Founded in Hellerup, Denmark, by entrepreneur Ejvind Kold Christensen, furniture manufacturer E. Kold Christensen was instrumental in advancing the career of Poul Kjærholm, a revered Danish cabinetmaker who brought a graceful and sleek new style to Scandinavian design.
Christensen and Kjærholm formed not only a close friendship but also a fruitful business partnership that endured for decades. The company produced most of Kjærholm’s acclaimed armchairs, stools and lounge chairs — which were often framed in brushed steel and upholstered in leather — until Kjærholm’s death in 1980.
Christensen began his career as a sales manager for the furniture manufacturer Carl Hansen & Søn. In the late 1940s, Christensen introduced the young Hans Wegner to Carl’s son, Holger Hansen — who was by then running his family’s legendary company — after recognizing the potential of this new designer. Wegner, Hansen and Christensen solidified their partnership by forming SALESCO — a marketing company with the sole purpose of promoting Wegner’s now universally celebrated body of work.
In the mid-1950s, Christensen partnered with promising designer Kjærholm — their pairing was the result of Wegner recommending that Christensen help develop Kjærholm (Wegner had been a teacher of Kjærholm’s at what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts). Christensen established his eponymous company with the singular goal of manufacturing his friend’s works.
E. Kold Christensen’s founder offered Kjærholm the room he needed to explore the structural potential of steel in furniture-making — he created forward-looking seating, tables and other pieces that reflected the influence of modernist designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich rather than the output of his Scandinavian peers, who worked primarily with wood. (Kjærholm would later experiment with wood during the 1970s.)
The refined PK22 chair, a lounger made of steel with a seat of leather or canvas has over time been compared to Mies and Reich’s Barcelona chair and is a fine example of Kjærholm’s mid-century innovations for E. Kold Christensen. It was an instant commercial success — launching both the designer's and manufacturer's careers. Later, Kjærholm’s iconic PK24 chair merged stainless steel, leather and a sinuous seat of woven wicker, while his PK61 coffee table offered a fanciful, off-center support structure for its glass top. By 1960, Kjærholm had twice been awarded the Grand Prize at the Milan Triennale.
In the 1980s, E. Kold Christensen sold the production rights to a range of Kjærholm’s work to Fritz Hansen, where the designer had incidentally worked for a short time in the early 1950s (the company now has rights to the complete collection) . Many of Kjærholm’s works are part of collections at the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, while museums in Norway, Denmark, Germany and Sweden also have his works — each produced by E. Kold Christensen — in their permanent collections.
On 1stDibs, find vintage E. Kold Christensen chairs, tables, lighting and more.
Poul Kjaerholm, Daybed, Leather, Steel, Plywood, E Kold Christensen, 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in High Point, NC
A leather, steel and plywood daybed designed by Poul Kjaerholm and produced by E Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s. Condition: Good Wear consistent with age and use. Very lively pat...
Stainless Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK 80 daybed black leather E. Kold Christensen Denmark 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
PK 80 was one of the most sophisticated works from this period by Kjaerholm. Its striking proportions, the elegance of its materials and connections, and the beauty of the large welt...
Metal
$5,089
H 27.96 in W 24.81 in D 24.81 in
E. Kold Christensen PK22 Lounge Chair by Poul Kjaerholm 1st ed. Denmark - 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Original PK22 Lounge Chair by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen – Denmark, 1956 Stamped with the E. Kold Christensen logo (1st edition manufacturer). A masterclass in minimalist...
Stainless Steel
$6,300
H 30.3 in W 22.8 in D 22.8 in
Poul Kjærholm PK-9 Dining Chairs by E. Kold Christensen Brown Leather, Denmark
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Vienna, AT
Early original 1960's PK9 single chair for E. Kold Christensen (marked), produced circa 1960-1970- We have another set of four available, please inquire. This single chair is in stu...
Steel
$6,317
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 29.93 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Lounge Chair E. Kold Christensen Denmark Steel Leather 1968
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Munster, NRW
First 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...
Steel
$11,500
H 12 in W 74.75 in D 31.5 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed in black leather for Fritz Hansen Denmark
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Skokie, IL
The Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed is an iconic piece that exemplifies the Danish design ethos of simplicity and functionality. Designed in 1968, the PK80 features a minimalist aesthetic...
Stainless Steel
$8,072
H 28.35 in W 24.02 in D 24.81 in
Poul Kjærholm Chair "PK-22" in Patinated Leather by E. Kold Christensen, 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Odense, DK
Rare early E. Kold Christensen production "PK-22" by Poul Kjærholm in original dark brown aniline leather with an amazing deep patina. The leather and canvas upholstery work on these...
Steel
$70,476 / set
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 23.63 in
Midcentury “PK 9” dining chairs by Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen, Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Set of eight beautiful “PK 9”, or as they are also called “Tulipan” dining chairs by Poul Kjærholm. Made with sleek brushed steel bases and organically molded seats. Seats and backs ...
Steel
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 54 in D 28 in
PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This highly collected early production original of the PK-31 loveseat sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen has beautifully aged black leather and patinated steel. Designed...
Steel
$3,357
H 27.96 in W 24.41 in D 25.79 in
"PK22 " Chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen - 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Linkebeek, BE
1960s edition - see stamp - Measures : 62x65,5 H:71cm SH:34cm The PK22 is a chair designed by Danish designer Poul Kjærholm in 1956. It is also known as the PK22 lounge chair. The P...
