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Kaare Klint Canapes

Danish, 1888-1954

Architect, teacher and furniture designer Kaare Klint is among the most important figures in Scandinavian modernism. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint sought to pay homage to historical furniture styles and prized functionality as essential to designing for modern living. He established the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and his students became mid-century legends of cabinetry and furniture-making.

Klint prioritized functionalism and drew on an array of influences in his own work. Furniture experts will observe the influence of 18th-century English seating in his Red chair, while Klint’s iconic Safari chair had roots in campaign furniture. The other exemplary chairs, sofas and tables for which he is known bear the mark of Thomas Chippendale and Biedermeier furniture as well as Greek and Roman forms.

Klint's father was Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, a formidable architect of his day. The younger Klint initially followed in his father’s footsteps, studying under him as well as distinguished architect Carl Petersen. Alongside Danish architect Ivar Bentsen, he headed the renovation of the Designmuseum Denmark in Copenhagen from 1920–26 (Klint also furnished the institution as part of the project). Around the same time, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the Royal Danish Academy. The impact of his role as an instructor there cannot be overstated — he mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher.

A prominent advocate of ergonomics, Klint valued comfort and functionality over style. Painstaking research went into each piece of sophisticated yet wholly unadorned furniture he designed, as he endeavored to build structures that took into consideration human proportions and scale. And like the Shakers, Klint believed that quality craftsmanship and good materials were integral to the design of durable furniture that was free of embellishment.

The humble grace of Klint’s style characterizes legendary seating designs that continue to charm today’s legions of mid-century modern enthusiasts. His Safari chair, Faaborg chair, Ravenna armchair and Propeller stool — as well as most of the seating created by Danish modernists generally — have warmed interiors and influenced furniture designers all over the world.

Find vintage Kaare Klint furniture and other Scandinavian modern furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Kaare Klint
Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Niger Leather 1930s, Scandinavian Modern
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier - Scandinavian Modern Rare 3-seater sofa model no 5011 designed by Kaare Klint and manufactured by cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussens Snedkerier in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Rare Kaare Klint Box sofas in Mahogany & Niger Leather, Scandinavian Modern
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen snedkerier. A stunning pair of rare Kaare Klint Model no. 4118S two-seater box-shaped sofas with profiled cross legged mahogany frame. (Also called X-Bas...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Related Items
Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 in Original Cognac Leather Rud Rasmussen, Denmark
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Two-seater sofa model 5011 in original cognac leather and six-legged mahogany base. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, Denmark. Minor marks on the frame, patina to the leather. Back covered in original canvas. Shown at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition in 1935. Signed with decal manufacturer’s label to underside: (Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier). Kaare Klint is widely recognized as the father of Danish modern design. It is hard to overstate his influence. He developed an entirely new analytical approach to furniture design that his students at the Danish Academy of Art would emulate for years to come, yet was also inspired by historic designs from various cultures, modernizing and re-interpreting classic pieces for new generations. Literature: Gorm Harkær, Klintiana: “Kaare Klint”, vol.2, pg 94. Kaare Klint (1888-1954) is regarded as the founding father of Danish Modernim. As an architect, furniture designer and leading professor at the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Klint established the principles of modern Danish furniture by combining a profound appreciation of traditional construction techniques with a modernist emphasis on function and a rejection of ornaments. Klint’s design was always based on relentless research; he never compromised. Every piece had to fulfill its purpose, be completely clear in its construction with dimensions and proportions corresponding to the human body and display materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality. Logic, often using a mathematical system of measures, and a constructive way of thinking were the foundation of Klint’s philosophy of furniture design. Like many of his contemporaries, counting Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, he advocated standardization and functional requirements and dismissed the use of all ornamentation. But Klint realized his vision in wood and leather, using traditional craftsmen and working methods and often finding inspiration in historical models. In this way, he charted the course for an alternative Nordic Functionalism that idealized the workshop and the collaboration between furniture architects and cabinetmakers as opposed to the factory. Kaare Klint’s first major work was a collaboration with his mentor, the architect Carl Petersen. In 1914 they were commissioned to design furniture and fixtures for Faaborg Art Museum. One of the highlights to emerge from this commission was the Faaborg chair, a light and elegant chair with clear references to classical furniture. The construction and proportions of an 18th century English Chippendale chair...
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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

