Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Rosewood and Cream Wool Dining Chairs, Danish 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Shou Andersen
Located in London, GB
The Model 42 chair designed by Kai Kristiansen, made by Shou Anderson Møbelfabrik in Denmark, continues to stand out as an iconic design, which combines function, comfort and style. ...
Wool, Rosewood
Set of Six Vintage Rosewood Model 42 Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Vancouver, BC
An iconic design featuring stunning angles and a tilting backrest. Newly upholstered in a cool grey fabric, this set of six chairs creates a dramatic and modern statement around a di...
Rosewood
Sold|$9,660 / set
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Dinning Chairs Model 42
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful dining chairs with upholstery in leather. Frame in rosewood with stunning details. Back pad has slight tilt function for more comfort.
Rosewood
Set of Six Kai Kristiansen #42 Model Dining Chairs in Original Black Leather
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Stunning set of six Kai Kristiansen #42 rosewood dining chairs with original black leather. Excellent set, wonderful leather and superb rosewood grain. The leather is showing sign...
Leather
Set of Eight Kai Kristainsen Teak Model 42 Dining Chairs in Blue Wool
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in New Westminster, British Columbia
This incredible set of eight Danish Modern teak dining chairs were designed by Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. Featuring gorgeous sculptural lines, such as the angled, truncated armres...
Upholstery, Teak
Danish Kai Kristiansen Set of 4 Model 42 Oak and Cream Wool Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A beautiful set of 4 iconic Model 42 oak and cream wool dining chair designed by Kai Kristiansen for Shous Møbelfabrik, these would make a stylish addition to any dining area.
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Model 42 Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen, Set of Six, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bristol, GB
A set of original Kai Kristiansen Model 42 dining chairs produced by Schou Andersen.
Bouclé, Oak
Sold|$2,350 / set
Vintage Kai Kristiansen #42 Oak Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Panningen, NL
Set of four Danish modern model #42 dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen SVA Møbler.
Fabric, Oak
Six Rosewood "Model 42" Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in London, GB
Six beautiful Danish rosewood dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen. They have been refinished and beautifully reupholstered in high-quality grey wool fabric. The tapered legs and ric...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen Danish Teak Model #42 Set of 4 Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in West Roxbury, MA
This set of four Danish teak chairs were designed by Kai Kristiansen, called Model #42. The wood frames have been professionally restored, and the original blue fabric is in very goo...
Fabric, Teak
Set 6 Danish Modern Kai Kristainsen Teak Model 42 "Z" Dining Chairs, Gray Tweed
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in New Westminster, British Columbia
This incredible set of six Danish modern teak dining chairs were designed by Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. Featuring gorgeous sculptural lines, such as the angled, truncated armrests...
Upholstery, Teak
Eight Rosewood and Leather "Model 42" Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A set of eight Danish rosewood "Model 42" dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen, circa 1965.
Leather, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Teak "Z" Chairs Model 42, Set of 4
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in New Westminster, British Columbia
This amazing set of 4 Kai Kristiansen model 42 "Z" chairs, are surely one of the most iconic and desirable Danish Modern dining chairs (note 6 have sold).
Fabric, Foam, Rubber, Teak
Set of Six Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Z Chairs in Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bridport, CT
Amazing set of six rosewood model 42 Kai Kristiensen Z chairs. Rosewood frames in excellent condition.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold|$5,735 / set
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Rosewood Z chair Set of Four 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A set of four model 42 dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Schou Andersen, Denmark, 1960.
Set of Two 'Z-Chairs' in Teak by Kai Kristiansen, Model 42
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Middelfart, Fyn
Beautiful set of two teak dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen. When you walk into a room, this chairs cannot help but grab your attention with their striking design, the ch...
Wool, Teak
Sold|$6,800
Six Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Southampton, NY
A set of six rosewood model 42 dining chairs with floating swivel backs designed by Kai Kristiansen.
Wood
Eight Danish Rosewood Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A set of eight Danish rosewood "Model 42" dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen, circa 1965.
Leather, Rosewood
Eight Rosewood Model 42 Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A set of eight rio rosewood model 42 dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen, circa 1965.
Leather, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Oak and Cream Wool Dining Chair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A beautiful iconic Model 42 oak and cream wool dining chair designed by Kai Kristiansen for Shous Møbelfabrik, this would make a stylish addition to any dining area.
Wool, Oak
Danish Teak Dining Set 8 Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Chairs & Moreddi Dining Table
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Ava, MO
Presenting this beautiful dining set consisting of a Set of 8 Danish Modern Model 42 Teak Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen and Skovmand Andersen for Moreddi Dining Table with two lea...
Upholstery, Teak
Set of Six Oak Chairs by Kai Christiansen Model 42
Located in Paddock Wood, Kent
Set of six oak chairs by Kai Christiansen Model 42 A set of six model 42 dining chairs designed by Kai Christiansen in the early 1960s, in lovely condition throughout and new upho...
Fabric, Oak, Wood
Sold|$1,263
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood and Leather Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A set of up to 12 Rio rosewood model 42 dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen, circa 1965.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold|$2,526
Kai Kristiansen Extending Teak Dining Table
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
We also have listed the matching teak model 42 dining chairs which the original owners of these pieces bought together.
Teak
Rare set of eight rosewood & leather Model 42 dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of eight chairs "Model 42" with frames in rosewood, seat and back covered in black leather designed by Kai Kristiansen.
