Børge Mogensen dining chairs

This is a set of six dining chairs, model Öresund, designed by Danish architect and designer Børge Mogensen and produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik in Denmark in 1958.

Each chair is constructed from solid oak with a warm, medium-tone finish, and features an organically curved backrest joined to cylindrical rear legs, which extend slightly beyond the top edge in a typical Mogensen detail. The seats are upholstered in original patinated brown leather, which exhibits surface marks and wear consistent with age and use, contributing to the authentic vintage character of the set. The chairs are built with a sturdy, rectilinear oak frame and horizontal stretchers between the legs for structural stability. The seating surface is slightly curved for ergonomic comfort, and the upright, modestly angled backrests are gently contoured, offering a balance between functional support and minimal design expression. The joinery is traditional and exposed in select areas, such as the plugged dowels visible on the rear side of the backrest, indicative of Mogensen’s appreciation for craftsmanship and honesty in construction.

Børge Mogensen (1914–1972) was one of the key figures in Danish modern design and a student of Kaare Klint. Known for his rational, utilitarian approach, Mogensen aimed to create democratic, practical furniture that could be mass-produced without compromising quality. The Öresund series was conceived in the late 1950s as part of his mission to furnish contemporary Scandinavian homes with well-made, understated pieces that prioritized functionality and material integrity. The chairs were produced by Fredericia Stolefabrik, a Danish manufacturer with which Mogensen maintained a close collaboration from the early 1950s onward. Fredericia became one of the most important producers of mid-century Danish furniture, known for their emphasis on traditional woodworking techniques and their role in disseminating the core principles of Danish modernism globally. Stylistically, the Öresund model reflects the understated elegance of mid-century Scandinavian design with an emphasis on tactile materials and clarity of form. The use of solid oak combined with natural leather exemplifies the harmonious relationship between structure and material that Mogensen consistently pursued.

The condition of the chairs is good, with visible wear to the leather seats, including discoloration and patina, and minor surface wear to the wood consistent with age and use. The frames remain structurally sound and present well.

Each chair measures 50.5 cm in width, 47 cm in depth, and 73 cm in height, with a seat height of 44 cm, which corresponds approximately to 19.9 inches wide, 18.5 inches deep, 28.7 inches high, and a seat height of 17.3 inches.