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.
Fredrik A. Kayser Teak Vatne Lenestolfrabikk Side Tray Table, Norway, 1950s
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Rome, IT
Solid teak side table with removable tray, Norway, 1950s circa. Made and marked by VATNE Lenestolfabrikk Norway, by the designer Fredrik A. Kays...
Wood, Teak
Mid Century Modern Dining Set, Round Table with 4 Fredrik Kayser Chairs no. 125B
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Viken Møbelfabrik, Dřevotvar Jablonné
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This gorgeous dining set is great example of how Mid Century Modern designs can work together coming from different origins but same design era. The table comes from former Czechoslo...
Wood
Vintage teak adjustable Scandinavian table, dining and coffee by Frederik Kayser
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
A rare and ingenious table that can be used as a dining table or a large coffee table. A clever tubular metal mechanism allows for easy height adjustment. With its double X-shaped le...
Metal
$1,995 / set
H 40.5 in W 19 in D 18.25 in
Arthur Umanoff Mid-Century Modern Granada Dining Table with Four Chairs
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 5-piece dining set which includes 4 high back chairs and a round glass top table that is 29.5 height and 36 in diameter Set is designed by ...
Iron
Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield 8 Piece Dining Set
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield 8 Piece Dining Set The Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield 8 Piece Dining Set is a timeless representation of mid-century design excellence. Th...
Fabric, Wood
Teak Tray Side Table, Danish Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful teak tray side table, top is removable and legs fold together. Ready for a new home.
Teak
$750
H 20 in W 26.5 in D 16 in
Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table, 1950s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table A chic bronze faux bamboo table, the tray top with handles raised on a folded base. Stamped Jansen Industria, Ar...
Bronze
$6,450 / set
H 32.88 in W 78.75 in D 63.19 in
Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Set with Table, Bench, Set of Chairs
By Rainer Daumiller
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set consisting of a dining table, bench, and pair of chairs, solid beech, Scandinavia, 1980s This expansive dining room set is a rare find, distinguished by its exceptio...
Beech
$2,621Sale Price|25% Off
H 29 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in
1970’s Scandinavian Modern D Scan Teak Draw Leaf Expanding Dining Table
By D-Scan
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Scandinavian Modern D Scan teak draw leaf expanding dining table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new s...
Teak
$2,000 / set
H 29 in Dm 30 in
Woodard Black Cafe Set with Round Glass Table & Two Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Woodard Furniture Co., John Woodard
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Original Russell Woodard Black Round Cafe Table with 2 "Sculptura" Dining Side Chairs. Featuring three pieces, including: a round (29.25D X 29.H) Black enameled Wrought Iron table, w...
Wrought Iron, Wire
$14,000 / set
H 31 in W 22 in D 25 in
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Set of 8 Chairs and Dining Conference Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Milo Baughman attributed dining or conference room set consisting of 8 chrome upholstered chairs and sqaure 60x60 dining table. The chairs upholstered in suede light...
Chrome
$2,114Sale Price|57% Off
H 29.14 in W 105.12 in D 39.38 in
Midcentury Modern Scandinavian Teak Dining Table created by Niels O. Møller
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Elegant Niels O. Møller teak dining table produced by J.L. Moller. It is extendable on both sides, doubling the top surface. A playful deta...
Wood
French Rattan Elephant Tray Table or Drinks Table, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching woven rattan end table or drinks table with removable tray top. France, 1940s-1950s. This elephant shaped end table stand was beautifully constructed in hand braided rat...
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 56 in D 33 in
Danish Modern Teak Drop Leaf Dining Table, Scandinavian Style, 1970
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish Modern Teak Rectangle Drop Leaf folding dining Table made in Denmark. Very clean table with 2 fold down leaves ready for use. Seats 4-6 chairs...
Teak
1960s Scandinavian Modern Danish Solid Teak Round Dining Table
By Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner, Eero Saarinen
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Very elegant 1960s round dining table Made in Denmark, unusually constructed from solid teak wood (not veneered). Quintessential Scandinavian Modern design: minimal, fine materials, highly practical, clean smooth lines, sturdy construction and timeless aesthetic. The table has a diameter of 40 in (100 cm) and a single leg, which achieves an uncluttered appearance under the table and buttressing into four feet that rise a low profile parallel to the floor. This leg form in teak bears a striking resemblance to the iconic La Fonda base by Charles Eames, which was cast in Aluminum. Table height is standard 28.5 in (72 cm). The leg and feet are also carved from beautiful solid, strait grained teak. The table has been professionally refinished in a hard wax oil which faithfully presents the original look and feel whilst providing contemporary levels of robust protection. The table has only extremely minor signs of wear considering the age and use. This timeless table shows every promise of gracing a kitchen or dining room for another 60 years, and then some. The contemporaneous cognac leather shell chairs...
Steel
Fredrik Kayser “Captains” Dining Table for Gustav Bahus, 1959
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Hilversum, NL
Dining table, known as "Skipsrederbordet," designed by Fredrik Kayser and produced in Norway by Gustav Bahus in the 1950s. Crafted from teak with intricately sculpted solid teak legs...
Teak
Sold
H 71.5 in W 190 in D 97.5 in
Scandinavian Modern"Captains" Dining Table by Fredrik Kayser, Norway, 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant “Captain’s” dining table by Fredrik Kayser, made from teak with brass feet. Two extra leaves stored cleverly inside the table. Cool chunky design with streamlined curves. ...
Teak
Sold
H 38.39 in W 74.81 in L 38.39 in
"Captains" Dining Table by Fredrik Kayser, Gustav Bahus, Norway, 1950s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Hägersten, SE
Dining table model "Skipsrederbordet" designed by Fredrik Kayser. Produced in Norway by Gustav Bahus during the 1950s. Made from teak with sculpted solid teak legs ended with custom ...
Brass
Fredrik A. Kayser Teak Vatne Side Tray Table Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Munich, DE
Fredrik A. Kayser (Norway) Solid teak side table with removable tray. Made and marked by VATNE Lenestolfabrikk Norway. Very nice conditions.
Wood
Fredrick Kayser for Gustav Bahus of Norway Dining Table
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in New York, NY
Teak Danish Modern style dining table designed by Fredrik Kayser for Gustav Bahus of Norway. This example comes with two 13.75" leaves,...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Tripod Side Table by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Peabody, MA
Sturdy teak tripod end or accent table with guitar pick or wedge shaped top, made in Norway, ca. mid 1950s, by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne. The top is carved from solid teak.
Teak