Leather, Rosewood
Set of Four of Mid-Century Oak Kai Kristiansen Dining Chairs Model #42
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Set of four Kai Kristiansen dining chairs in solid dark oak. Model 42, 1960s.
Set of Six Dining Chairs Model 42 by Kai Kristiansen in Oak and Original Fabric
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Pau, FR
An iconic design featuring stunning angles and a tilting backrest. Retains its original cream and brown-striped fabric which makes a superb match with the rich oak color of the base....
Oak, Wool
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Teak Z Chairs Set of Six
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bridport, CT
Incredible set of six Kai Kristiansen Z Dining Chairs. Model 42. Teak Frames with black leather seats and seat backs.
Leather, Teak
Sold|$4,712
Four Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Madrid, ES
Four Kai Kristiansen rosewood dining chairs. Model 42. Rosewood framework , seats and back upholstered in original light green leather.Excellent condition .
Leather, Rosewood
Dining Chair in Rosewood by Kai Kristiansen -Model 42 'Z-Chair
Located in Middelfart, Fyn
Beautiful rosewood dining chair designed by Kai Kristiansen. When you walk into a room, this chairs cannot help but grab your attention with their striking design, the chair are be...
Leather, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Teak Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Panningen, N-Limburg
Set of four Danish modern model #42 dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for Skovmand and Andersen.
Fabric, Teak
Set of Six Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Bridport, CT
Set of six newly upholstered in black leather Kai Kristiansen model 42 or "Z-Chairs" in beautiful rosewood. Tilting seat backs and gorgeous wood grain.
Leather, Rosewood
Set of Six Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Room Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Zurich, CH
Set of six Kai Kristiansen, model 42, dining room chairs in oak and refurnished with black imitation leather.
Leather, Oak
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs in New Black Leather
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Kai Kristiansen model #42 rosewood dining chairs in new black leather.
Leather, Rosewood
Set of Six Danish Teak Dining Chairs, Kai Kristiansen, Model 42
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Crockett, CA
This set of six Danish teak dining chairs are also commonly described as Kai Kristiansen "Z" chairs. They have tilted backrest, tapered legs, and stylish angled half armrests. They r...
Six Kai Kristiansen 'Model 42' Dining Chairs in Rosewood & Black Saddle Leather
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Portland, OR
An iconic Danish design in rosewood with black saddle leather backs and seats by legendary designer Kai Kristiansen. The elegant frame lines grandly serve both timeless beauty and hi...
Leather, Rosewood
Set of Four Kai Kristiansen 'Z' Chairs Model 42
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Pau, FR
Set of four 'Z' dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen, model #42.
Oak, Wool
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood Chairs Model 'Z' 42, 1956, Denmark offplatform
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Kongens Lyngby, DK
Kai Kristiansen elegant model 42 also called model 'Z' from 1956. A pair of rosewood chairs. Headpiece and seat upholstered with turquoise wool fabric (original). Backrest fitted wit...
Wool, Rosewood
Single Kai Kristiansen, Model 42 Dining Chair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic Danish modern armchair in original upholstery. Designed in 1956-1957 by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured at Schou Andersen's factory. Paper label on underside of the chair re...
With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his coffee tables, 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.
No matter what your dream dining experience looks like, there is a wide-ranging variety of vintage, new and antique dining room chairs on 1stDibs. Find upholstered dining room chairs, wood dining room chairs and more to outfit any space designated for a good meal, be it in your home or in the great outdoors.
In the early 18th century, most dining room tables and other furniture was designed to look masculine. In America, dining rooms weren’t even much of a concept until the late 1700s, when a space set aside specifically for dining became a part of the construction of homes for the wealthy. Dining room chairs of the era were likely made of walnut or oak. In Europe, neoclassical dining chairs emerged during the 1750s owing to nostalgia for classical antiquity, while the curving chair crests of Queen Anne furniture in the United States preceded the artistically bold seat backs that characterized the Chippendale chairs that followed. If there weren't enough dining chairs at suppertime in the American colonies, men were prioritized and women stood.
In the dining rooms of today, however, there is enough space for everyone to have a seat at the table. Modern styles introduce innovative design choices that play with shape and style. Icons of mid-century modern dining room chairs are plentiful: With its distinctive bentwood back, there is the DCW dining chair by Charles and Ray Eames, while Hans Wegner's timeless classic, the Wishbone chair, remains relevant and elegant decades after its debut. Stefano Giovannoni's White Rabbit dining chairs, in their lovable polyethylene biomorphism, reinvent what dining can look like.
Today's wide range of dining room chairs also means that they can now be styled in different ways, bringing functionality and fun to any sumptuous dining space. No longer do tables have to be accompanied by a matching set of seats. Skillfully mixing and matching colors and designs allows you to showcase your personality without sacrificing the cohesion of a given space.
By furnishing your dining room with cozy chairs — vintage, antique or otherwise — family time can extend far beyond mealtime. The plush upholstery of Victorian-style dining room chairs is perfect for game nights that stretch from dinner to midnight snack. Outdoor tables and dining chairs can also present an excellent opportunity for bonding and eating — what goes better with a delicious meal than fresh air, anyway?
Whether you prefer your chairs streamlined and stackable or ornate and one of a kind, the offerings on 1stDibs will elevate your mealtime and beyond.