After almost seventy years, Fredericia is now reintroducing Børge Mogensen’s BM29 shelf, designed in 1956. An elegant and simple design handmade in Denmark, which just like much of Mogensen’s work, is as relevant today as it was then.
The BM29 shelf was designed by Børge Mogensen in 1956 and were exhibited the same year at the Furniture Fair in Fredericia, and later that year at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition. The shelf design was the first of its kind from Fredericia and attracted interest with its functional and timeless look. It was a design that, on inspection, revealed a particular subtlety with its discreet details, which are repeated in several of Mogensen’s other designs.
Now the BM29 shelf is being relaunched. Representing an honest design that both demonstrates Fredericia’s long-standing tradition and expertise in well-designed quality wooden furniture and exemplifies the close and long-standing collaboration with Mogensen as the head designer for the family business. The shelves’ functionality and simple aesthetic are a great example of Mogensen’s practical approach to design, which not only fulfils a purpose but also contributes to the look of the interior decor. An elegant design that is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship in its own right, and which provides the perfect setting for all the things you want to have on display in your home, whether arts and crafts, prints or mementos.
The BM29 shelf is versatile and brings a cosy feel to any room in the home. It comes in a choice of four different sizes allowing you to go from a simple two-shelf setup to a full wall of shelves. Two of the models come with a narrow desk shelf that can be used as a discreet and creative workspace for the small home office.
The shelves are made from furniture boards with veneered surfaces – an old technique that results in slim, elegant and sturdy shelves. The shelves are kept horizontal with delicately crafted shelf brackets, while the brackets are crafted from solid wood and fixed to the wall with discreet brass screws. BM29 shelf is handmade in Denmark and will be available in both oak and walnut treated with a matt lacquer.
Børge Mogensen
“MY GOAL IS TO CREATE ITEMS THAT SERVE PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM THE LEADING ROLE, INSTEAD OF FORCING THEM TO ADAPT TO THE ITEMS”
Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) was one of the most influential designers in shaping Danish Modern design and present day Fredericia’s founding designer from 1955 until his death in 1972. He found inspiration all over the world in his quest to create everyday objects that would endure for generations. Mogensen’s most recognised pieces were developed during his collaboration and friendship with Fredericia CEO Andreas Graversen.
Børge Mogensen was one of the pioneers that created the foundation for the Danish Design as a culture of furniture design. His life-long ambition was to create durable and useful furniture that would enrich people’s everyday lives, and he designed functional furniture for all parts of the home and society.
Mogensen’s ideal was to create furniture with a restrained aesthetic. He believed that furniture should create a sense of tranquillity and have a modest appearance that encourages people to live their lives unpretentiously. He was acclaimed for his masterful sense of materials and proportions, and for his ability to create beautiful and distinctive furniture by emphasising simple horizontal and vertical lines and surfaces – all in an attempt to create aesthetic clear designs that were easy to produce.
While working strictly within his self-imposed dogmas, Mogensen’s artistic temperament often led him to break his formal rules without abandoning their original intent. Thus Mogensen’s furniture can be described as both modest and very self-confident – just as their creator. Throughout his life Mogensen was one of the boldest voices in the critical debate on furniture design. He often criticised his peers for surrendering their artistic authenticity in favour of short-sighted fashions, but he always welcomed innovations that he found offered real progression. Mogensen preferred to work in refined, yet rustic, natural materials such as solid oak, natural leather, wool fabrics, and brass mountings.
”I DO BECOME MORE AND MORE NARROW IN MY DEVOTION. WITHIN A VERY LIMITED FIELD, I STRIVE TO LIVE OUT TO THE UTMOST BORDER OF POSSIBILITIES WITHIN BOTH THE MATERIAL AND THE SHAPE. SOMETIMES I CROSS THAT BORDER – AND THEN I LEARN”
Mogensen was a trained cabinet-maker and furniture designer at the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts before entering the school of furniture design at Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he was taught by Kaare Klint and graduated in 1941. Throughout his career Mogensen continued to defend the ideals of evolutionary design progression that were essential to the Klint School, while also expanding on the tradition. Contrary to Klint, Mogensen was not only inspired by the traditional cabinet-maker’s types and crafts – instead he adapted models planned for industrial production, as well as the more informal housing that emerged in the 1960’s.
In 1948 Mogensen participated in MoMA’s international furniture competition ”low-cost furniture”. Back home in Denmark, inspired by the exhibition, he experimented with plywood shells and fused the international modernist movement with his own design identity. Mogensen also found inspiration in ethnic arts & crafts, lithography and Japanese wooden carvings.
In 1950, Mogensen opened a private design office, and shortly after, in 1952 he began collaborating with young interior architect and entrepreneur, Andreas Graversen, who would later become owner of Fredericia Furniture.
Andreas Graversen’s acquisition of Fredericia in 1955 marked the start of more than a purely professional partnership with Børge Mogensen. Over the years, the two developed a strong friendship, fuelled by a common desire to create simple, high-quality furniture with enduring aesthetic appeal. They were equally dedicated and passionate to their crafts, and their partnership was often temperamental.
Mogensen’s most recognisable pieces were developed to fit Fredericia’s workshop. One reason for Mogensen’s immersive creativity at Fredericia was Graversen’s ability to follow him in his intentions and consistently fulfil his uncompromising demands for quality. To this day, Fredericia is the primary producer of Børge Mogensen’s furniture. Graversen and Mogensen’s high demands for quality, functionality and sense of material are still very much alive in our approach when developing new furniture today.
Mogensen received the The Eckersberg Medal 1950, as well as the highest architectural honours in Denmark, the C.F. Hansen medal, in 1972. In 1971 he and Andreas Graversen jointly received the Danish Furniture Prize for their contribution to the Danish furniture industry, and in 1972 Mogensen was appointed Honoury Royal Designer for Industry at the Royal Society of Arts in London. Examples of Mogensen’s designs can be seen in leading design museums around the world.
Børge Mogensen died in 1972, only 58 years old.
More design from Børge Mogensen:
Børge Mogensen’s Minimalist Table Bench now with paper cord weave – Carl Hansen & Søn
SINCE IT WAS FIRST PRESENTED IN 1958, BØRGE MOGENSEN’S TABLE BENCH HAS BEEN CHERISHED FOR …
My goal is to create items that serve people and give them the leading role, instead of forcing them to adapt to the items! Børge Mogensen
Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) was one of the most influential designers in shaping Danish Modern design …
Fredericia relaunches the Nesting Tables design by Børge Mogensen
The family-owned design brand reintroduces the BM375 Nesting Tables, a classic wooden design from the …
Børge Mogensen’s iconic J39 launches in artistic colours – Fredericia
Inspired by Japanese interiors and Danish avant-garde art in Mogensen’s home, the popular wooden chair, …
Timeless shelf design by Børge Mogensen relaunched – Fredericia
After almost seventy years, Fredericia is now reintroducing Børge Mogensen’s BM29 shelf, designed in 1956. …
Børge Mogensen’s popular J39 chair in new colours – Fredericia
The J39 chair stands as one of the strongest manifestations of Børge Mogensen’s unmatched ability …
This year, The J39 Mogensen Chair is celebrating its 75th birthday – Fredericia
75 years of J39 This year, The J39 Mogensen Chair is celebrating its 75th birthday, the chair …
Børge Mogensen’s Asserbo Series comprises a table and bench – Carl Hansen
CARL HANSEN & SON RELAUNCHES THE ASSERBO SERIES, DESIGNED BY BØRGE MOGENSEN FOR HIS OWN …
Børge Mogensen’s iconic J39 turns 75 years old – Fredericia
J39 has won the hearts of design enthusiasts worldwide for more than seven decades, and …
Mater is launching a collection of chairs and tables designed in 1958 by Børge Mogensen in an upcycled WASTE edition
Børge Mogensen Conscious Danish modern reimagined by Mater in an upcycled WASTE edition using their …
The Spanish Chair by Børge Mogensen crafted in American walnut – Fredericia
We are pleased to introduce The Spanish Chair by Børge Mogensen crafted in American walnut, …
The BM67 Coffee Table – Designed by Børge Mogensen in 1956 and launched by Fredericia
The BM67 Coffee Table has an understated authenticity that’s appealing to the modern conscious consumer. …
Discover our Outdoor Colletion designed by Børge Mogensen – Carl Hansen & Søn
Moving the attention to detail reserved for indoor furniture outside, Børge Mogensen’s Outdoor series is …
Introducing The Lynderup Chair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia
In 1954 Børge Mogensen designed the Lynderup Chair. A chair that connects the past to …
Rest in style – Carl Hansen & Søn in a unique collaboration with DUX by Børge Mogensen
BM0555 X DUX CH18 A bed isn’t merely an investment piece for a good night’s …
DUX in collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn presenting a bed by Børge Mogensen
DUX in a unique collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn Presenting a bed in design …
The BM5565 Deck Chair with integrated footrest by Børge Mogensen – Carl Hansen
Børge Mogensen’s outdoor series, which was first introduced to Carl Hansen & Son’s collection of …
Børge Mogensen’s flexible shelving system in production for the first time
Carl Hansen & Son is expanding its Børge Mogensen collection with a flexible storage system …
Børge Mogensen’s BM0488 Table Bench is being relaunched
Shown for the first time at the 1958 Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition on a …
Børge Mogensen’s BM0865 Daybed relaunched
Shown for the first time at the 1958 Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Furniture Exhibition on a …
The Black Canvas Chair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia
Simple, Structural with a Strong Presence The Canvas Chair is one of the last pieces …
The Red Spanish Special Edition 2020 – Fredericia
Introducing a special edition of The Spanish Chair and The Spanish Dining Chair in Deep …
BM61 Chair & BM62 Armchair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia
Carefully Calibrated for Comfort Slender yet solid, simple yet striking, the BM61 Chair and BM62 …
The Canvas Chair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia
Simple, Structural with a Strong Presence The Canvas Chair is one of the last pieces …
Spanish Dining Chair – Fredericia
SPANISH DINING CHAIR – RETURN OF AN ICON Fredericia revisits the Spanish Dining Chair designed …
The Børge feeling – Fredericia
What sets Børge Mogensen apart from any other designer? It’s all captured in the Spanish …
Børge Mogensen kopieret af Ralph Lauren
Børge Mogensen kopieret af Ralph Lauren november 30, 2016 by Erik Theil Det ses fra …
No. 1 now as an armchair by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia
BUILDING ON A SUCCESS STORY-NO.1 NOW AS AN ARMCHAIR Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) lacked neither opinions …
Spanish Chair in new tonalities design by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia
THE SPANISH CHAIR IN NEW TONALITIES It was in 1955 that Fredericia Furniture entered into …
J39 dining chair in six new colours by Børge Mogensen – Fredericia
FREDERICIA’S J39 CHAIR IN SIX NEW COLOURS The J39 dining chair is one of Børge …
Børge Mogensen 100 years, 23/1–19/10 2014
“My goal is to try to generate things that will serve people, and place the …