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.
Sidetable in mahogany by Kaare Klint
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Side table in lacquered mahogany with underlying shelf. Manufacturer's mark by Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier. Designed by Kaare Klint.
Mahogany
Side table in mahogany by Kaare Klint
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Side table in mahogany with underlying shelf. Manufacturer's mark from Rud Rasmussen. Designed by Kaare Klint.
Mahogany
Mahogany Swan Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Swan side table with round profiled table top. Solid wood with three long graceful swan legs on a molded triangular base. Side table, sofa table, end ...
Mahogany
$1,065 / item
H 17.72 in Dm 15.75 in
Gervasoni Small Bolla SideTable in Natural Melange Rattan Core by Michael Sodeau
By Michael Sodeau, Gervasoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Family of small pouf-tables made entirely of natural mélange woven wicker or lacquered in matt white, grey, black, ocean or dove-grey, characterised by an hourglass shape, and by a skilful play of workmanship, shapes and colours. This product stands out thanks to the beauty of the natural fibre weave combined with an original design, giving it character and uniqueness. Side table / ottoman in natural melange rattan core...
Rattan
Pair Bedside / Side Tables in Mahogany, 1930's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair Bedside / Side Tables in Mahogany, 1930's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced in Denmark Dimensions...
Mahogany
Brutalist sidetable in steel - by CONCREET.
By CONCREET
Located in Boechout, BE
Steel side table - a minimalist design created by Belgian designer/craftsman Oscar Santens. The three legs give the piece an intriguing appearance from every angle, bringing the desi...
Steel
Kaare Klint Coffee Table in Ash Wood for Rud, Rasmussen, Model 6687
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
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
Pair of Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1939
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1939 Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Rare pair of side table model 961 / San Francisco Prod...
Mahogany
1930-35 Art Deco sidetable, mahogany, glass - Belgium
Located in Girona, Girona
Art Deco square sidetable, stained mahogany, 4 small glass sliding boards. Belgium 1930 - 35 Boards open 26 cm max.
Glass, Mahogany
$2,512
H 31.5 in W 15.75 in D 14.18 in
Classic Bedside Table, Side Table in Biedermeier, Mahogany, left
Located in Berlin, DE
Classic Bedside Table, Side Table in Biedermeier, Mahogany, left Mahogany veneer on solid wood. High rectangular left-opening body on scalloped ...
Marble
Pair of Bedside Tables / Side Tables in Mahogany by Axel Larsson, 1940s
By Axel Larsson, Bodafors
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Bedside Tables / Side Tables in Mahogany by Axel Larsson, 1940s Additional Information: Material: Mahogany, glass and brass Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian Pair of Bedside ...
Brass
Unique Mosi Sculptural Sidetable by Marthine Spinnangr
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique MOSI sculptural sidetable by Marthine Spinnangr One of a Kind Dimensions: D 28 x W 24 x H 48 cm Materials: Ceramic Different glaze types available MOSI is inspired by a morf sketch process inspired by nature walks and human poses to capture an aliveness in the expression. The name MOSI is inspired by the moss that surrounded the trails on by the lakes, sea and mountain...
Ceramic
Midcentury Sputnik Sidetable, France, 1960s
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Sputnik sidetable, France, 1960s. Two-tone maple wood. Perfect vintage condition.
Maple
$200,000 / set
H 28.94 in W 119.1 in D 42.13 in
Pierre Chapo Large 'T20B' Dining Table with Set of Ten Kaare Klint Dining Chairs
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint, Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set consisting of Pierre Chapo T20B dining table with set of ten 3758A dining chairs by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier. Pierre Chapo, large dining table, m...
Leather, Fabric, Elm, Mahogany
Kaare Klint Folding Table
By Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
Elegant foldable size table designed by Kaare Klint and made by master cabinetmakers Rudolf Rasmussen. Detailed to an exceptional degree and understa...
Teak
Nesting Tables by Kaare Klint
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
Set of Mahogany nesting tables by Kaare Klint, made by mastercabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. Beautifully proportioned nest of tables by the Danish master of Modern Classicism executed b...
Mahogany