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.
Adjustable Brass and Bakelite Wall and Table Lamp 306 by Kaare Klint, 1950s
By Le Klint, Kaare Klint
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
The original Kaare Klint Wall and table lamp 306 "Kiplamp". This unusual vintage wall & desk light was designed by Kaare Klint for Le Klint in Denmark. First produced in the 1940s t...
Brass
Le Klint Brass Wall or Table Lamp by Kaare Klint "Model 306", Danish Modern
By Le Klint, Kaare Klint
Located in Odense, DK
Rare black edition of the "model 306" by Kaare Klint for Le Klint. Designed in 1945 the "Kip lamp" as it was known, can be used as either a table or wall lamp due to its ingenious ti...
Brass
Vintage Danish Table or Wall Lamp Model 306 by Kaare Klint for Le Klint, 1960s.
By Le Klint, Kaare Klint
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Table or Wall Lamp Model 306 by Kaare Klint for Le Klint, 1960s. Iconic and stylish Danish Mid-Century modern original adjustable wall and table lighting designed by ...
Brass
$3,497
H 59.06 in Dm 31.5 in
Danish Modern Le Klint Floor Lamp Designed by Vilhelm Wohlert, 1960s, Denmark
By Le Klint, Vilhelm Wohlert
Located in Værløse, DK
An iconic Danish Modern Le Klint 325 floor lamp designed by Vilhelm Wohlert in 1957 and crafted in Oregon pine. This particular vintage version is from th...
Brass
Table or Wall Lamp Vienna, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll
Located in Wien, Au
Table lamp or wall lamp vienna 1950s Brass polished and stove enamelled Rare modell.
Aluminum, Brass
$4,080
H 11.42 in W 5.91 in D 7.88 in
Rare & Adjustable Mid-Century Modern Stilnovo Wall or Table Lamp Italy 1950s
By Stilnovo
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare and elegant Mid-Century Modern table / wall lamp by Stilnovo, Itlay, 1950. With adjustable diffusor in original green color. Executed in brass and painted aluminiu...
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage Le Klint Scissor Lamp in Oak from the 1960s
By Le Klint
Located in Søborg, DK
Iconic vintage Le Klint scissor lamp down light in oak from the 1960s. The oak has been lightly sanded and waxed without removing the beautiful dark patina to the wood. In great vin...
Oak
$1,165Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.45 in W 4.34 in D 14.97 in
Brass Table / Wall Lamp By Jean Boris Lacroix For Falkenbergs, Sweden 1950s
By Falkenbergs Belysning, Jean Boris Lacroix
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful designed table / wall lamp by Jean Boris Lacroix for Falkenbers Belysning in Sweden in the 1950s. The lamp is made of brass with a aluminum patrol color perforated shade an...
Aluminum, Brass
Kaare Klint, Table Lamps, Brass, Rubber, Denmark, 1950s
By Kaare Klint
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and rubber table lamps or wall lights designed by Kaare Klint and likely produced by Le Klint, Denmark, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15.25"H x 6"W x 8"D B...
Brass
Kaare Klint BV1 wall and table lamp in brass, Bergboms, Sweden, 1950s
By Bergboms, Kaare Klint
Located in Forserum, SE
This exceptional BV1 lamp, designed by renowned Danish architect Kaare Klint in 1945, offers the versatility of both a wall and table fixture. Originally designed for Le Klint as mod...
Brass
$3,147 / set
H 18.12 in Dm 14.57 in
Set of Ceramic Table Lamps by Esben Klint for Le Klint, 1950s, Denmark
By Le Klint, Palshus Stentoj, Palshus, Esben Klint
Located in Værløse, DK
A pair of exquisite ceramic desk lamps designed by Esben Klint for Le Klint in 1949 and produced by Palshus in the 1950s. * A set of two (2) brown ceramic desk lamps with hand-pleat...
Ceramic, Plastic
$1,865
H 21.66 in W 43.31 in D 14.18 in
Rare Extra Large Le Klint SAX Wall Lamp of Oak with Original Lamp Shade 1960s
By Tage Klint, Le Klint, Erik Hansen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Rare and extra large edition of the original vintage Le Klint wall lamp designed by Erik Hansen. It's made of solid oak with original vintage Le Klint lamp...
Plastic, Oak
$1,433
H 15.75 in W 50.01 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Scissor Wall Lamp by Le Klint, Teak, Denmark, 1958
By Erik Hansen, Le Klint
Located in Den Haag, NL
For sale is this iconic Le Klint scissor wall lamp, in teak Design by Erik Hansen in the 1950s. This is a large specimen measuring 127cm 50 inches off the wall. Comes with its origin...
