Vintage Kai Kristiansen Teak Wall System with Glass Cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 88 in (223.52 cm)Width: 102 in (259.08 cm)Depth: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Emeryville, CA
- Reference Number:
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: Emeryville, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vintage 1960 Kai Kristiansen Teak Wall SystemBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Emeryville, CAKai Kristiansen's wall system, also known as the "FM wall system," is a modular shelving and storage system designed by Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. Kristi...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- George Nelson CSS Book Shelve System Circa 1960s for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Emeryville, CAHerman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (CSS) in 1959 and produced it until 1973. Available in various wood f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- George Nelson CSS Book Shelf Wall Unit with Desk Herman Miller Circa 1955By George NelsonLocated in Emeryville, CAHerman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (CSS) in 1959 and produced it until 1973. Available in various wood f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Vintage Danish Mid-Century Teak Sewing Cabinet/ChestLocated in Emeryville, CADanish Mid-Century furniture epitomizes Scandinavian design principles with its timeless elegance, functionality, and exceptional craftsmanship. Flourishing in the 1950s and 1960s, i...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Danish Mid-Century Teak Tallboy DresserLocated in Emeryville, CAThis Danish tallboy chest of drawers embodies the essence of Mid-Century design. Its six drawers, adorned with sculptured wooden handles and seamless do...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak HutchLocated in Emeryville, CADanish Mid-Century Modern design encapsulates a harmonious blend of form, function, and simplicity. Emerging in the mid-20th century, it emphasizes clean lines, organic shapes, and m...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cupboards
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Wall unit, Kai KristiansenBy FM Møbler, Kai KristiansenLocated in Neuss, NWClassic shelving system by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler from the 1960s. The high-quality containers are veneered in teak. The system consists of one container with doors and four sh...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
MaterialsTeak
- 60s 70s Teak Teak Shelf Wall Unit Kai Kristiansen Danish Design 60sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Neuenkirchen, NI60s 70s teak teak shelf wall unit Kai Kristiansen Danish Design 60s Object: wall unit Manufacturer: Kai Kristiansen Condit...Category
Vintage 1970s European Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish modular rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. Floating modular 1 bay shelving system model FM Reolsystem....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen MidCentury Scandinavian Dark Wood Shelves System Fm Møbler 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, FM MøblerLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITLibreria Scandinava in legno scuro disegnata da Kai Kristiansen per FM Mobler composta da 10 mensole con due profondità posizionabili a piacere, produzione Danimarca 1960. Etichetta ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
MaterialsWood
- Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbler, 1960sBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in PARIS, FRThis shelf was designed by Kai Kristiansen for the Danish publisher Feldalles Møbler in the 1960s. This designer is a major figure in 20th century Scandinavian design. He is known fo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes MobelfabrikBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Lisboa, LisboaThis Danish Modern wall unit, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, is a masterpiece of mid-century design. Crafted from teak wood, known for its durability and bea...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsTeak