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.
Pristine Wingback Chair in Patinated Leather by Kaare Klint, 1940s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking wingback chair in patinated black leather, designed by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen in 1946 model 5313. Made in Denmark. Original condition.
Leather, Rosewood
$2,473 / item
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint Safari Chair by Rud Rasmussen, Ash Frame & Leather
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...
Leather, Ash
1940s Wingback Chair by Danish Furniture Maker
Located in Balen, BE
Wonderful wingback chair made by a Danish furniture maker in the 1940s. The framework is made from oak and is upholstered in a beautifully woven striped textile, in very good origina...
Textile, Oak
Kaare Klint Red Chair, Rud. Rasmussen, 1930s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint 'Red Chair' in Cuban mahogany, Niger leather and brass nails. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen 1936-1940. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/...
Brass
$2,648Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, Hardwood Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, with Mahogany Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery with Leather Trim. Usable condition. Bespoke quote can be...
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
$3,325
H 31.7 in W 22.64 in D 24.61 in
Kaare Klint KK47000 "Safari" Chair in Patinated Leather, Denmark, 1930s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Utrecht, NL
Kaare Klint’s “KK47000” Safari chair is a refined version of the chairs brought on an African safari by an American cinematographer and his wife. Klint noticed the chairs in the couple’s photos, and they were most likely based on Roorkhee Chairs, the seminal pieces of British campaign furniture used by the military...
Leather, Wood
$4,928 / set
H 31.89 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint "Safari" Lounge Chairs in Black Leather & Ash, Rud Rasmussen, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Odense, DK
Beautiful pair of vintage "Safari" chairs in deeply patinated black leather and dark stained solid ash. Designed by Kaare Klint in the 1930s and manufactured by cabinetmaker Rud. Ras...
Leather, Ash
1940s Kaare Klint 3-Seat Sofa for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Praha, CZ
This rare three-seater sofa is a masterpiece of Danish Modern design by the legendary architect Kaare Klint. Produced by the prestigious furniture maker Rud. Rasmussen, this sofa is ...
Fabric, Wood, Textile, Upholstery
$1,526Sale Price|33% Off
H 31.5 in W 22.45 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint, Cognac Leather Safari Chair for Rud Rasmussen, 1960s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Uppsala, SE
The legendary safari chair in cognac coloured leather on a very dark oak frame designed by the grandfather of Danish design, Kaare Klint, in 1933 for his long time collaborator Rud R...
Leather, Oak
Danish Modern 1940s Wingback Lounge Chair With Wooden Wings
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great example of early Danish midcentury design, circa 1930-40s wingback chair in hand carved solid oak with exposed sides and brass tacks. Sturdy and strong construction of generous...
Wool, Oak
Wingback Easy Chair in Elm and Fabric, 1940s
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This wingback easy chair, produced in Denmark during the 1940s, represents a rare example of mid-century Scandinavian furniture design, though the designer remains unidentified. The ...
Fabric, Elm
$11,012
H 28.75 in W 27.56 in D 21.26 in
The 'Faaborg Chair' in Mahogany, Cane and Leather by Kaare Klint, 1914
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The 'Faaborg Chair' in Mahogany, Cane and Leather by Kaare Klint, 1914 Additional Information: Material: Mahogany, Cane and Leather Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian The 'Faaborg Cha...
Leather, Cane, Mahogany
$3,651
H 34.65 in W 22.84 in D 22.45 in
Red Chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Elm and original patinated leather
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large armchair in elm and original patinated leather. Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen cabinet makes in the 1929. Made in Denmark.
Leather, Elm
Kaare Klint Wing Back Chair
By Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint wing back chair with new upholstery in Quartz Universe by Hermes, Paris and legs in mahogany. Maker Rud Rasmussen.
Kaare Klint Wingback Chair
By Kaare Klint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kaare Klint green fabric upholstered and leather trim wingback chair
Wood