Fredrik A. Kayser’s light, graceful, ultra-functional chairs, credenzas and dining room tables made him one of the foremost Scandinavian modern creators of his time. An apprentice-level carpenter by trade, he had his first design mass-produced at the young age of 15, foreshadowing a glorious future in the furniture industry.
Rastad & Relling, in Oslo, gave Kayser his start in furniture design straight out of the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry (now the Oslo National Academy of the Arts) in 1945. After a failed attempt to open his own factory, the young but determined designer returned to his former employer and stayed until 1956, when he successfully exited to launch a design studio. He offered freelance design services, created pieces for furnituremaker Viken Møbelfabrikk and collaborated with Knut Sæter, of armchair manufacturer Vatne Lenestolfabrikk.
Kayser and Sæter’s furniture was efficiently made to be packed flat, shipped and assembled at its destination. Introducing this innovative design to the world at the export fair in Helsingør in 1958, the pair found it well received. The partnership between Kayser and Sæter lasted until Kayser’s untimely death a decade later.
Kayser’s mid-century modern pieces won accolades. In 1960, the iconic, streamlined Model 711 series won first prize in the Industry Council for Furniture and Furnishing Industry’s chair competition. And the Model 108 easy chair, created in 1965, won the Award for Design Excellence in 1968 and found fame at the Collection Price Furniture Fair in Oslo in 1983. Many of his pieces are still in production today, including rosewood and teak easy chairs and high-backed lounge chairs.
Find vintage Fredrik A. Kayser seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Scandinavian Sofa Modell 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Karlstad, SE
Sofa model 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S, Norway. This high-quality sofa with timeless design is upholstered in cognac colo...
Leather, Wood
Fredrik Kayser Model-934 Mid Century Teak and Leather Sofa
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Fredrik Kayser Model-934 Mid Century Teak and Leather Sofa This sofa measures: 87 wide x 30 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height of 20.25 inches Excellent...
Leather, Teak
Suede Sofa by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobler, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Suede Two-Seater Sofa by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler. This two-seater sofa, designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler, exemplifies Norwegian Mid-Century Modern design. Newly ...
Suede
Modernist Fredrik Kayser Sofa Model 860 for Vatne Møbelfabrikk 1960s, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunnning and extremely rare model 860 sofa designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobelfabrikk in Norway, 1960's. This sofa has a beautiful sculptural shape and sleek lines, Teak leg...
Fabric, Teak
Expertly Restored - Fredrik Kayser Model-934 Rosewood & Leather Sofa
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Brazilian Rosewood, New Italian Full-Grain Leather, New Goose Down Feather ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture i...
Leather, Rosewood, Feathers
1960s Fredrik Kayser Rosewood Sofa and Lounge Chair by Vatne
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Fredrik Kayser 3-seat rosewood sofa and lounge chair by Vatne This very elegant four-seat sofa set was designed by one of Norway's most ico...
Fabric, Rosewood
Stunning model 550 designed by Fredrik Kayser of Norway, , Scandinavian Design
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning model 550 designed by Fredrik Kayser of Norway, , Scandinavian Design .. Simple elegance.. Sweeping curves. subtle joinery, and perfectly balanced frame creates a piece that...
Fabric, Teak
Mid-Century Scandinavian Leather 3-Seat Sofa by Fredrik A. Kayser, 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Puslinch, ON
Mid-century Scandinavian three-seat leather sofa designed by Fredrik A. Kayser, circa 1965. The sofa pairs a wood frame with leather upholstery in a long, low silhouette, offering ge...
Leather, Wood
$2,950
H 28.5 in W 87 in D 28.5 in
Mid-Century Modern 4-Seat Rosewood & Leather Sofa Knut Saeter for Vatne Møbler
By Knut Sæter, Vatne Møbler
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous leather with rosewood sofa by Knut Saeter for Vatne Møbler. Four seat sofa, very roomy and comfortable. Condition of sofa is grea...
Leather, Rosewood
Fredrik Kayser Rosewood & Sheepskin Ottomans 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in London, England
Fredrik Kayser - Model 965 Ottomans, 1964 A pair of Model 965 ottomans designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrik in Norway. The simple frames are made from solid rosewood ...
Rosewood, Sheepskin
Mid Century Danish Modern Leather Box Sofa after Fredrik Kayser
Located in New York, NY
Chic leather and wood box sofa, made in Denmark circa 1960/70's, in the style of Fredrik Kayser. The sofa features thick, plush leather loose back and se...
Leather, Wood
$3,695
H 30.5 in W 24.25 in D 25.5 in
Model 806 Lounge Chair by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Møbler, Norway, c. 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an iconic model 806 lounge chair designed by Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne Møbler. Found in stunning original, vintage condition this 806 chair is ideal for designers and c...
Leather, Rosewood
Fredrik A. Kayser Rosewood Lounge Chair
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Fredrik A. Kayser rosewood lounge chair.
1960s Fredrik Kayser Leather Lounge Chair
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Frederik Kayser leather lounge chair for Vatne Mobler, Norway. 1960’s. Wingback chair with rosewood base and original cognac leather. Unmarked.
Leather, Rosewood
Fredrik Kayser Model 710 Armchair
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare, out-of-production Model 710 armchair which is similar to Fredrik Keyser's more common Model 711, but features a more upright seating position. Th...
