Pair of PK20 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960
View Similar Items
Pair of PK20 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960
About the Item
- Creator:Poul Kjærholm (Designer),E. Kold Christensen (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 35.04 in (89 cm)Width: 31.89 in (81 cm)Depth: 29.53 in (75 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: m258821stDibs: LU1039832063392
PK20
The PK20 is everything a lounge chair should be: It is as comfortable as it is stylish, and its sleek form renders it a versatile addition to almost any room. The chair’s gently curved, high-back leather-covered seat rests on a flexible, matte chromed spring steel frame. Designed by Danish furniture maker Poul Kjærholm (1929–80) for E. Kold Christensen in 1968, the PK20’s clean lines represent the ideals of minimalist modern furniture, while its adjustable headrest and scoop seat plainly signal that this piece was built for comfort.
Although the Østervrå-born Kjærholm was trained as a cabinetmaker, he admired the enduring nature of metal and enjoyed working with lightweight steel over the traditional woods that his peers preferred. Indeed, Kjærholm’s acclaimed designs are distinct from those of his Danish contemporaries such as Hans Wegner. He lauded steel for its “constructive potential” and recognized its “artistic merit,” while a rich balance emerged in his furniture’s modest melds of the alloy and natural materials like halyard rope or wicker. Similar to his well-known PK22 chair, the exposed metalwork of Kjærholm’s sculptural PK20 is tempered by the inviting organic warmth of the seat’s leather upholstery.
For decades, Kjærholm designed numerous celebrated chairs, tables and more, and Danish manufacturer Fritz Hansen acquired the rights to the complete collection of his work in 2014. A milestone of material innovation in modern Danish furniture design, the PK20 lounge chair is part of the permanent collection at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and is available today in leather upholstery as well as in a pale gold wicker version.
Poul Kjærholm
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.
- PK22 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm for Kold Christensen, Denmark 1960By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Amsterdam, NLThe iconic “PK22” lounge chairs designed by Poul Kjaerholm, manufactured by Kold Christensen in Denmark around 1960. This stunning chair is made of high quality chrome plated metal ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of PK22 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 2010By Poul KjærholmLocated in Amsterdam, NLA stunning pair of PK22 lounge chairs designed by Poul Kjaerholm, manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark in 2010. This amazing set is made of high quality chrome plated metal holdi...Category
2010s Danish Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Poul Kjaerholm PK71 Nesting Tables, Denmark, 1960By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Amsterdam, NLNesting tables, model PK71, designed by Poul Kjaerholm. Manufactured by E Kold Christensen in Denmark, circa 1960. Matt chromed steel frame and original top of black acrylic. I...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
MaterialsSteel
- Poul Kjaerholm PK71 Nesting Tables, Denmark, 1960By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Amsterdam, NLA set of three nesting tables, model PK71, designed by Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark circa 1960. Each table has an eye-catching square structur...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
MaterialsSteel
- Poul Kjaerholm PK71 Nesting Tables, Denmark, 1960By Poul KjærholmLocated in Amsterdam, NLA set of three nesting tables, model PK71, designed by Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark around 1960. Each table has an eye-catching square structure...Category
Antique 1760s Danish Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsMetal
- PK40 Dining Table by Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1980By Fritz Hansen, Poul KjærholmLocated in Amsterdam, NLAn eye-catching dining table, model PK40, designed by Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by Fritz Hansen in Denmark around 1980. This iconic and rare piece of mid-century Scandinavia...Category
Vintage 1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsSteel
- PK20 Lounge Chair by Poul Kjaerholm, E. Kold Christensen, 1968By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Lyon, FRRare early edition Danish lounge chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen. Steel structure with leather seat. Signed under the seat. Model low back chair, very rare.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Poul Kjaerholm Pair of PK20 Lounge Chair in Leather for E. Kold ChristensenBy E. Kold Christensen, Poul KjærholmLocated in WIJCKEL, NLPK 20 is a laidback and elegant lounge chair in original leather, built upon a flexible matt chromed spring steel frame. The beautiful curve of the legs and the floating frame distin...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen Pair of 'PK20' Lounge Chairs in LeatherBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Waalwijk, NLPoul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, pair of lounge chairs model 'PK20', leather, chrome-plated steel, Denmark, 1968 A highly modern design that embraces clear lines and curvaceous shapes. A cantilever chair is all about ease and comfort as it provides the characteristic bending function, and together with the high backrest and head cushion, a pleasant seating experience is guaranteed. Kjærholm used chrome-plated steel for the base and black leather for the seating, materials that fit within the modernistic aesthetics of this chair. Poul Kjærholm (1929-1980) was a Danish designer and cabinetmaker. He had a particular interest in different construction materials; especially steel which he considered a natural material with the same artistic fineness as other natural materials. Poul Kjaerholm was employed at Fritz Hansen for about a year, where he designed a number of noteworthy chair prototypes. In 1955 Poul Kjærholm initiated his collaboration with manufacturer Ejvind Kold Christensen, which lasted until Poul Kjærholm's death in 1980. In 1982, Fritz Hansen took over the production and sales of "The Kjærholm Collection", developed from 1951 to 1967, designs, which are logical to the minute detail with an aura of exclusivity. In 2007 Fritz Hansen added two new pieces to the Kjærholm Collection. Pieces that were never in production before, the PK8...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Lounge Chair E. Kold Christensen Denmark Steel Leather 1968By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Munster, NRWFirst edition of the PK20 lounge chair, a graceful, elegant masterpiece created in 1968 by Danish designer Poul Kjaerholm for Ejvind Kold Christensen. It consists of an aesthetic c...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Poul Kjærholm Pair of PK22 for E. Kold ChristensenBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Copenhagen, DKPoul Kjærholm two PK22 in dull chromium plated steel and cane. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- PK20 Easy Chair by Poul Kjaerholm Produced by E. Kold ChristensenBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Stamford, CTA PK20 chair produced by Kold Christensen in Poul Kjaeholms iconic matte chrome finish. Leather is in great shape without staining and remains supple. E. Ko...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome