Børge Mogensen easy chair

This very rare and early easy chair was designed by Danish architect and furniture designer Børge Mogensen and produced by cabinetmaker Erhard Rasmussen in Denmark in 1949. The chair was originally presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition the same year, an important platform where Mogensen, along with other pioneering designers, helped define the Danish modern movement.

The chair features an organically sculpted form with a wide, curved backrest in teak that includes two pronounced cutouts, giving it a distinctive and airy appearance. The warm reddish-brown tones of the teak contrast harmoniously with the lighter, honey-colored beechwood base and frame. The seat is constructed from the same rich teak, with visible grain patterns enhancing its natural character.

The structure exhibits a combination of clean geometric lines and soft, rounded edges, characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian craftsmanship. The frame is slightly angled with braced legs for added stability, highlighting Rasmussen’s exceptional cabinetmaking skills. The joinery is precise and the natural materials are used to full advantage, showcasing the principles of honesty in construction and material that were central to Mogensen’s design philosophy.

The chair remains in very good original condition, showing minor signs of wear consistent with age and careful use. The surfaces have developed a light, even patina that further emphasizes the natural beauty of the wood.

Børge Mogensen (1914–1972) was one of the most influential designers in shaping Danish modernism. Trained as a cabinetmaker and architect, Mogensen worked under Kaare Klint at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and later became known for his functional, understated furniture intended for everyday use. His designs often aimed to merge simplicity with practicality, combining traditional craftsmanship with modernist ideals.

Erhard Rasmussen was a distinguished cabinetmaker whose workshop specialized in producing high-quality furniture for some of Denmark’s leading designers. Rasmussen’s pieces were frequently exhibited at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibitions, reflecting the highest standards of Danish craftsmanship of the era.

Dimensions are 54 cm wide, 63.5 cm deep, 72.5 cm high, with a seat height of 38 cm (21.25 inches wide, 25 inches deep, 28.5 inches high, and 15 inches seat height).