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Kaare Klint Furniture

Danish, 1888-1954

Architect, teacher and furniture designer Kaare Klint is among the most important figures in Scandinavian modernism. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint sought to pay homage to historical furniture styles and prized functionality as essential to designing for modern living. He established the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and his students became mid-century legends of cabinetry and furniture-making.

Klint prioritized functionalism and drew on an array of influences in his own work. Furniture experts will observe the influence of 18th-century English seating in his Red chair, while Klint’s iconic Safari chair had roots in campaign furniture. The other exemplary chairs, sofas and tables for which he is known bear the mark of Thomas Chippendale and Biedermeier furniture as well as Greek and Roman forms.

Klint's father was Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, a formidable architect of his day. The younger Klint initially followed in his father’s footsteps, studying under him as well as distinguished architect Carl Petersen. Alongside Danish architect Ivar Bentsen, he headed the renovation of the Designmuseum Denmark in Copenhagen from 1920–26 (Klint also furnished the institution as part of the project). Around the same time, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the Royal Danish Academy. The impact of his role as an instructor there cannot be overstated — he mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher.

A prominent advocate of ergonomics, Klint valued comfort and functionality over style. Painstaking research went into each piece of sophisticated yet wholly unadorned furniture he designed, as he endeavored to build structures that took into consideration human proportions and scale. And like the Shakers, Klint believed that quality craftsmanship and good materials were integral to the design of durable furniture that was free of embellishment.

The humble grace of Klint’s style characterizes legendary seating designs that continue to charm today’s legions of mid-century modern enthusiasts. His Safari chair, Faaborg chair, Ravenna armchair and Propeller stool — as well as most of the seating created by Danish modernists generally — have warmed interiors and influenced furniture designers all over the world.

Find vintage Kaare Klint furniture and other Scandinavian modern furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Kaare Klint
Dealer: Another Classic ApS
Kaare Klint Sofa, three seater, model 6092
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint sofa in green wool with white stripes. Legs of mahogany. Made by Rud Rasmussen, model 6092.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Wool, Mahogany

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Pair of Safari Chairs
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Pair of Safari chairs new upholstered with vintage aniline leather. New straps of butt hide leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair with ottoman
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with Vintage aniline leather. With ottoman. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with Vintage aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated lea...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair, Original Leather, 1960s
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chairs original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Pair of Safari Chairs
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Pair of Safari chairs new upholstered with vintage aniline leather. New straps of butt hide leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair, Original Leather, 1960s
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chairs original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Pair of Safari Chairs
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Pair of Safari chairs new upholstered with mokka aniline leather. New straps of butt hide leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by Ru...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with black aniline leather. Straps in new butt leather. Frame in solid ash...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair, Original Leather, 1960s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made b...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Propellar Stool
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Propellar stool. With tray. Original black leather. Frame in solid stained ash. Model Propellar 8783, made by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with black aniline leather. Straps in new butt leather. Frame in solid ash...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with black aniline leather. Straps in new butt leather. Frame in solid ash black laquered ash. Model Safari chair, m...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint Sofa Table, Cuba Mahogany
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint sofa table. In Cuba mahogany. Made by Rud Rasmussen. Marked with Rud Rasmussen sticker.
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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Kaare Klint Red Chair, Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s
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Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Cognac Leather for Rud Rasmussen Denmark
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
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Three-seater sofa model 5011 in original leather and eight-legged ash base. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen Cabinetmakers, Denmark. Minor marks on the frame, patina to the leather. Shown at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition in 1935. Kaare Klint is widely recognized as the father of Danish modern design. It is hard to overstate his influence. He developed an entirely new analytical approach to furniture design that his students at the Danish Academy of Art would emulate for years to come, yet was also inspired by historic designs from various cultures, modernizing and re-interpreting classic pieces for new generations. Literature: Gorm Harkær, Klintiana: “Kaare Klint”, vol.2, pg 94. Kaare Klint (1888-1954) is regarded as the founding father of Danish Modernim. As an architect, furniture designer and leading professor at the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Klint established the principles of modern Danish furniture by combining a profound appreciation of traditional construction techniques with a modernist emphasis on function and a rejection of ornaments. Klint’s design was always based on relentless research; he never compromised. Every piece had to fulfill its purpose, be completely clear in its construction with dimensions and proportions corresponding to the human body and display materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality. Logic, often using a mathematical system of measures, and a constructive way of thinking were the foundation of Klint’s philosophy of furniture design. Like many of his contemporaries, counting Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, he advocated standardization and functional requirements and dismissed the use of all ornamentation. But Klint realized his vision in wood and leather, using traditional craftsmen and working methods and often finding inspiration in historical models. In this way, he charted the course for an alternative Nordic Functionalism that idealized the workshop and the collaboration between furniture architects and cabinetmakers as opposed to the factory. Kaare Klint’s first major work was a collaboration with his mentor, the architect Carl Petersen. In 1914 they were commissioned to design furniture and fixtures for Faaborg Art Museum. One of the highlights to emerge from this commission was the Faaborg chair, a light and elegant chair with clear references to classical furniture. The construction and proportions of an 18th century English Chippendale...
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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Set of Four 'Red Chairs' in Original Leather
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Previously Available Items
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

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Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Classic Danish Mid-Century Table Lamp 306 "Kiplamp" Designed by Kaare Klint
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
The grand father of Danish design Kaare Klint designed this beautiful brass lamp in 1945 and added a functionality to the lamp that hasn't been seen before at that time: The lamp cou...
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1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chairs
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Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chairs original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made b...
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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chairs
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chairs
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint Coffee Table in Mahogany for Rud, Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint coffee table in mahogany. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØRREBROGAD/KØBENHAVN, penciled number
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1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

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Kaare Klint Sofa Model No 5011 Produced by Rud. Rasmussen in Denmark
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Very rare sofa model no 5011 designed by Kaare Klint. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen in Denmark. Original upholstered with patinated Niger leather.
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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair, Original Leather, 1960s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair with ottoman
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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with Vintage aniline leather. With ottoman. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by Rud Rasmussen.
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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair, Original Leather, 1960s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chairs original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made ...
Category

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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair, Original Leather, 1960s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chairs original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Furniture

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Red Chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Mahogany and Goat Leather
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
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Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair, Original Leather, 1960s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chairs original patinated aniline leather. Straps maintained in the original patinated leather. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, m...
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Red Chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Mahogany and Goat Leather
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large armchair in mahogany and new upholstered with goat leather. Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen cabinet makes in the 1929. Made in Denmark.
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Kaare Klint furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Kaare Klint furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kaare Klint furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 198 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Kaare Klint were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Rud Rasmussen, Peter Hvidt, and Henning Kjærnulf. Prices for Kaare Klint furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $765 and can go as high as $148,124, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,400.
Questions About Kaare Klint Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    In 1933, Kaare Klint created the safari stool for noted furniture retailer Carl Hansen and Son. This chair was inspired by an officer’s chair Klint saw in a travel guide. It was one of the first DIY pieces of furniture that came unassembled but was easily put together without tools. Shop a collection of Carl Hansen furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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