Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius Desks and Writing Tables

Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm executive desk An executive desk chrome-plated steel and american walnut woo...

Rosewood and metal desk designed by Fabricus & Kastholm in the 60's for BO-EX. This design has a prestigious and architectural look, but has light and airy lines. Furthermore, it com...

BO 550 - Rare free-standing desk with matt chromed steel frame with floating wengé drawer module with aluminum handles. Key included. Designed in the 1960s. Preben Fabricius & Jørgen...

Bespoke 1969 executive desk, model JK 212, by Jørgen Kastholm with complimentary chair An exceptional Bespoke midcentury executive desk constructed in Wenge, stainless steel and chrome with matching black leather chair designed by Jørgen Kastholm for Kill International. Jørgen Kastholm, the prolific Danish architect and industrial designer, met Preben Fabricius in 1961 and began a partnership that generated some of the most sought after designs of the 20th century. Despite only working together for just 7 years they produced a stunning array of chairs, sofas, tables and desks for Alfred Kill of Kill International. Primarily concerned with functional design paired with a minimalist aesthetic their work is instantly recognizable and this is especially so given that they chose to feature steel and leather in their work when many of their Danish counterparts preferred to use wood. Many of their designs are still produced today by Walter Knoll. All their desks are based on a stainless steel main frame, often with chrome legs and always joined by black hex head machine screws. The frame is then configured with additional wooden cabinets and usually finished with a thick glass top or wooden top. As such there are numerous variations on this theme but I have never see another desk like this before. This particular desk is often mis-attributed as being designed by both Fabricius and Kastholm but was actually designed exclusively by Kastholm for Kill in 1969 after he and Fabricius decided to go their own ways. On that basis it is far rarer than the desks they designed together. It most definitely still has all the main elements, as previously described, but also features a black leather panel to the top and a floating bookshelf at the back. This makes it truly unique and was no doubt made as a bespoke item for a particular client. Whilst they did make some desks in Rosewood often the wood in many other listings is mis-attributed. Generally, both for their large conference tables and desks, they preferred to use Wenge which is an exotic tropical hardwood favoured for its strength, durability and figuring. You’ll understand why that strength was important when you see the filing cabinet to the left as it’s monumentally heavy! The desk benefits from fully extendable draws and the original locks and keys and the backs and fronts of the cabinets are finished in black as are many of their desks cabinets. The desk comes supplied with a complimenting chair that matches the desk very well (although the designer is unknown). But this is why I again believe the whole set was bespoke for a client as it features some interesting details. Most noticeable is that the chair is made to the exact dimensions of the desk so that it can be fully pushed under to save space and fits exactly between the cabinets (as well as the arm height being exactly the same height as the cabinets too). Less noticeable, but equally important, is that because of this exact fit it means the key barrels have been recessed into the cabinets to allow space for the chair. You might not consider that terribly significant but if you look at pretty much every desk they made that had lockable draws the key barrels always stick out around 2 cm from the cabinet; so this piece has been specifically designed for purpose. The desk can of course be supplied without the chair (a reduction of £500 would apply) but it would be a shame to separate them as they have been together for over 50 years. But apart from that the chair choice is of fundamental importance, which again is not immediately obvious on first sight. For example, I do have one of the classic Fabricius and Kastholm ‘Tulip...

Beautiful massive and unique desk designed by Preben Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm and manufactured by Kill International. This very well crafted desk is executed in rosewood with typi...

Preben fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm executive desk in rosewood and ebonised wood with matt chromed spring steel frame, front with three drawers. Made by kill international in the 1960...

Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm executive desk An executive desk made of rosewood and chrome-plated steel. Wood in perfect ...

Large natural ash and black dye ash executive writing table with matte chrome steel base and pulls, designed by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm...

Rare large dining or working table designed by Jorgen Kastholm and manufactured by Kill International, Germany 1973. This table has a stainless steel frame and a wenge wooden top. Ve...