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Leather, Mahogany

Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
Oak framed Classic sofa designed by Kaare Klint and made by Mastercabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. Beautiful crisscross frame-work. Original upholstery which will make a statement in any...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa
Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa
H 34.26 in W 78.75 in D 27.56 in
Kaare Klint Three-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint. A three-seat sofa with mahogany legs, seat, sides and back with blue-, red- and whitestriped Greek Savak. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen, Copenhagen.
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Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

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Mahogany, Wool

Kaare Klint Three-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen
Kaare Klint Three-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
Kaare Klint Red Chair, Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint 'Red Chair' in Cuban mahogany, Niger leather and brass nails. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen 1936-1940. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Brass

Kaare Klint Red Chair, Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s
Kaare Klint Red Chair, Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s
H 35.04 in W 22.84 in D 18.51 in
Rare Mid-Century Modern Vintage Danish 3-seater Chocolate Leather Sofa, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This three-seater sofa was made in Denmark during the 1960s. The sofa is completely upholstered in natural leather in a deep dark chocolate color. Comfortable, loosely placed cushion...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Wood

Kaare Klint Red Chair for Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint Red chair. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Mahogany, black horsehair and brass nails. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØRREBROGAD/K...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

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Brass

Kaare Klint Leather Settee
By Kaare Klint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kaare Klint settee designed in 1935 and produced by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Kaare Klint Leather Settee
Kaare Klint Leather Settee
H 36 in W 52 in D 30 in
Vintage Scandinavian Modern Paradiset Sofa by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist for NK
By Kerstin Horlin Holmquist, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This Paradiset sofa from the Triva collection was designed by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmqvist in 1958 and manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in Sweden. The characteristic Hörlin-Holmqv...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 6092 with Savak Wool
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
Three-seater sofa with eight tapering mahogany legs. Sides, seat and back upholstered with striped savak wool presumably in the last 10-20 years with natural leather pipings. Model 6...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Wool

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 6092 with Savak Wool
Kaare Klint Sofa Model 6092 with Savak Wool
H 34.26 in W 80.71 in D 31.5 in
Rare Vintage Scandinavian Modern 2-Seater Brown Fabric & Oak Sofa Grace by Ikea
By IKEA
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This rare two-seater Grace sofa was produced by the Swedish company IKEA in 1961. The softly rounded shape of the frame, where the backrest smoothly turns i...
Category

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Fabric, Oak

Kaare Klint Model 4118 Box Sofa, Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
Rare Kaare Klint Model 4118 two-seat box sofa with profiled cross legged mahogany frame. Made by Rud Rasmussen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Upholstered...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Sculptural Art Deco Sofa, Danish Cabinetmaker, Made in 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
Elegant sofa made in nutwood with some soft curves, upholstered in a fine chequer fabric. Made in the 1930s by a Danish cabinetmaker. A rare object with an expressive look. The overa...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Art Deco Kaare Klint Canapes

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Nutwood, Fabric, Wood

Previously Available Items
Three Seat Sofa by Danish Designer Kaare Klint Model 4118 for Rud Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint
Located in Lyon, FR
Rare Scandinavian three seat sofa by Danish designer Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Model "4118" dating from 1929 with a classic and sober design, precursor of the Scandinavian desig...
Category

1920s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Canapes

Materials

Leather

Kaare Klint canapes for sale on 1stDibs.

Kaare Klint canapes 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 Kaare Klint canapes, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original canapes by Kaare Klint were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. Prices for Kaare Klint canapes can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $31,294 and can go as high as $64,481, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $47,888.

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