After training under his cabinetmaker father and then further afield at Berlin’s Institute of Arts and Crafts Museum and in Paris, Danish furniture designer Jacob Kjær crafted classical English-inspired dining chairs, sofas and other pieces that, many decades later, are understated and elegant in any space.
Kjær returned to Copenhagen in 1926 and opened his own workshop after studying in Germany and working as a joiner in France. His collectible works have all the characteristics that are attributed to Scandinavian modernist furniture — his chairs boast gracefully sloping seat backs and arms that mirror works by designers such as Finn Juhl or Hans Wegner, while his tables and other pieces, typically crafted in teak, rosewood or mahogany, are demonstrative of the deep commitment to craftsmanship associated with likeminded artisans who hail from Nordic regions of the world.
A well-known armchair made by Kjær for use at the UN Building in New York City is the spare and sculptural FN chair. While this iconic seat was first constructed in wood and upholstered in durable leather at the designer’s studio, it was later manufactured by Christensen & Larsen and is now available from Kitani, a Japanese company that offers licensed reproductions of chairs by a range of Danish modernist designers such as Ib Kofod-Larsen, Nanna Ditzel and others.
Kjær participated in the Barcelona World Exhibition in 1929 and held leadership roles in the Arts and Crafts Committee for Export and the Danish Arts and Crafts National Association. He also chaired the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild for a period during the 1950s. An example of one of Kjær’s armchairs is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Jacob Kjær seating, side tables, coffee tables and more.
Jacob Kjær, Sofa, Fabric, Beech, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in High Point, NC
A blue fabric and dark-stained wood sofa designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s. In vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and use. Original upholstery retaine...
Fabric, Beech
Danish 1940s Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant and organic looking Danish 1930-40s curved two-seat sofa raised on a beech frame and legs. These type of sofas was manufactured from the 30's and up throug...
Wool, Beech
$4,103
H 34.65 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Scandinavian Modern Armchair by Jacob Kjær, Mahogany & Leather, 1940s
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Jacob Kjær. Armchair upholstered with original patinated leather, with buttons. Frame of mahogany. Made by Jacob Kjær.
Leather, Mahogany
$87,000
H 33.08 in W 93.31 in D 28.35 in
Unique Jacob Kjaer Sofa in Original Niger Leather and Mahogany
By Jacob Kjaer 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jacob Kjaer, sofa, original Niger leather, brass, stained mahogany, Denmark, 1930s Exemplifying the quintessential essence of Danish design of the thirties, this rare sofa by Jacob...
Brass
1940s Curved Danish Cabinetmaker Banana Sofa
By Märta Blomstedt, Viggo Boesen, Flemming Lassen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A superb curved 1940s Danish sofa, reupholstered in the recent past in red and white striped fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Alpaca, Wood
Pair of Jacob Kjaer Green Velvet 1940s Armchairs
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in London, England
Jacob Kjaer - Pair of Lounge Chairs, 1940s A pair of 1940s lounge chairs designed and made by master-cabinetmaker Jacob Kjaer. These examples have been reupholstered in Moss green c...
Wool, Mahogany
$6,400
H 28.5 in W 67.5 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Modern Banana Shaped Sofa, Beech & Wool, Denmark, 1940s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round organic lines and iconic block feet nor...
Wool, Beech
$26,217
H 28.75 in W 84.65 in D 29.93 in
Frits Henningsen "Box Sofa" in Mahogany, Denmark 1940s, 1940's
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Hellouw, NL
A rare box sofa by Danish cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen, dating from around the 1940s. Its enclosed wooden frame and carefully shaped upholstery reflect Henningsen’s refined approach...
Mahogany
Danish 1940s Banana Form Curved Sofa
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super cool Danish 1940s curved three seat sofa raised on a beech frame and legs. These type of sofas was manufactured from the 30's and up through the early 50's. This mode...
Wool, Beech
$13,250
H 29.93 in W 75.79 in D 39.77 in
Danish Cabinetmaker Three-Seater "Banana" Sofa, Denmark 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beautiful Danish three-seater sofa recalls the Art Deco style of the 1930s with the recognisable touch of Danish Modernism. Thanks to its elegantly curved shape, this type of so...
Fabric, Beech
Ole Wanscher, Armchairs, Beech, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Stamford, CT
Ole Wanscher, Danish Mid-Century Modern, Armchairs, Beech, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s Pair of model 1675 armchairs designed by Ole Wanscher for Fritz Hansen in Denmark c. 1940s. Beech,...
Fabric, Beech
Danish 1940s Sheepskin Love Seat Sofa
Located in London, England
Danish Cabinetmaker Love Seat Scallop Sofa, c1940s A uniquely shaped love-seat sofa designed and made in Denmark in the 1940s. This example has been reupholstered in luxurious choco...
Sheepskin, Beech
3 Seater Sofa 1940s
Located in Manzano, IT
Authentic three-seater sofa from the 1940s, a perfect blend of revisited Biedermeier style. The cabinet, characterized by soft, curvy lines, is an ideal piece of history for collecto...
Wicker, Beech
Danish Cabinetmaker Three-Seater Banana Sofa, Denmark 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beautiful Danish three-seater sofa recalls the Art Deco style of the 1930s with the recognizable touch of Danish Modernism. Thanks to its elegantly curved shape, this type of so...
Fabric, Wood
$12,720
H 33.67 in W 78.94 in D 32.29 in
Danish Three-Seater Sofa with Stained Beech Legs, Denmark ca 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
20th century Denmark was a mid-century design hotspot. Simplicity, functionality, and elegance - these are the basic principles of Danish design. From furniture, to architecture, fas...
Fabric, Beech
Curved Danish Sheepskin Sofa, 1940s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful sofa produced in Denmark, 1940s, designer unknown. Professionally reupholstered in high quality sheepskin.
Sheepskin
Danish Modern Settee by Jacob Kjaer, 1940
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful Danish modern settee designed by Jacob Kjaer, 1940s, newly reupholstered with dark stained beech legs.
Upholstery, Beech
Danish Modern Settee by Jacob Kjaer, 1940
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful Danish modern settee designed by Jacob Kjaer, 1940s, dark stained beech legs with a newly upholstered linen fabric.
Upholstery, Beech
Jacob Kjær Three-Seat Sofa
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Jacob Kjær three-seat sofa with deep seats. New upholstered with 100 % New Zealand wool and vintage aniline tubing and buttons. Frame of mahogany. Made by Jacob Kjær in the 194...
Leather, Mahogany, Wool
Rare Sofa by Flemming Lassen
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare sofa in lambs wool with legs of oak and beech. Designed circa 1940. Maker Jacob Kjær.
Oak
Rare Sofa by Henning Helger
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sofa in wool with beech legs. Sides, seat and back upholstered with grey wool. Maker Jacob Kjær.
3-Seat by Jacob Kjær
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
3-seat sofa, reupholstered in Tonica 2-wool (col. 533 and 233) with legs of stained beech. Maker Jacob Kjær.
Two-Seater by Jacob Kjær
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sofa in striped wool and beech legs. Maker / designer Jacob Kjær.
Jacob Kjaer Three-Seat Sofa
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in London, GB
Great quality sofa by master cabinetmaker Jacob Kjaer. Newly upholstered and internally looked over.
Upholstery