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.
Dining Table in Mahogany and Pine by Kaare Klint, 1930s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare dining table, designed by Kaare Klint and produced by the esteemed cabinetmaker Rud. Rasmussen in Denmark during the 1930s, exemplifies the principles of early Scandinavian...
Mahogany, Pine
Danish Mid-Century Modern Conference Table by Kaare Klint, 1954
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Danish dining room table made of hand crafted polished Cuban Mahogany designed by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, in good condition. The large rectangula...
Mahogany
Extending Dining Table by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A model 4229 dining table in solid mahogany with two extension leaves.
Mahogany
Mid Century Modern Dining Room Table in Walnut by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A clean line dining table by Arthur Umanoff circa 1960's. It features beautiful walnut wood construction. It comes with one 18 inch leaves not...
Walnut
Danish Large Dining or Conference Table in Oregon Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Conference or large dining table, Oregon pine, Denmark, 1960s Impressive in its size, this Danish table can be used in multiple settings. As a very large dining table to fit many r...
Pine
Kaare Klint Coffee Table in Ash Wood for Rud, Rasmussen, Model 6687
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Kastrup, DK
Kaare Klint (Danish 1888 - 1954). Round coffee table, model KK6687 "Rygebord," crafted from ash wood with a beautiful grain pattern. The table features an elegant raised edge around ...
Ash
$9,500
H 28 in W 36 in D 9 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Gate Leg Maria Dining Table Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Folding rosewood Maria banket gate leg dining table by Bruno Mathsson. Fully extended measures 110" long.
Rosewood
$9,721
H 29.93 in W 78.75 in D 31.11 in
Functionalist Pine dining table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking dining table by Carl Malmsten, in a rustic design. Made from stained pine with clean lines and a folkloristic decorative detail under the table top.
Pine
Mogens Koch Mahogany Folding Table for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant folding tray sofa table in a practical and timeless design, crafted from mahogany. The table can be easily folded and stowed away, making it ideal for flexible use in any...
Brass
$2,310
H 29.5 in W 59.5 in D 33.75 in
1930s Newly Refinished Double Pedestal Mahogany Extension Dining Table
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Newly Refinished George III style Double Pedestal Mahogany Extension Dining Table. Excellent condition. Totally refinished to the pedestals and legs with hand-rub finish appear...
Mahogany
$9,600
H 32 in W 83 in D 38 in
Large Italian Modern Walnut Dining Conference Tapered Legs Table Boat Shape
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
High quality Italian mid century modern boat shape dining room table in style of Gio Ponti.
Walnut
$2,200
H 27 in Dm 54 in
Mid Century Dining Conference Table with Round Solid Walnut Top on Chrome Base
By Ward Bennett, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional dining, or conference table, having a thick solid walnut top, which is supported by a bright chrome pedestal base with four chrome legs which radiate from the center pole...
Chrome
$4,328
H 28.35 in W 59.06 in D 35.44 in
Danish extendable teak dining table, 1960, by Johannes Andersen for Uldum 1960.
By Johannes Andersen, Uldum Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian dining table with an extension leaf on one side that stores easily underneath. A clever counterweight system allows the extension leaf to be used without additional legs...
Teak
$6,995
H 28.75 in W 96.25 in D 37.75 in
Modern Walnut & Chrome Boat Shape Dining Conference Table by Jens Risom for Howe
By Jens Risom
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous modern boat shaped dining table or conference table by Jens Risom for Howe Furniture. Comprised of walnut veneer and chrome cylinder legs. Gorgeous age and use appropriate condition with a couple of minor dings in work surface and a small nick on one corner. Please see photos, circa 1970s-1980s. MY, OH MY!!!! This table will almost take your breath away!! Just stunning!! This modern boat shaped table by the iconic Jens Risom for Howe Furniture will certainly make your dining experience much more prestigious and demand attention when in conference! The table is comprised of sultry walnut veneer and four chrome cylinder shaped legs that are inserted into the tabletop. The metal framework below the legs is easily removeable for shipping and appropriate tool is included. It’s a unique, simple, yet stunning design that only Jens Risom could create. It will couple nicely with any style dining chairs or conference room seating. Howe Furniture was founded in 1928 in Connecticut by Harald Howe. Inspired by the early Bauhaus movement, and the principle of form following function, Howe started making just about any furniture that was simple and flexible. Tables, wooden hat racks...
Chrome
$6,814Sale Price|50% Off
H 30.32 in W 78.75 in D 78.75 in
1960s Rud Rasmussen large circular “China table” with sixlegged frame
By Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
1960s Rud Rasmussen large circular “China table” of mahogany with sixlegged frame. Made by Rud Rasmussen cabinetmakers. H. 77 cm. Diam. 200 cm.
Hardwood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 33.08 in D 49.61 in
Kaare Klint Extension Table, Solid Mahogany, Rud Rasmussen, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint table with two extension leafes. In solid mahogany, extension leafes of pine. Made by Rud Rasmussen in the 1960s.
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.73 in W 55.12 in D 36.23 in
Kaare Klint Vintage Dining Table of Mahogany by Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1950s
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Vintage dining table model no. 4229 by the Danish architect and furniture designer Kaare Klint (1888-1954) Manufactured by Rud Rasmussen in the 1950s in Copenhagen. The classic ta...
Mahogany
Dining Table, Designed by Kaare Klint
By Kaare Klint
Located in Stockholm, SE
Denmark, 1930’s. Very rare model, Provence: Rigmor Andersen architect who worked with Kaare Klint. Cuban mahogany Measures: L: 140 cm / 4...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.14 in W 54.34 in D 35.83 in
Kaare Klint Dining Table Model 4229 by Rud. Rasmussen Snedkerier in Denmark
By Kaare Klint
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare dining table model 4229 designed by Kaare Klint. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen Snedkerier in Denmark. Dimensions (W x D x H): 138 ( 260 ) x 91.5 x 74.5 cm.
Mahogany
Kaare Klint Table in Mahogany, Rud Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint table in mahogany. With drop down leaves of 65 cm Profilated legs. Made by Rud Rasmussen.
Mahogany
Kaare Klint Table in Mahogany, Rud Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint table in mahogany. Profilated legs. Made by Rud Rasmussen.
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.93 in W 53.94 in D 35.83 in
Midcentury Dining Table in Patinated Oak Designed by Kaare Klint, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table in oak, designed by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen cabinet makers in 1928. Original condition. Made in Denmark. Measures: Total width 257 cm.
Oak
Very Important Table by Kaare Klint, 20th Century
By Kaare Klint
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
Very important table by Kaare Klint. Kaare Klint was one of the most important Danish architect in 20th century. The table is made in rosewood and sign...
Rosewood
Kaare Klint Extension Table, Solid Cuba Mahogany, Rud Rasmussen, 1930s
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint extension table with two extension leafes. In solid Cuba mahogany, extension leafes in mahogany veneer 60 cm each. Made by Rud Rasmussen...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.53 in W 54.34 in D 36.23 in
Kaare Klint Dining Table Model 4229 by Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier in Denmark
By Kaare Klint
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare dining table model 4229 designed by Kaare Klint. Produced by Rud. Rasmussen Snedkerier in Denmark.
Mahogany
Dining Room Table in Mahogny
By Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautiful Dining Room Table in Mahogny with 5 leaves.
Mahogany
Dinning Room Table in Mahogny
By Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautiful Dinning Room Table in mahogny with the option of extending with 5 leaves.
Mahogany