20th Century Danish Vintage Modern Pair of Open Teak Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 28.25 in (71.76 cm)Depth: 31 in (78.74 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1622225251312
Kai Kristiansen
With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.
Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.
Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat.
Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s.
Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)
While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces.
Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.
Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 20th Century White Italian Pair of Vintage Velvet Lounge Chairs by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of lounge chairs were designed by the famous Italian designer Paolo Buffa. In Walnut with a hand polished Shellac finish in good conditio...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- 20th Century Turquoise Italian Pair of Walnut Lounge Chairs by Melchiorre BegaBy Melchiorre BegaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of tall lounge chairs made of handcrafted polished Walnut, designed most likely by Me...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut, Upholstery, Bouclé
- 20th Century Single Swedish Armchair - Vintage Side Chair by Carl MalmstenBy Carl MalmstenLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA white-grey, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish anonymous armchair with two pillows, designed by Carl Malmsten, in good condition. The seat backrest of single Scandinavian Little Fu...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Birch
- 20th Century Danish Pair of Vintage Scandinavian Teakwood Lounge ChairsLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA grey Mid-Century Modern Danish pair of Scandinavian lounge chairs featuring slightly curved armrests and a large backrest, in good condition. This vintage pair has been completely ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Corner Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- 20th Century Danish Pair of Vintage Walnut Z Lounge Chairs by Poul JensenBy Poul JensenLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA light-brown, vintage Mid-Century modern Danish pair of " Z " lounge, club chairs made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by Poul Jensen in good condition. The seat backrest ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
- 20th Century Pair of Vintage Large Danish Birch Scandinavian Lounge ChairsLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA vintage pair of large Danish Art Deco lounge chairs made of hand crafted polished Birchwood, designed and produced by an unknown designer from Copenhagen, in good condition. The Sc...Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Birch
- Pair of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knive Chairs by Magnus Olesen in Teak, DenmarkBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Halle, DEPair of Danish armchairs, designed 1955 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen. Model Nr. 121. So called „Paper Knive Chairs“. Executed in Teakwood with original green fabrics. Both ch...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak
- Pair of Danish Design Paper Knife Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen in Teak BlackBy Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Ijzendijke, NLRare pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs in teak and black leather (faux) design by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in 1955. Gorgeous organic design style sculpted in s...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak
- Danish Vintage Teak Compass Chair by Kai KristiansenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBA stylish and extremely well made Danish vintage teak compass chair by Kai Kristiansen. This was recently imported from Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBouclé, Teak
- Set of 7 Danish Modern Kai Kristiansen Teak Dining ChairsBy Kai Kristiansen, Jens RisomLocated in Rockaway, NJSet of 8 Mid-Century Modern teak dining chairs in black vinyl by Kai Kristiansen.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Teak Easy Chair for Magnus Olesen Set of 2By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Munich, BavariaKai Kristiansen Modell 121 paper knife easy chair in teak wood. Produced by Magnus Olesen. The fabric is original made of polyurethan and beautiful Lambs wool. Great condition. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Kai Kristiansen Style Mid Century Danish Teak Occasional Lounge Chairs, A PairBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Countryside, ILKai Kristiansen Style Mid Century Danish Teak Occasional Lounge Chairs - A Pair Each chair measures: 23 wide x 21 deep x 30.5 high, with a seat of 19 inches and arm height of 25 i...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
