$9,647Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 27.56 in W 25.6 in D 28.35 in
Three Paper Knife Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Hellouw, NL
Set of three paper knife chairs, model 121, by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen from Denmark 1960s
Teak, Fabric
$3,335
H 29.14 in W 25.2 in D 28.75 in
Model 121 Paper knife easy chair by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Ranst, VAN
. Known as the ‘Paper Knife’ chair for its sharp-edged armrests. This easy chair is designed in 1955. It
Teak
$8,580
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chair
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Paper Knife Chair, 1955 The Model 121 lounge chair is widely considered one of
Rosewood, Leather
$9,541
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chair
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Paper Knife Chair, 1955 The Model 121 lounge chair is widely considered one of
Wool, Rosewood
$19,152 / set
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Paper Knife Chair, 1955 The Model 121 lounge chair is widely considered one of
Wool, Rosewood
$17,161 / set
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Paper Knife Chair, 1955 The Model 121 lounge chair is widely considered one of
Leather, Rosewood
$19,152 / set
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Paper Knife Lounge Chairs, 1955 A pair of lounge chairs produced by Magnus
Wool
$18,534 / set
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Pair of paper knife model lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen
Wool, Rosewood
$2,948
H 29.14 in W 25.01 in D 29.93 in
Fully Restored Customizable Kai Kristiansen Teak Paper Knife Lounge Chair
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Knebel, DK
Fully restored Kai Kristiansen teak paper knife lounge chair custom repholstery Model 121 known as
Teak
$5,995 / set
H 28 in W 23 in D 27 in
Kai Kristiansen No 121 Mid Century Paper Knife Teak Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen No 121 mid century paper knife teak lounge chairs - pair Each chair measures: 23
Upholstery, Teak
$9,827 / set
H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 25.2 in
Pair of Danish Design Paper Knife Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen in Teak Black
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Rare pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs in teak and black leather (faux) design by Kai
Faux Leather, Teak
Pair Old Hickory Furniture Upholstered Big Ranch Chairs.
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Vero Beach, FL
(from the Tennessee Valley) for superior strength and durability. These Big Ranch Chairs include knife
Upholstery, Hickory
$1,191
H 34.65 in W 16.15 in D 13.78 in
19th Century Spanish Hand-Carved oak Side Chair with Velour Seat
Located in Meulebeke, BE
traditional knife-carved motifs. The chair’s rustic silhouette and tactile surface showcase the artisanal
Velvet, Oak
$1,191
H 34.26 in W 16.15 in D 13.39 in
19th Century Spanish Hand-Carved oak Side Chair with Velour Seat
Located in Meulebeke, BE
traditional knife-carved motifs. The chair’s rustic silhouette and tactile surface showcase the artisanal
Velvet, Oak
$1,191
H 35.83 in W 16.93 in D 15.36 in
19th Century Spanish Hand-Carved oak Side Chair with Velour Seat
Located in Meulebeke, BE
traditional knife-carved motifs. The chair’s rustic silhouette and tactile surface showcase the artisanal
Velvet, Oak
$1,191
H 35.83 in W 16.93 in D 15.36 in
19th Century Spanish Hand-Carved oak Side Chair with Velour Seat
Located in Meulebeke, BE
traditional knife-carved motifs. The chair’s rustic silhouette and tactile surface showcase the artisanal
Velvet, Oak
$1,191
H 35.04 in W 15.95 in D 14.57 in
19th Century Spanish Hand-Carved oak Side Chair with Velour Seat
Located in Meulebeke, BE
traditional knife-carved motifs. The chair’s rustic silhouette and tactile surface showcase the artisanal
Velvet, Oak
$9,000
H 29 in W 44.5 in D 29.5 in
Rare 1948 James Mont Designed Wide Tufted Seat Lounge Chair Oval Back Cushion
By James Mont
Located in St. Louis, MO
client through his shop, he might suddenly start to slash at a chair with a knife, declaring it
Upholstery, Foam, Sycamore
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Lounge Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus
Wool
Unavailable
H 29.14 in W 58.67 in D 34.65 in
Set of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Easy Chairs 1950s Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in St-Brais, JU
A set of Kai Kristiansen’s most celebrated design: two ‘Paper knife’ chairs crafted from solid teak
Teak, Wool
1960s Teak Paper-Knife Lounge Chair by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Magnus Olesen of Denmark. Referred to as the "Paper-Knife" chair due to the sculptural woodwork to the
