Pair of 1950s Kai Kristiansen "Paper Knife" Teak Armchairs for Magnus Olesen
View Similar Items
Pair of 1950s Kai Kristiansen "Paper Knife" Teak Armchairs for Magnus Olesen
About the Item
- Creator:Magnus Olesen (Manufacturer),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 25.2 in (64 cm)Depth: 29.93 in (76 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1956
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. The solid teak frames are in excellent condition and the cushions have been newly recovered with Camira Silverdale light grey 100% wool fabric. Both chairs have their original labels which include Danish (quality) control and Domus Danica logos.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2660337002142
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.
Magnus Olesen
For the better part of the past century, Magnus Olesen has been producing sturdy and functional furnishings for the modern lifestyle. With a focus on durability and exceptional quality, the Danish manufacturer continues to uphold the traditions associated with Scandinavian modernism — its artisans adhere to standards of the highest caliber in the construction of its widely revered armchairs, lounge chairs, stools and other pieces, which are crafted in a range of rich woods such as ash, oak and teak with a prioritization on practicality and ergonomics.
Cabinetmaker Magnus Olesen founded his eponymous company in 1937 in Denmark, and since then the brand has been producing functional, elegant furniture for interiors all over the world.
The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. Some of the designers that have partnered with Magnus Olesen over the years include Kai Kristiansen — a Danish cabinetmaker known for his innovative mid-century wall units — duo Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørensen, and Ib Kofod-Larsen, who was one of the best-selling Danish furniture makers in the United States during the 1950s, a time when Scandinavia’s simple, curvilinear wooden furniture, home goods and textiles suddenly seemed the perfect foil for America’s glass-and-steel skyscrapers.
With a showroom in Copenhagen and a production facility in Durup, Magnus Olesen remains in business today. The company primarily focuses on home furnishings but also produces a range of furniture for offices, the hospitality industry and healthcare facilities.
Find vintage Magnus Olesen chairs, tables and other seating on 1stDibs.
- Pair of 1950s Italian Armchairs attributed to Augusto Bozzi for SaporitiBy Augusto Bozzi, SaporitiLocated in London, GBPair of large and impressive 1950s Italian lounge chairs which are attributed to a design by Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti Italia. The chairs have been upholstered in a red textured fa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Pair of 1950s Italian Attr. Pierluigi Colli Tan Boucle & Velvet ArmchairsBy Pier Luigi ColliLocated in London, GBAn absolutely stunning futuristic pair of 1950s Italian armchairs attributed to Pierluigi Colli. Newly reupholstered The armchairs are iconic examples of what you would expect from I...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of 1960s Armchairs in Brown Bute Fabric with Polished Teak HandrestsLocated in London, GBPair of classic 1960s armchairs fully restored and reupholstered in Bute Fabrics Kilmory chocolate fabric (fine worsted wool woven seersucker fabric) . Eac...Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of 1960s Swedish Oak Curved Armchairs Reupholstered in a Neutral LinenLocated in London, GBA stylish pair of very comfortable Swedish oak armchairs. There is a very small difference in their size which is barely noticeable . The backs are deep and curved with thick cushio...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak, Linen
- Pair of Circa 1900s Swedish Spindle Back Upholstered Mahogany ArmchairsLocated in London, GBA lovely pair of Swedish spindle back open sided armchairs on turned legs with brass castors. They are of neat proportions and upholstered in a neutral beige herringbone fabric with ...Category
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Edwardian Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of 1920’s Armchairs Hand-Scraped to Their Original PaintLocated in London, GBA lovely pair of 1920’s Swedish armchairs which have been hand-scraped back to their original paint. The drop-in seats have been recovered in a vintage French linen. The open back ha...Category
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Teak Easy Chair for Magnus Olesen Set of 2By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated 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
- Paper Knife Armchair by Kai kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1956By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Barcelona, ESPaper Knife armchair designed in 1956 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Teak frame upholstered with new wool fabric from...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Midcentury Teak Paper Knife Armchair by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus OlesenBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Lisboa, LisboaSet of two Midcentury Teak "Paper Knife" Armchairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen. These iconic pieces are a testament to the sleek, organic design that typifies mid-c...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
$6,592 Sale Price / set20% Off - Three Paper Knife Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Hellouw, NLSet of three paper knife chairs, model 121, by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen from Denmark 1960s. These chairs in teak have a trul...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Fabric
$10,169 Sale Price / set20% Off - Teak Paper Knife Armchair, Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus OlesenBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Lisboa, LisboaThe pair of teak 'Paperknife' armchairs, Model 121, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, is a testament to the finesse of Danish mid-century modern furniture design. Crafte...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
$6,180 Sale Price / set25% Off - Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chair in Teak for Magnus OlesenBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage 'Paper Knife' chair in teak by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen. Cushions have been newly upholstered in a vintage grey Maharam Hallingdal wool textile by Nana Ditzel. Marke...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Teak