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Kaare Klint Settees

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
Kaare Klint Model 4118 Box Sofa, Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1950s
Kaare Klint Model 4118 Box Sofa, Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1950s

Kaare Klint Model 4118 Box Sofa, Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1950s

By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

Rare Kaare Klint Model 4118 two-seat box sofa with profiled cross legged mahogany frame. Made by Rud Rasmussen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Upholstered...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint Settees

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Sofa by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, 1940s
Sofa by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, 1940s

Sofa by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, 1940s

By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A majestic sofa having a sculptured body resting on eight (8) tapered mahogany legs, retaining the original red, navy and beige striped wool fabric. Desi...

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1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

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1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Settees

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Previously Available Items
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Sofa in Original Leather
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Sofa in Original Leather

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Sofa in Original Leather

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H 36.03 in W 51.97 in D 29.53 in

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Sofa in Original Leather

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Located in Waalwijk, NL

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, sofa, original leather, teak, Denmark, 1930s Classic and elegant Scandinavian two-seat sofa by Kaare Klint for manufacturer Rud Rasmussen. The piece...

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1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Settees

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Kaare Klint Sofa Model 6092 with Savak Wool
Kaare Klint Sofa Model 6092 with Savak Wool

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 6092 with Savak Wool

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H 34.26 in W 80.71 in D 31.5 in

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 6092 with Savak Wool

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Located in London, GB

Three-seater sofa with eight tapering mahogany legs. Sides, seat and back upholstered with striped savak wool presumably in the last 10-20 years with natura...

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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Settees

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Model 6092 Sofa by Kaare Klint
Model 6092 Sofa by Kaare Klint

Model 6092 Sofa by Kaare Klint

Sold

H 34.65 in W 79.93 in D 30.71 in

Model 6092 Sofa by Kaare Klint

By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint

Located in London, GB

A vintage model 6092 three to four seat sofa designed by Kaare Klint (1888-1954) for Rud Rasmussen. The sofa stands on eight tapered solid mahogany legs and is upholstered in its original 'Greek Fabric...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint Settees

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Kaare Klint, Settee, Black-Dyed Nigerian Leather, Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1940s
Kaare Klint, Settee, Black-Dyed Nigerian Leather, Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1940s

Kaare Klint, Settee, Black-Dyed Nigerian Leather, Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1940s

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An early all-original settee / two-seat sofa. Designed by Kaare Klint, produced by cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, c. 1940s. Model 5011, designed in 1935. Legs in mahogany.

Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint Settees

Materials

Leather

Kaare Klint Two-Seat Model 4118 Settee Made by Rud Rasmussen, circa 1940
Kaare Klint Two-Seat Model 4118 Settee Made by Rud Rasmussen, circa 1940

Kaare Klint Two-Seat Model 4118 Settee Made by Rud Rasmussen, circa 1940

By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen

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A two-seat 4118 settee designed by Kaare Klint and made by cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen in Denmark, circa 1940. The exquisitely sharp yet flowing lines of the sofa make the high-le...

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Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Settees

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Kaare Klint Model 5313 Two-Seat Leather Settee by Rud Rasmussen, 1935
Kaare Klint Model 5313 Two-Seat Leather Settee by Rud Rasmussen, 1935

Kaare Klint Model 5313 Two-Seat Leather Settee by Rud Rasmussen, 1935

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Located in London, GB

A two-seat model 5313 settee designed by Kaare Klint in 1935 and made by master cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen in Denmark, between 1935-1945. The economy of line in this design is su...

Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Settees

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Kaare Klint Model 4118 Two-Seat Box Sofa by Rud Rasmussen
Kaare Klint Model 4118 Two-Seat Box Sofa by Rud Rasmussen

Kaare Klint Model 4118 Two-Seat Box Sofa by Rud Rasmussen

By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen

Located in London, GB

A two-seat 4118 settee designed by Kaare Klint and made by a master cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen in Denmark, circa 1940. The exquisitely sharp yet flowing lines of the sofa make the h...

Category

Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint Settees

Materials

Leather, Linen, Mahogany

settee by Kaare Klint
settee by Kaare Klint

settee by Kaare Klint

Sold

H 34 in W 53 in D 27 in

settee by Kaare Klint

By Kaare Klint

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A settee with Cuban mahogany legs and original upholstery with leather welting.

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1930s Danish Vintage Kaare Klint Settees

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Kaare Klint settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Kaare Klint settees 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 settees, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original settees by Kaare Klint were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider settees by Rud Rasmussen, Ole Wanscher, and Frits Henningsen. Prices for Kaare Klint settees can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $9,500 and can go as high as $21,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $15,140.