Fabric, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Model 121 Teak Lounge Chair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Panningen, N-Limburg
known as the ‘paper knife’ chair, named after its slender curved armrests. Made out of solid teak wood
Fabric, Teak
Danish Teak Paper Knife Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen, 'Pair'
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A rare pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs in teak and purple wool designed by Kai
Wool, Teak
Unavailable
H 34.26 in W 30.71 in D 29.14 in
Danish Teak Easy Chair with Ottoman by Kai Kristiansen Model Paper Knife 50s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in St-Brais, JU
Mid-century easy chair designed by Kai Kristiansen. This model Paper Knife features a maching foot
Wool, Teak
Unavailable
H 28.75 in W 25.2 in D 29.14 in
Teak Paper Knife Armchair, Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
wood, these chairs feature a warm, honey-colored finish that accentuates the natural beauty of the
Fabric, Teak
Unavailable
H 27.96 in W 24.81 in D 29.93 in
Mid Century Teak Paper Knife Armchair by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Set of two Midcentury Teak "Paper Knife" Armchairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
Fabric, Teak
Unavailable
H 27 in W 25 in D 29 in
1955 Kai Kristiansen Teak Model 121 Paper Knife Easy Chair Made in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Kai Kristansen teak “Paper Knife” easy chair for Magnus Olesen. Made in Denmark. New memory
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chair
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, GB
A classic Kai Kristiansen paper knife chair. Lovely colored and figured frames which have been
Felt, Hardwood
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, GB
A matching pair of Kai Kristiansen paper knife chairs. They can be purchased separately. Lovely
Felt, Hardwood
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Arguably Kai Kristiansen's most popular design, the model 121 'Paper Knife' chair is named after
Fabric, Teak, Wool
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
A pair of Kai Kristiansen's iconic Paper Knife chairs in beautiful Brazilian rosewood. Designed in
Fabric, Rosewood
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen, Domus Danica
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1960s. A rare pair of Model 121 - or Paper Knife - lounge chairs designed by Kai
Wool, Upholstery, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Paper-Knife Chair, Easy Chair Teak
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Hamburg, DE
This vintage paper knife lounge chair designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, is a beautiful
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Teak Lounge Paper Knife Chair, circa 1966 Magnus Olesen, Denmark
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Munster, NRW
Arguably Kai Kristiansen's most popular design, the model 121 'Paper Knife' chair is named after
Teak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Teak Lounge Paper Knife Chair, circa 1966 Magnus Olesen, Denmark
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Munster, NRW
Arguably Kai Kristiansen's most popular design, the model 121 'Paper Knife' chair is named after
Teak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
1960s Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper knife Chairs For Magnus Olesen, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
find original pair of ‘Paper knife’ chairs crafted from solid rosewood. One of the most graceful and
Rosewood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 25.2 in D 29.93 in
Set of 2 Paper Knife Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Ranst, VAN
Set of two vintage Paper Knife chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in Denmark
Fabric, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chair, Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Paper knife lounge chair, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood 'Paper Knife' Chair
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
The iconic 'Paper Knife' model 121 chair from Danish designer Kai Kristiansen in solid rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Teak Paper Knife Chair, 1955
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Constructed from teak wood. New cushions upholstered in Kvadrat Hallingdal #200 wool fabric.
Wool, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Chair, 1955
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Constructed from rare Brazilian rosewood. New cushions upholstered in premium aniline black leather.