Steel
Poul Kjærholm Pk-11 Armchair by E Kold Christensen, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Renens, CH
Poul Kjærholm started his working life as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice, unlike many of his fellow designers of that time who were generally trained as architects. After completion of ...
Steel
$24,367Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 25.99 in D 23.63 in
4 Poul Kjaerholm PK9 E. Kold Christensen chairs with seat height extensions
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A set of 4 Danish Mid Century vintage leather and steel PK9 chairs designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen with additional bespoke, later designed, optional seat height extensions. These are a beautifully crafted set of chairs with a simple but striking form that have often been cited as Kjaerholm’s finest work; and for good reason… as the story goes Kjaerholm was inspired by a sand imprint of his wife’s behind from a day at the beach. Later, during the design process, Hanne Kjærholm sat in boxes of clay to find the most optimal and comfortable solution; so now you know. These also have the additional benefit of expertly crafted seat height extensions that can be used or not, depending on the height of your preferred table. Note that these are not original extensions as the chairs didn't ever have such additions as they were designed at a lower height to match Kjaerholm’s PK tables...
Steel
$7,750
H 35.04 in W 31.7 in D 29.14 in
Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen 'PK20' Lounge Chair in Leather
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, lounge chair model 'PK20', leather, chrome-plated steel, Denmark, 1968 A sleek, modern design that embraces clean lines and curvaceous shapes,...
Steel, Chrome
$15,900
H 17 in W 72 in D 30 in
Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen PK 80 Tufted Leather and Flat Bar Steel Daybed
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is the PK 80 daybed By Poul Kjaerholm. The daybed is crafted in a rich tufted leather. The base is made is flat bar steel. The bed has been newly reupholstered.
Cut Steel
Poul Kjærholm, PK 80 Daybed, E. Kold Christensen, circa 1965
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Poul Kjaerholm (Danish 1929-1980) PK 80 daybed, circa 1965 tan leather, chrome-plated steel, lacquered wood, rubber mounts 37cm high x 194cm long x 82cm deep bearing E. Kold Christen...
Steel
Sold
H 31.5 in W 75 in D 12 in
Poul Kjaerholm "PK80" Daybed, by E Kold Christensen, Circa 1950, Denmark
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Mid-Century Poul Kjaerholm "PK-80" Daybed, produced by E. Kold Christensen, circa 1950, Denmark. Rare first edition. Original leather Very decorative piece made with le...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 12.5 in W 76 in D 32.25 in
Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen Early Year PK-80 Daybed, Double Signed
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine collectors example in showroom condition of an early production original of the PK-80 Daybed by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, with original steel frame, double signed with the EKC logo engraved in two different sections of the steel frame, along with the original wood platform and black button-tufted leather cushion. These rare original production examples by EKC have become exceedingly hard to find and are extremely sought after by collectors. New production variants by Fritz Hansen lack the collectibility and appeal of the originals by E. Kold Christensen. If you are considering buying a PK-80 daybed, an EKC double-signed example, like this one, will provide much greater long term asset value and appreciation than the newer Fritz Hansen versions. We highly suggest buying an original PK 80 vs the new versions, and in addition we highly suggest not buying an unsigned example. If you are looking at a PK-80 and the dealer is not showing a photo of the signature in the listing, we suggest asking for a clear photo so you can compare and ensure it is the correct one. If it is not signed, we suggest avoiding the purchase, and instead find one that is signed instead, such as this double-signed rare example. Originally designed in 1957 for Elvind Kold Christensen, this example produced circa 1960, with all original parts, all in excellent vintage condition, a fine collectors example. The only slight issue is one of the eight rubber bands that is used to hold the wood platform to the steel frame is missing as you can see in the photos. This is not noticeable unless you remove the leather mattress and this does not affect its use at all, or its stability. Each leg has two heavy rubber bands so this leg still has one band and is completely stable and does not affect the daybeds use...
Cut Steel
Sold
H 13.39 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Poul Kjaerholm daybed model PK80A, Kold Christensen Edition, 1959
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Antwerp, BE
Extremely rare daybed PK80A , E. Kold Christensen edition, Denmark, 1959 brushed steel frame, structure of green / gray lacquered wood cognac leather matras Provenance: 1st ...
Steel
Sold
H 11.82 in W 74.81 in D 31.5 in
Daybed, Model PK80, by Poul Kjærholm and E. Kold Christensen, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Lejre, DK
Daybed, model PK80, designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1957 and manufactured by E. Kold Christensen in the 1960s. The bed was reupholstered in cognac classic leather circa 1998. Areas of ...
Steel
Sold
H 12.01 in W 32.01 in D 76.5 in
Poul Kjærholm Early Day Bed, Model "PK80" Manufactured by E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Barcelona, ES
Poul Kjærholm (1929-1980). Early day bed, model “PK 80.” Manufactured by E. Kold Christensen. Denmark, 1957. Leather, chromium-plated steel. Measurements: 194,3 cm x 81,3 c...
Steel
PK 80 daybed by Poul Kjaerholm
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in New York, NY
PK 80 daybed with steel frame, brown leather mattress, plywood supports and rubber rings. Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, cir...
PK 80 Poul Kjaerholm by Kold Christensen leather daybed
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
PK 80 Poul Kjaerholm by Kold Christensen leather daybed
Chrome