Upholstery, Teak
$1,895
H 28 in W 60.75 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Scandinavian Leather Loveseat by Fredrik A. Kayser, 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Puslinch, ON
Mid-century Scandinavian leather loveseat designed by Fredrik A. Kayser, circa 1965. The two-seat sofa combines a wood frame with leather upholstery, offering a compact footprint tha...
Leather, Wood
$12,500
H 33 in W 96 in D 30 in
Four-Seat Sofa by Hans Olsen, White/ Ivory Leather with Rosewood Legs. Restored.
By Hans Olsen
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early Hans Olsen long four-seat sofa with Brazilian rosewood legs. This has undergone a complete restoration and upholstered in butter soft ivory leather. Comfortable and stunning.
Leather, Rosewood
$3,102
H 39.38 in W 30.71 in D 31.5 in
Sigurd Ressell Falcon lounge chair leather and metal Vatne Norway 1970
By Vatne Møbler, Sigurd Ressell
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
An iconic “Falcon” lounge chair designed by Sigurd Ressell and produced by Vatne Møbler in Norway during the 1970s. The chair features its characteristic suspended construction, wit...
Metal
$5,195
H 37 in W 33 in D 18 in
Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Leather, Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler, Norway, 1960
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and iconic low-profile recliner with matching ottoman designed by the influential Fredrik A. Kayser for the lauded Vatne Møbler. Designed and produced in the late...
Leather
Mid-Century Teak Sofa from Spain
Located in Pasadena, TX
Unique custom teak sofa from Spain. Interesting sofa with inlay teak and chrome on sides and base. We have matching lounge chairs available as well. ...
Teak
$3,500
H 39.75 in W 29 in D 30 in
1960s Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobler of Norway Model 965H Lounge Chair
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Large High Backed 965H Lounge Chair, designed in 1964 by Frederik Kaiser for Vatne Mobler in Norway. This 1960's example has a rosewood base and retains its original black ...
Wood, Rosewood, Leather, Foam
Fredrik A. Kayser Rosewood Easy Chair, Model 711
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fredrik A. Kayser rosewood easy chair, model 711, produced by Vatne Møbler, Norway.
Rosewood, Upholstery
Midcentury Modern Lounge Chairs by Fredrik Kayser, Norway, 1950s
By Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant fire place chairs by Fredrik Kayser, with teak frames, beautifully sculpted. Neat size. Backs and seats upholstered with offwhite sheepskin.
Sheepskin, Teak
Sold
H 29.53 in W 51.19 in D 25.99 in
Fredrik Kayser, Two-Seater Teak Sofa/Loveseat, Model 711, Norwegian circa 1960
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Beautiful Norwegian two-seater sofa or loveseat, model 711, designed by Fredrik A Kayser in 1960 and made by Vatne Lenestolfabrikk. The teak frame has a lovely patina and features r...
Upholstery, Teak
Frederik Kayser Two Seat Sofa, Rosewood and Leather, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Fredrik Kayser two seat sofa original upholstered with black leather. Legs of rosewood. Model 965, made by Vatne Møbelfabrik.
Leather, Rosewood
Frederik Kayser Four-Seat Sofa, Rosewood and Leather, Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Fredrik Kayser four-seat sofa original upholstered with black leather. Legs, frame and armrests of rosewood. Made by Vatne Møbelfabrik.
Leather, Rosewood
Dark Brown Midcentury Scandinavian Sofa by Fredrik Kayser
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Midcentury leather sofa - sofa model 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobler, Norway. A high-quality and rare sofa of generous proportions with ski back sides upholstered in a dark chocolate leather with hints of dark burgundy. The sofa rests on teak Shaker...
Leather
Sold
H 27.5 in W 83.5 in D 31 in
Four-Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather and Rosewood by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Norway
By Kaare Klint, Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Bridgeport, CT
This very elegant and generously sized four-seat sofa was designed by one of Norway's most iconic Designers, Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne sometime in the late 1960s as model 965. We ...
Leather, Rosewood
Sofa in Patinated Leather by Fredrik Kayser
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Lejre, DK
Comfortable two-seat sofa in upholstered in well patinated light brown leather. Designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne in 1960s. The sofa is cleaned, waxed and is from a non smoker ho...
Leather, Rosewood
Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne Mobelfabrikk Model 860 Sofa
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Southampton, NJ
The Fredrik A. Kayser Model 860 sofa reupholstered in a new 100% sheep wool Knoll pattern called "Alter Ego" with new Norwegian rubber suspension straps throughout. This so...
Wool, Rubber, Teak
Mid-Century Sofa by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern sofa. Beautifully designed and masterfully constructed with teak armrest that span the length of the sofa and upholstery continues around the entire f...
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 26 in W 91.5 in D 31 in
Space Age Danish Modern Sofa with Rosewood Legs by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Peabody, MA
Sculptural Scandinavian four-seat "moustache" sofa designed by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Mobler, Norway, circa 1960s. Original upholstery and rosewood legs.
Rosewood, Upholstery
Vatne Mobler Leather and Rosewood Sofa
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a four seater sofa by Vatner Mobler. Black leather with feather down cushions and Brazilian rosewood wood legs. Great charact...
Leather, Rosewood