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of "Paper Knife" Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kai Kristiansen Model 121 - Pair of 'Paper Knife' easy chairs in rosewood with grey wool. Maker
Rosewood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Model 121 Paper Knife Chair for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
An outstanding solid rosewood model 121 ‘Paperknife’ chair designed in 1955 by Kai Kristiansen
Rosewood
Sold
H 26.78 in W 25.2 in D 28.35 in
Danish Kai Kristiansen Paper-Knife Chair, Easy Chair Teak, with New Blue Fabric
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Hamburg, DE
This vintage paper knife lounge chair designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, is a beautiful
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 23.63 in
6 Danish Paper Knife Chairs in Rosewood & Ivory Bouclé by Henning Kjaernulf
By Korup Stolefabrik, Henning Kjærnulf, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A set of six 1960s Danish rosewood dining chairs by Henning Kjaernulf for Korup Stolefabrik
Bouclé, Hardwood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Rosewood Model 121 Paper Knife Chairs by Kai Kristiansen, Kvadrat Fabric
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
An outstanding pair of solid rosewood Model 121 ‘Paperknife’ chairs designed in the late 1950s by
Rosewood
1950s Pair of Teak Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Lounge Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Modern Pair of Danish Teak Model 121 Paper Knife Chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 30 in W 25 in D 29 in
Paper Knife' Grey Suede + Teak Chair by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chicago, IL
A Scandinavian Modern ‘Paper Knife’ chair designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in the
Suede, Teak
Sold
H 27.96 in W 24.02 in D 17.72 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak Troja Dining Chairs Set of Four by Kai Kristiansen
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
in the 1960s. The arms of this curved, round back chair bear similarities to the Paper Knife chair
Teak
Kai Kristiansen paper knife rosewood lounge chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Dublin, IE
Paper knife Lounge chairs 1955 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark 1950’s in bouclé wool
Wool, Rosewood
Very Rare Pair of Coultoulier, Knife Maker's Chairs
Located in Round Top, TX
A very rare pair of early 19th century Coultoulier - Knife Maker's chairs. A true example of Arte
Beech
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chair
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Paper knife lounge chair, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chair
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife lounge chair, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Pair of model 121 'Paper Knife' lounge chairs produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Designed in 1955
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chair
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Paper knife lounge chair, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Vintage Paper Knife Lounge Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen
Wool, Hardwood
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Rosewood Lounge Chairs, 1955
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in 1955 and produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Constructed from solid Brazilian rosewood. New cushions covered in Kvadrat Divina wool felt....
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Model 161 Chairs, circa 1955
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen paper knife model 161 chairs, circa 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Teak
Teak, Wool
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen. Model 121 'Paper Knife' lounge chairs. Early stamped editions constructed
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood and Leather Paper Knife Lounge Chair
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Paper knife lounge chair, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in highly
Rosewood, Leather
Sold
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 27.56 in
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Pair of paper knife model lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen
Wool, Rosewood
Sold
H 28 in W 25 in D 28 in
Kai Kristiansen "Paper Knife" Sculpted Teak Lounge Chair for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kai Kristiansen "Paper Knife" sculpted teak lounge chair for Magnus Olesen.
