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.
Kaare Klint Cuban Mahogany Cabinet Made Early 1930s
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
Cabinet of Cuban mahogany. Front with two doors and two pull-out leaves with handles of black ebony, interior with trays. Two smaller and one large drawer with brass handles, brass f...
Mahogany
Kaare Klint Cuban Mahogany Sideboard Made Early 1930s with Wheel Runners
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
Cuban mahogany sideboard. Front with two sliding doors and two pull-out leaves with handles of black ebony. Interior with trays, sides with la...
Mahogany
$2,965
H 37.75 in W 65.75 in D 25.25 in
Antique French Regency Louis XVI Style Carved Mahogany Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique French Regency Louis XVI style bow front sideboard, buffet, or bar cabinet In the manner of John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1920s Carved mahogany, with original...
Brass
Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Sideboard / Server
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 19th century mahogany wood Williamsburg Classical Inlay Hepplewhite style server / sideboard with front pull drawer design details. The server is very sturdy and in great condition with wear consistent with age / use. The server stands...
Brass
Regency Mahogany Side Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine Regency style mahogany and burl mahogany banded side cabinet, with three frieze drawers above corresponding oval panel and lozenge inlaid doors enclosing adjustable shelves, w...
Wood
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
English Regency sideboard from the early 19th century. Solid mahogany and veneered. Two-tier body standing on 6 turned legs, the front of ...
Mahogany
$4,839
H 68.12 in W 109.06 in D 19.3 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Sideboard with Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani, Fratelli Turri
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian mahogany sideboard with onyx top and mirror by Osvaldo Borsani for "Mobilificio Fratelli Turri", 1950s The mirro...
Brass
$15,124
H 59.06 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
1930s Art Deco Burl Walnut Borsani Sideboard Buffet Server Credenza Wax Polished
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury Gaetano or Osvaldo Borsani Art Deco burl walnut sideboard buffet with server chest, restored and wax polished Measures cm: H 150, W...
Burl
Antiqued Painted Buffet Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A large antiqued painted buffet cabinet. 112" long with six paneled square framed doors. 15" Deep ideal for storage. Dimensions: 112" W x 15...
Wood
1960s Kittinger Country Style Mahogany Sideboard with Brass Accents
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hand crafted sideboard / buffet by Kittinger furniture company. This piece has three ample drawers with large brass pulls. The scalloped edge gives i...
Brass
Rustic French Gothic Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Rustic French Gothic cabinet. This cabinet has four doors featuring a gothic arch design. A beautiful statement piece, perfect to use as a cabinet or sideboard. This piece is crafted in pine and features an antique whitewashed...
Wood
Mahogany Sideboard, 1930s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Sideboard in mahogany ebonized profiles, with niche in mosaic mirror for sculpture, black crystal top, brass handles. Shelves are missing. The wooden crate is recommended for transpo...
Brass
$5,118Sale Price / item|31% Off
H 59.06 in W 41.74 in D 20.48 in
Contemporary by Lucarelli e Rapisarda Cabinet Wood Veneer Cabinet Wood Steel
By Interna8
Located in Pordenone, IT
Design and purpose are fused with eccentric decoration that has real personality. The theme is decoration– elegant, refined, glamorous decoration – used in the best hotels, where the upholstery is admired for the vast array of new patterns and designs. We have brought this decoration style to our furniture, in the form of our “Wallcovering” finishes which come in different shades. We have taken a new slant on a now antiquated technique, in light of new trends. Sideboard in 108 American walnut wood...
Steel
$2,695
H 42.75 in W 71.88 in D 21 in
Early Baker Furniture Mahogany Hepplewhite Sideboard Buffet, Newly Refinished
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous traditional Hepplewhite style mahogany sideboard buffet By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1920s Measures: 71.88" W...
Mahogany