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.
Rare Executive Desk Chair in Walnut, Brass and Leather, Palle Suenson, 1940s
By Palle Suenson, Jacob Kjaer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Palle Suenson & Jacob Kjær - Scandinavian Modern A rare executive desk chair by Danish Modenist Architect Palle Suenson (1904-1987) and cabinetmaker Jacob Kjær (1896-1957) a special order for the...
Brass
$8,788
H 36.23 in W 38.59 in D 38.59 in
Rare Black Midcentury Karuselli Chair by Yrjö Kukkapuro for Haimi, 1960s
By Yrjö Kukkapuro
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very sought after Karuselli lounge chair in black designed in 1965 by Yrjö Kukkapuro, made by Haimi, Finland has a fiberglass seat shell and base. Exclusive manufactured leather upho...
Chrome
$4,218
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
Rare Easy Chair, Swedish Modern, 1940s
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Swedish Modern easy chairs, produced during the 1930s, anonymous designer. Newly reupholstered in light beige velvet fabric.
Fabric, Wood
$2,900
H 42.5 in W 36 in D 32 in
George Mulhauser Designed Plycraft Walnut Black Leather Lounge Chair Ottoman
By Plycraft
Located in Essex, MA
George Mulhauser designed Plycraft walnut and Italian leather lounge chairs and ottomans, bent stacked laminated plywood swivel tilting walnut lounge chairs, and ottomans in the style of Eames. They are in excellent condition and professionally restored circa 1960 - 1970. Beautiful patina to the walnut wood frame, reclining black leather...
Leather, Wood
$1,795
H 33.5 in W 21 in D 19 in
Early Saarinen Knoll Executive Task or Desk Chair Tilt Swivel Castors Orig Vinyl
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please note, I have a matching pair of armchairs, see last picture. Executive armchair designed in 1950 by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Associates. This example is from the early '50's, with the earliest tilt mechanism. All original! The original blue vinyl is soft and comfortable, with a couple small repairs I made - see pictures. The padding is soft and everything works as it should. A very sturdy and comfy chair...
Steel
$2,151Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 32.29 in D 27.56 in
Rare Minimalist Vintage Mid-Century Danish Modern Black Leather Swivel Armchair
By Georg Thams
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This rare office armchair was designed by the Danish designer Georg Thams during the 1960s. It is upholstered in black natural leather. It has three loosely placed pillows. The armch...
Metal, Chrome
$16,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 25 in D 20 in
Caned Desk Chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel, Mid-20th Century
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Southampton, NY
Caned desk chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel, Mid-20th Century Made of solid ash barrel back frame with caned back and sides, beautif...
Cane, Ash
$3,456
H 31.89 in W 22.05 in D 23.63 in
Memphis Style Black Brown Modernist Office Chair Desk Chair Matteo Grassi, Italy
By Matteo Grassi
Located in Vienna, AT
Memphis style Black and Brown modern swivelling desk chair or office chair attributed to Matteo Grassi, Italy. A beautiful armchair from ste...
Metal
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in W 25 in D 21 in
Pair of Italian Empire Carved Wood and Leather Swivel Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Striking and sculptural pair of Italian Empire style swiveling armchairs. Round seats and sinuous arms that intertwine to form the back. Frames are finished in a cream lacquer under ...
Wood, Leather
Lucite and Leather Space Age Chairs
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of vintage midcentury Space Age acrylic swivel chairs with blood orange leather and newly powder coated bases.
Metal, Aluminum
$4,101 / item
H 50.01 in W 23.63 in D 20.87 in
Arne Jacobsen Oxford Chairs Model 3272 by Fritz Hansen in Denmark
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of Oxford high backed chairs model 3272 designed by Arne Jacobsen. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark.
Steel
Dakota Jackson Leather Swivel Chair
By Dakota Jackson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Vintage Swivel Arm Chair by Dakota Jackson - a timeless piece of furniture that exudes elegance and sophistication. Crafted wi...
Leather, Wood