Teak
Sold
H 28 in W 25 in L 28 in
Kai Kristiansen Magnus Olesen Paper Knife Teak Danish Modern Lounge Chair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Kai Kristiansen Magnus Olesen paper knife teak Danish modern lounge chair. Item features a solid
Teak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
‘Paper Knife’ Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark 1955
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of two ‘Paper Knife’ lounge chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark 1955
Fabric, Wool, Teak
Sold
H 27.96 in W 25.2 in D 29.93 in
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Lounge Chair Teak & Bouclé Wool Dedar 1960s Easy
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Basel, BS
Kai Kristiansen ‚Paper Knife‘ lounge chair made in Denmark by Magnus Olesen in the 1960s. Solid
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 25.01 in D 28.75 in
Pair Of Paper Knife Lounge Chairs By Kai Kristiansen Danish Mid Century
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Norwich, GB
Superb pair of Danish mid century teak ‘Paper Knife’ lounge chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for
Teak, Wool, Bouclé
Sold
H 32 in W 25 in D 33 in
A Pair of Danish Teak 'Paper Knife' Model 121 Lounge Chair by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A rare pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs in teak and purple wool designed by Kai
Wool, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Sofa, 1955
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Paper knife sofa, 1955 Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Rarely seen
Wool, Rosewood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 25.2 in D 31.5 in
Set of Two Paper Knife Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
. This model, "Model 121" is also called paper knife and is made of very high quality solid teak wood
Wool, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paper Knife Sofa, 1955
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen. Paper Knife sofa, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Rarely seen
Wool, Rosewood
Pair of Kai Kristiansen 'Paper Knife' Easychairs 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Pair of fine Kai Kristiansen 'Paper Knife' easychairs. Manufactured by Magnus Olesen in beautiful
Wood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Paper Knife Sofa, 1955
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen. Paper Knife sofa, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Rarely seen
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Paper Knife Sofa, 1955
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen. Paper Knife sofa, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Rarely seen
Wool, Rosewood
French Mid-19th Century Couteallier Chair
Located in Round Top, TX
A very rare mid-19th century Couteallier chaise, knife maker's chair in pine. A wonderful and very
Pine
Sold
H 34.06 in W 16.34 in D 13.59 in
19th Century Spanish Hand-Carved oak Side Chair with Velour Seat
Located in Meulebeke, BE
traditional knife-carved motifs. The chair’s rustic silhouette and tactile surface showcase the artisanal
Velvet, Oak
Pair of Italian Tailored Frame Modernist Armchairs
Located in North Miami, FL
Medium sized chairs with a knife edge armrest and shiny brass legs. Very sturdy and in a neutral
Brass
$4,645
H 28.75 in W 65.75 in D 32.29 in
1960s Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife 3-Seater Teak Sofa in Leather , Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Praha, CZ
- Skelet in very good original condition - Leather pillows in good original conditions - Patinated leather
Leather, Teak
$4,288
H 30.71 in W 25.6 in D 31.5 in
Paper Knife Armchair by Kai kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1956
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Barcelona, ES
Paper Knife armchair designed in 1956 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Teak frame upholstered with new wool fabric from Kvadrat.
Fabric, Teak
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.
While this specific seating is known to all for its comfort and familiar form, the history of how your favorite antique or vintage lounge chair came to be is slightly more ambiguous.
Although there are rare armchairs dating back as far as the 17th century, some believe that the origins of the first official “lounge chair” are tied to Hungarian modernist designer-architect Marcel Breuer. Sure, Breuer wasn’t exactly reinventing the wheel when he introduced the Wassily lounge chair in 1925, but his seat was indeed revolutionary for its integration of bent tubular steel.
Officially, a lounge chair is simply defined as a “comfortable armchair,” which allows for the shape and material of the furnishings to be extremely diverse. Whether or not chaise longues make the cut for this category is a matter of frequent debate.
The Eames lounge chair, on the other hand, has come to define somewhat of a universal perception of what a lounge chair can be. Introduced in 1956, the Eames lounger (and its partner in cozy, the ottoman) quickly became staples in television shows, prestigious office buildings and sumptuous living rooms. Venerable American mid-century modern designers Charles and Ray Eames intended for it to be the peak of luxury, which they knew meant taking furniture to the next level of style and comfort. Their chair inspired many modern interpretations of the lounge — as well as numerous copies.
On 1stDibs, find a broad range of unique lounge chairs that includes everything from antique Victorian-era seating to vintage mid-century modern lounge chairs by craftspersons such as Hans Wegner to contemporary choices from today’s innovative designers.