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.
Early PK1 Chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A first-production example of the PK1 chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm. This chair features a refined and Minimalist frame of bent steel rods with seat and ...
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
$5,681
H 27.56 in W 24.81 in D 28.35 in
! Poul Kjærholm PK 22 Chair Reupholstered in Cowhide E. Kold Christensen 1963
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980) the praised Danish designer, the "furniture architect", designed the emblematic PK22 Chair in 1956. Standing out from the other Danish mid century designers, his predilection material wasn't wood but steel. This PK22 gets its outstanding comfort from the cowhide which is floating above the metal structure, thanks to the curved crossbars that holds the feet together without interfering with the seat's ergonomy. The obviously powerful and effective design speaks for itself, fitting perfectly a more intimate space needing structure and discretion thanks to the thin and light side view, as well as larger rooms thanks to the wide seat and backrest creating subtle geometric shapes. The chair has been reupholstered in an elegant black and white cowhide, whose unique pattern interacts gracefully with the design. The frame bears...
Steel
$26,511Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 25.99 in D 23.63 in
6 Chairs PK9 from Poul Kjaerholm for Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Suite of 6 dining chairs model PK 9 designed by Poul Kjaerholm in 1961 for Kold Christensen. It’s an early edition in good condition. Very rare set made by one of the most sought a...
Metal
$28,405
H 28.35 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
Poul Kjærholm, pair of early PK31 leather lounge chairs for E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover the epitome of Scandinavian Vintage Design with this pair of Poul Kjærholm PK31 lounge chairs, meticulously crafted for E. Kold Christensen. These highly collective pieces a...
Steel
$8,166
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
$16,451
H 27.96 in W 24.81 in D 26.38 in
Set of 2 PK 22 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1955
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Set of Two PK 22 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm, Denmark, 1955. A rare early set of PK22 lounge chairs by Poul Kjærholm, produced by E. Kold Christensen before the manufacturing was taken...
Metal
$24,599Sale 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
$71,013 / 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
$3,396
H 27.96 in W 24.41 in D 25.79 in
"PK22 " Chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen - 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
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 Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen PK 24 Chaise, circa 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Amarillo, TX
Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen chaise Model PK 24 Made in Denmark, circa 1960s Handwoven cane, stainless steel, counterweight custom leather head rest.
Stainless Steel
$17,753
H 30.71 in W 21.66 in D 23.23 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK9 Dining Chair in Original Brown Leather by E. Kold, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Danish mid century dining chair model "PK-9" in steel and brown original leather by Poul Kjærholm produced by E. Kold Christensen Denmark, 1960s. In good original condition and ...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK31 Easy Chair for E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm PK31 easy chair. Dull chromium-plated steel, black colored oxhide, loose down cushions. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.
Steel
Sold
H 29.93 in W 21.66 in D 18.51 in
First Edition PK9 Tulip Chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, DK 1961
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Antwerp, BE
First edition PK9 tulip chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark 1961. This chair features a flat steel frame and the original cognac leather upholstery. Superb patin...
Steel
Set of 6 PK9 Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in New York, NY
Leather, chrome-plated steel, rubber. Produced by E. Kold Christensen. Great set with beautifully patinated metal and leather. Each chair is stamped with makers mark.
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 30 in W 22.8 in D 22.8 in
Early PK9 Chair in Leather by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen / Denmark
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Buffalo, NY
Truly an amazing piece of functional art/ sculpture. Recently acquired from an architect who was living in Denmark in the 50's, 60's, believed to be 1st year production. The PK9 als...
Steel
Early Pair of Poul Kjaerholm PK1 Chairs for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Pair of PK1 chairs designed by Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by E. Kold Christensen. First edition with original roped seats and original untouched condit...
Steel
Sold
H 36 in W 24 in D 36 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Cantiliver Stainless Steel, Cane and Leather Lounge Chair
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in North Miami, FL
This Classic and iconic lounge chair originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm in 1967 was reissued in various formats between 1968-1980. It is wicker cane, brushed stainless steel and h...
Stainless Steel
Set of Four Poul Kjærholm PK1 Chairs for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Dronten, NL
Poul Kjærholm's first design for E. Kold Christensen in great vintage condition. Excellent fast and affordable worldwide shipping available.
Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 22 in D 15 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK9 Chairs for E. Kold Christensen, Original Condition, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Amarillo, TX
Two PK 9 chairs designed by Poul Kjaerholm E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, circa early 1960s. Original dark brown patina leather. Chairs are signed with manufacturers mark.
Chrome, Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK1 Chair
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Dronten, NL
Poul Kjaerholm's first design for E. Kold Christensen in great vintage condition, we have 2 chairs available. Free worldwide shipping!
Cane
Chair "PK3" by Poul Kjaerholm, Denmark 1955
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair "PK3" by Poul Kjaerholm, Denmark 1955
Steel