Extendable coffee table model 5362, designed by Børge Mogensen, Fredericia, Denmark, 1960s

Description

Extendable coffee table model 5362, designed by Børge Mogensen, Fredericia, Denmark, 1960s

The extendable coffee table was designed by Børge Mogensen for the Danish manufacturer Fredericia Stolefabrik in the 1960s. It was catalogued under number 5362. The table is made of teak with a warm brown tone. Teak is highly durable and comes from four species of teak trees. Its high oil content means that water barely penetrates it. Thanks to its side leaves, the table can be extended to 160 cm in width, compared with its basic width of 80 cm. This is an example of Scandinavian functionalism. A label confirming its authenticity is located beneath the tabletop.

Børge Mogensen was born in 1914 and died in 1972. He was one of the pioneers who laid the foundations of Danish design as a culture of furniture design. His life’s ambition was to create durable and useful furniture that would enrich everyday life. Mogensen’s ideal was to create furniture with a restrained aesthetic. He believed that furniture should create a sense of calm and have a modest appearance that encouraged people to live unpretentious lives. In 1950, Mogensen opened a private design office, and shortly afterwards, in 1952, he began collaborating with the young interior architect and entrepreneur Andreas Graversen, who later became the owner of Fredericia Furniture. Mogensen received the Eckersberg Medal in 1950 and the C.F. Hansen Medal in 1972. In 1971, he and Andreas Graversen received the Danish Furniture Award for their contribution to the Danish furniture industry; in 1972, Mogensen was appointed Honorary Royal Designer. Examples of Mogensen’s designs can be seen in leading design museums around the world.

The company Fredericia was founded in 1911 as Fredericia Stolefabrik by the entrepreneur NP Ravnsø, who successfully ran the business until his death in 1936. From the very beginning, Ravnsø wanted his company to be known for exceptionally high quality, and during his tenure he employed only the most highly skilled craftsmen. This made Fredericia Stolefabrik known for high-quality furniture in a variety of styles. Fredericia’s first luxury collection was based on methodologies that were fashionable in Denmark in the 1920s, namely antique furniture in Central European and English styles. Fredericia was granted exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute a collection of chairs under the German Thonet brand in Scandinavia. Under the leadership of Børge Mogensen, Danish Coop FDB initiated a furniture programme aimed at revitalising Danish furniture culture and creating modern, functional and useful furniture.

The table is in original vintage condition. It has minor scratches associated with age and use.