Pair of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chairs
View Similar Items
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Magnus Olesen (Maker),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s-1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Original finish shows light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. Cushions not included.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97879574143
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 Quistgaard for Dansk Safari Lounge ChairsBy Jens Quistgaard, DanskLocated in New York, NYRare and important pair of Safari chairs designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Danmark. Both chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, both show significant wear to the black leather...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Super Slick Pair of Thonet ChairsBy ThonetLocated in New York, NYPair of Thonet tub chairs in great original condition. We believe they are upholstered in leather, however it's possible the upholstery is actually vi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
$2,800 / set - Pair of Eames Lounge Chair Metal 'LCM'By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in New York, NYIconic pair of Eames for Herman Miller LCM's in later orange and black paint finish. These chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, both have a later, but not new, orange paint surf...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$2,600 / set - Pair of High Back Aluminum Base ChairsLocated in New York, NYUpholstered high back chairs, with squared aluminum base chairs. Original fabric shows wear and some staining. Structurally sound, and sturdy. Arm Height 25"Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$1,200 / set - Pair of Danish Modern Lounge Chairs by Poul Volther for Frem RoljeBy Poul Volther, Frem RøjleLocated in New York, NYExceptional pair of mid century Danish modern lounge chairs designed by Poull Volther for Frem Role circa 1950's. These chairs are in very fine, original condition, showing only mino...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Pair of Chrome Lounge Chairs by Cy MannBy Cy MannLocated in New York, NYStylish and chic pair of lounge chairs designed by Cy Mann. Flat bar chrome frames support cushioned seat and backrest. Clean, original and...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$3,500 / set
- Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Lounge ChairsBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. New cushions upholstered in Kvadrat Hallingd...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool
$12,455 / set - Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chairs, 1950sBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Pair of paper knife model lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in rosewood. New cushions upholstered in soft grey wool fabric.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Rosewood
- Set of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Easy Chairs 1950s DenmarkBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in St-Brais, JUA set of Kai Kristiansen’s most celebrated design: two ‘Paper knife’ chairs crafted from solid teak wood. One of the most graceful and beautiful chairs of the Danish Modern period. T...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Wool
- Pair of 'Paper Knife' Easy Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, 1956By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Antwerpen, VANMagnificent pair of ‘Model 121’ easy chairs designed in 1956 by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Magnus Olesen in Denmark. Beautifully crafted solid teak frames with the signature arm...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
$5,717 Sale Price20% Off - Kai Kristiansen No 121 Mid Century Paper Knife Teak Lounge Chairs, PairBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Countryside, ILKai Kristiansen No 121 mid century paper knife teak lounge chairs - pair Each chair measures: 23 wide x 27 deep x 28 inches high, with a se...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- 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