Oak
$3,963 / item
H 27.56 in W 11.82 in D 30.32 in
Danish Modern Adjustable Wall Lamp by Louis Poulsen & Le Klint, 1960s
By Louis Poulsen, Le Klint
Located in Odense, DK
Adjustable wall lamp in patinated oak made in the 1950s by designers A. Bank Jensen & Kjeld Iversen for Louis Poulsen, Copenhagen. The lamp can be adjust...
Acrylic, Oak
Le Klint & Palshus Stoneware Table Lamp Denmark by Esben Klint, 1970s
By Esben Klint, Le Klint, Palshus
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful table lamp model no. 311 designed by Esben Klint in 1949 for Le Klint, Denmark. This stoneware edition was handmade at Palshus Stentøj, Copenhagen in the 1950s in commission for Le Klint. This one is decorated in the rare "Haresfur" glazing perfected by Palshus. The lamp is mounted with the original hand folded acrylic...
Acrylic, Stoneware
Sold
H 17.72 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Adjustable Brass and Bakelite Wall and Table Lights 306 by Kaare Klint, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
The original Kaare Klint Wall and table lamp 306 "Kiplamp". Set of two. These unusual vintage wall & table lamps were designed by Kaare Klint for Le Klint in Denmark. First produced...
Brass
Adjustable Oak Wall Lamp from Le Klint
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Kaare Klint, Luxus Vittsjö, Kaiser Idell, Le Klint
Located in München, DE
Wonderful large Danish wall lamp from the 1960s. Exceptional design with a fantastically cozy look. Very nice swiveling and extendable oak arm. The lampshade creates a very cozy atmo...
Fabric, Oak
Kaare KLINT, Teak Scissor Wall Light, Denmark 1960s
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This beautiful wall light was designed by Kaare Klint and manufactured in Denmark in the 1950s. It features a teak scissor adjustable lamp arm and a pleat...
Plastic, Teak
Sold
H 19.3 in W 5.91 in D 7.88 in
Adjustable Black Brass and Bakelite Wall or Table Lamp 306 by Kaare Klint, 1950s
By Le Klint, Kaare Klint
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
The original Kaare Klint wall and table lamp 306 "Kiplamp". This unusual vintage wall & desk light was designed by Kaare Klint for Le Klint in Denmark. First produced in the 1940s...
Brass
Sold
H 17.72 in W 7.09 in D 5.91 in
Adjustable Brass and Bakelite Wall and Table Lamp 306 by Kaare Klint, 1950s
By Le Klint, Kaare Klint
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
The original Kaare Klint Wall and table lamp 306 "Kiplamp". This unusual vintage wall & desk light was designed by Kaare Klint for Le Klint in Denmark. First produced in the 1940s...
Brass
Sold
H 16.15 in Dm 8.67 in
Le Klint Brass Wall or Table Lamps by Kaare Klint "Model 306", Danish Modern
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in Odense, DK
Set of iconic "Model 306" by Kaare Klint for Le Klint. Designed in 1945 the "Kip lamp" as it was known, can be used as either a table or wall lamp due to its ingenious tilting mechan...
Brass
Sold
H 14.97 in W 5.12 in D 11.03 in
Kaare Klint, Adjustable Wall light / Table Lamp, Brass, Rubber, Denmark, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in High Point, NC
A vintage wall light / table lamp by Kaare Klint for Le Klint. Designed in the 1940s. This example produced, circa 1950s-1960s. Illustrated used as a wall light, however is also a...
Brass
Sold
H 17.33 in Dm 12.21 in L 17.33 in
Danish Modern Table Lamp in Brass and Bakelite by Kaare Klint for Le Klint
By Kaare Klint
Located in Odense, DK
Kaare Klint designed this beautiful modern brass lamp as early as in 1945. This example is from the very early production in the 1950s. The lamp can be tilted in different positions...
Brass
Midcentury Counterweight Table or Wall Lamp by Kaare Klint, 1960s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
The Godfather of Danish design, Professor Kaare Klint, made this unusual lamp in 1945 and added a functionality to its design that was unheard of at that time. This example is from t...
Brass
306 Lamp by Kaare Klint
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural, versatile and elegant lamp in warm lacquered brass with a pleated paper shade, having a rotating mechanism that enables different angles to be locked in place, allowing...
Brass
Wall or Table Light by Kaare Klint
By Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
Great brass and bakelite light by Kaare Klint. Newly rewired and tested.
Brass