, collaborated with Mogensen during the mid-20th century on a number of now-iconic pieces. The firm was known for precision woodworking and was among the few workshops able to meet Mogensen’s standards for durable, rational furniture suited for everyday use.

This bureau remains in excellent original condition, showing only minor wear consistent with age and use. All joints are tight, the drawers run smoothly, and the surfaces retain an even, matte sheen. The piece stands as both a functional storage unit and a sculptural object, representing the best of postwar Danish cabinetmaking.

Dimensions are 70 cm wide by 50 cm deep by 90 cm high, which translates to approximately 27.6 inches wide, 19.7 inches deep, and 35.4 inches high.