Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Mobelfabrik, Denmark 1950's
About the Item
- Creator:Feldballes Møbelfabrik (Manufacturer),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 78.75 in (200 cm)Width: 102.37 in (260 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3940328497862
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Oude Meer, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Wall Unit in Elmwood by Poul Cadovius for Royal System, Denmark, 1950sBy Royal System, Poul CadoviusLocated in Amsterdam, NLBlack wooden risers and elmwood veneer book shelves and cabinet with black metal hooks. This wall unit consist of: 2 x shelf 80 x 20 cm 1 x shelf 80 ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- VM 216 Coatrack by Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik, Denmark, 1960'sBy Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg MøbelfabrikLocated in Amsterdam, NLTeak coat rack with four teak coat hangers. The hangers have been glued.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsTeak
- William Watting for Fristho Wall Unit, the Netherlands 1950'sBy Fristho, William WattingLocated in Amsterdam, NLHigh quality wooden wall unit with brass hooks. Three cabinets and seven shelves. 7 x shelves: x cm 1x cabinet glass doors: cm (LxDxH) 1 x des...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsBrass
- Oak cabinet by Borge Mogensen for Karl Andersson, Denmark 1950'sBy Børge MogensenLocated in Amsterdam, NLLight oak cabinet consistent of six parts, so you can make different compositions. Model Oresund, designed by Borge Mogensen for Karl Andersson. The ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cupboards
MaterialsOak
- Poul Cadovius for Royal System Wall System Book Shelves in Teak, Denmark, 1950sBy Royal System, Poul CadoviusLocated in Amsterdam, NLLarge freestanding wall unit by Poul Cadovius for Royal system. With 4 black metal risers and teak veneer cabinets and shelves. 1x cabinet with sliding doors 42.5 x 37,5 x 160 cm ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Nisse Strinning for String Pinewood Shelving System, Sweden, 1960sBy Nils Nisse Strinning, Poul Cadovius, String Design ABLocated in Amsterdam, NLVintage Nisse Strinning for string pinewood shelving system, Sweden, 1960s This shelving system with its minimalistic looks, was designed by Swedish a...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- Danish Modern Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes MobelfabrikBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Lisboa, LisboaThis Danish Modern wall unit, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, is a masterpiece of mid-century design. Crafted from teak wood, known for its durability and bea...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsRosewood
- Danish Modern Rosewood 3-Bay Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960sBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Asaa, DKDanish Modern Rosewood 3-Bay Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s. Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. Floating modular 3 bay shelving...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood
- Vintage Danish Rosewood 3-Bay Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish modular rosewood/palisander wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. Floating modular 3 bay shelving system model FM Reolsystem. This system consists of: 4 Aluminium uprights 200 cm. 1 Open book cabinet...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood
- Vintage Danish Rosewood 2-Bay Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish modular rosewood/palisander wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. Floating modular 2 bay shelving system model FM R...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood
- Vintage Danish Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish modular Teak wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s Floating modular 4 bay shelving system model FM Reolsystem. This ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Chest of Drawers for Feldballe MøbelfabrikBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Porto, PTKai Kristiansen Mid-Century Modern Danish rosewood chest of drawers for Feldballe Møbelfabrik.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsRosewood