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John Van Koert Cabinets

Canadian, American, 1912-1998

John Van Koert was integral to the rise in popularity of Scandinavian modern furniture during the mid-20th century all over the United States. The Canadian-born designer’s spare walnut coffee tables and elegant armchairs, for example — particularly those that he created for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture — reflected the influence of the era’s alluring Danish design and were prominently featured in the modern interiors of postwar American homes.

Originally from Manitoba, Van Koert moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend the University of Wisconsin. There he studied sculpture and trained in metalwork. Van Koert later taught design in the school’s art department. After World War II, Van Koert settled in New York City. He created jewelry for Harry Winston before shifting his focus to flatware and furniture design. 

Van Koert found quick success with his flatware designs for Towle Silversmiths. His Contour set was part of the “Knife, Fork and Spoon” exhibition organized by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in the early 1950s. In 1954, he served as design director for the “Design in Scandinavia” exhibition, which toured Canada as well as the United States and featured hundreds of designs created in Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden by the likes of Kaj Franck, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finn Juhl and others.

Van Koert kept busy over the years. Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism during the postwar era with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile, Casa Del Sol and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by Van Koert.

In the early 1960s, Van Koert created a contemporary line for Richardson-Nemschoff, a furniture manufacturer based in the designer’s former stomping grounds of Wisconsin. During the early 1970s, he partnered with Sarreid Ltd., a brand that got its start sourcing materials from Spain and Italy and bringing the exceptional talents of European wood carvers, sculptors and painters to the forefront of American home decor.

On 1stDibs, find vintage John Van Koert seating, tables and storage pieces.

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Creator: John Van Koert
John Van Koert, Cabinet, Oak, Brass, USA, 1950s
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and brass cabinet designed by John Van Koert and produced by Drexel, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Vintage Drexel "Meridian" Cabinet by John Van Koert
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home out-of-this-world vintage design with the "Meridian" series from Carolina's Drexel Furniture! Designed by American modern pioneer John Van Koert, it features carved oak an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Cabinets

Materials

Brass

An American 1960s Tri-front Walnut 2-Door Cabinet by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert
Located in San Francisco, CA
the 3-sided top above a paneled conforming body centering double-doors fitted with a solid brass latch; John Van Koert was a prominent New York designer who helped promote the fascin...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

John Van Koert 2pc. Cabinet for Drexel Profile
By John Van Koert
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A two piece cabinet with lower sideboard having four drawers one with dividers and two doors to each side with an adjustable shelve . The sculptural pulls are in a satin chrome , the top piece has two adjustable long shelves...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Petite Ash Sideboard Cabinet by John Van Koert for Drexel Profile
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite, ash, sideboard or cabinet by John Van Koert for Drexel with fantastic lines features 2 drawers at 2.5 and 3.5 inches height with curved, anodized aluminum handles. Height to ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Cabinets

Materials

Brass

John Van Koert Casa del Sol Tawny Walnut and Stenciled Tall Cabinet
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Chicago, IL
From John Van Koert's Casa del Sol collection for Drexel. Two-piece tall cabinet in bleached walnut, with original hand stenciled green and yellow floral detail on the upper cabinet doors. Pair of upper doors with silver-polished nickel pulls...
Category

1950s American Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

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Materials

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Cabinet Mahogany Veneer Brass, Italy, 1950s
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Two oak bedside cabinets by Meredew. The 'handed' cupboards (hinged on both left and right) have a single fixed shelf inside. Simple and elegant.
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Pair of Meredew Bedside Cabinets in Oak, 1950s
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John Van Koert Designed 'Counterpoint' for Drexel
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Category

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Oak Cabinet by Borge Mogensen, Sweden 1950s
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Oak Cabinet by Borge Mogensen, Sweden 1950s
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H 81.89 in W 46.86 in D 20.48 in
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Previously Available Items
Mid Century China Cabinet by John Van Koert Profile for Drexel 1950's
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Drexel Profile china cabinet, designed by John Van Koert. The case features a lighted top, with glass insert shelves, and sliding glass doors, over a credenza with doors and drawers...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern John Van Koert Cabinets

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John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid Century Cabinet
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Pair of Nightstands or Cabinets by John Van Koert, circa 1960
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
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Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

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John Van Koert Span Chest, circa 1960
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Located in Costa Mesa, CA
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

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John Van Koert Span Chest, circa 1960
John Van Koert Span Chest, circa 1960
H 30 in W 50.5 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Drexel Profile John Van Koert Walnut and Brass Cabinet
By John Van Koert
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful Mid-Century walnut cabinet designed by Jon Van Koert and made by high quality furniture maker, Drexel. This cabinet was part of its profile collection which was made betwee...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

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John Van Koert Cabinet
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Essex, MA
A two-part cabinet in bleached walnut with yellow and green floral stencil decoration, derived from Scandinavian folk motifs, designed by John Van Koert's for Drexel. The tapered up...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

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John Van Koert Cabinet
John Van Koert Cabinet
H 73.5 in W 72 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Credenza by John Van Koert for Drexel
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-Century Modern credenza by John Van Koert for Drexel, circa 1950s. This piece is currently being refinished. The price noted includes refinishing in your choice of color. This i...
Category

1950s American Vintage John Van Koert Cabinets

Materials

Nickel

John Van Koert cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

John Van Koert cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of John Van Koert cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original cabinets by John Van Koert were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider cabinets by H. Sacks & Sons, Jack Cartwright, and Bernhard Rohne. Prices for John Van Koert cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,400 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,198.

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