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Poul Kjaerholm Chairs

Danish, 1929-1980

A trained cabinetmaker, Poul Kjærholm’s use of industrial methods and materials in the 1960s brought a fresh, graceful, sleek new style to Danish modern design.

At what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Kjærholm studied under Hans Wegner and Jørn Utzon — an industrial designer and the architect of the celebrated Sydney Opera House. The latter greatly influenced Kjærholm’s furniture production techniques — although he employed natural materials such as cane and leather, to a far greater extent than his peers Kjærholm embraced the use of steel (rather than wood) framing for his chairs, daybeds and tables.

Kjærholm’s signal design was the PK22 chair of 1956, a low-slung leather lounger on a steel base. The ideas introduced in the PK22 — Kjærholm’s designs were named using a numeric system devised with his manufacturer, E. Kold Christensen — were refined throughout his career, as the offerings below show: the PK11 chair of 1957, with back and armrests formed by a semicircle of ash; the capacious, richly patinated leather seat of a vintage 1961 PK9 chair; the elegant rattan swoop of the PK 24 chaise longue (1965). The chaise longue's leather headrest, held in place by a steel counterweight, best shows Kjærholm's particular gift for combining technological advancements with a respect for traditional detailing.

While respectful of the past, Poul Kjærholm's sensibility is one of optimism and expectation. His was design for those who lived with verve and élan, and confidently anticipated the future.

Find a collection of vintage Poul Kjærholm furniture on 1stDibs.

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Item Ships From: New York City
Creator: Poul Kjærholm
"Free Swinger" Armchair in Leather by Poul Kjaerholm, circa 1974
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in New York, NY
Rare PK 13 "Free Swinger" cantilevered armchair with chrome-plated spring steel frame, black leather cushion and armrest. Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark,...
Category

1970s Danish Modern Vintage Poul Kjaerholm Chairs

Materials

Steel

PK 13 "Free Swinger" Cantilevered Armchair by Poul Kjaerholm, circa 1974
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in New York, NY
PK 13 "Free Swinger" cantilevered armchair with chrome-plated spring steel frame and natural brown leather cushion. Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Chris...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Poul Kjaerholm Chairs

Materials

Steel

PK 12 Chair in Braided Brown Leather and Stainless Steel by Poul Kjaerholm, 1964
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in New York, NY
PK 12 chair with hand braided brown leather armrest and stainless steel frame. Seat upholstered in brown leather. Originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm, 1964. Ed...
Category

Early 2000s Danish Modern Poul Kjaerholm Chairs

Materials

Blown Glass

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6 Chairs PK9 from Poul Kjaerholm for Kold Christensen
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Poul Kjærholm Iconic PK 22 Chair reupholstered in Cowhide, E. Kold Christensen 2
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Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980) the praised Danish designer, the "furniture architect", designed the emblematic PK22 Chair in 1956. Standing out from the other Danish mid century designers, his predilection material wasn't wood but steel. This PK22 gets its outstanding comfort from the cowhide which is floating above the metal structure, thanks to the curved crossbars that holds the feet together without interfering with the seat's ergonomy. The obviously powerful and effective design speaks for itself, fitting perfectly a more intimate space needing structure and discretion thanks to the thin and light side view, as well as larger rooms thanks to the wide seat and backrest creating subtle geometric shapes. The chair has been reupholstered in an elegant black and white cowhide, whose unique pattern interacts gracefully with the design. The frame bears...
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Poul Kjærholm Model Pk22 Wicker
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Poul Kjærholm Model Pk22 Wicker
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PK 9 Tulip Chair by Poul Kjærholm
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Poul Kjærholm PK 9 - 'Tulip' chair in patinated natural leather with steel frame. E. Kold Christensen.
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PK 9 Tulip Chair by Poul Kjærholm
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The PK22 by Poul Kjærholm was an immediate commercial and critical success. In 1957, the chair was awarded the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale, the world’s premier design...
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Poul Kjærholm Model Pk22 Natural Canvas
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H 28 in W 24.5 in D 24.5 in
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The discrete and elegant lounge chair PK22 epitomizes the work of Poul Kjærholm and his search for the ideal type-form and industrial dimension, which was always present in his work. The profile of the steel frame structure originates from his graduation project, the “Element” Chair (PK25...
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Poul Kjærholm Model Pk22 Easy Chair
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PK 9 Tulip chair by Poul Kjærholm
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Poul Kjærholm PK 9 - Dining chair in patinated, black leather with steel frame. E. Kold Christensen.
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PK 9 Tulip chair by Poul Kjærholm
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By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Berkeley, CA
PK11 is a complex and beautiful chair carried by a three-legged satin brushed stainless steel frame. The chair was designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1957 as a companion to the PK51...
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Poul Kjærholm Chair Model Pk11
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Previously Available Items
Poul Kjaerholdm PK 9 Side Chairs for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark 1961
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A pair of PK 9 chairs in very good condition, upholstered in brown leather with chromed steel frames. Marked with E. Kold Christensen's logo.
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Early PK 22 Chair in Cane by Poul Kjaerholm
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in New York, NY
Early "PK 22" chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christiansen. Denmark, circa 1950.

Chromed metal frame with cane back and seat. Only one chair available.
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Tripod chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm
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Tripod chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm
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H 24.8 in W 26.38 in D 24.8 in
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Located in New York, NY
Molded aluminum tripod chair, in black. Plaqued and numbered. Originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm, 1953. Current limited edition of 25 plus 8 APs produc...
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Tripod chair by Poul Kjaerholm
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H 24.8 in W 26.38 in D 24.8 in
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By Poul Kjærholm
Located in New York, NY
CH821 Molded aluminum tripod chair, in yellow. Plaqued and numbered. Originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm, 1953. Current limited edition of 25 plus 8 APs produced by Sean Kelly...
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Tripod chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm
Tripod chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm
H 24.8 in W 26.38 in D 24.8 in
Pair of PK22 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen
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Located in New York, NY
A pair of early PK22 chairs designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen. Features steel frames with original leather upholstery.

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Poul Kjærholm chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Poul Kjærholm chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Poul Kjærholm chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 33 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original chairs by Poul Kjærholm were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Ib Kofod-Larsen, Kai Kristiansen, and Arne Vodder. Prices for Poul Kjærholm chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,975 and can go as high as $64,354, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,955.

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