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Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Danish, b. 1929

With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his coffee tables, chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.

Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.

Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat.

Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s.

Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)

While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces.

Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.

Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Kai Kristiansen
Midcentury Side Chair in Rosewood and Patinated Leather by Gustav Bertelsen
By Gustav Bertelsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Side chair in rosewood and patinated leather, designed by Kai Kristiansen and made by Gustav Bertelsen cabinetmakers. Great original condition.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Set of eight 'Compass', Kai Kristiansen, Denmark 1960
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Torino, IT
Set of eight 'Compass', Kai Kristiansen, Denmark 1960
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Lounge Chair in Rio Rosewood Model Paperknive
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian lounge chair in Rio rosewood model paper Knive by Kai Kristiansen. New foam and cover. Other cover on demand. + €250. Referenced by the Design Museum ...
Category

1960s French Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Teak

Kai Kristiansen Twelve Fully Restored Dining Chairs in Teak - Custom Upholstery
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of twelve fully restored, 1960s teak dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik. The chairs have Kai Kristiansens typical light and elegant design that make them fit in easily where you want them in your home - a design that was so uniqe that his colleague the famous designer Hans J. Wegner characterized model 42 as beautiful from all angles when the chair with it´s unique backrest swivel function was revealed in 1956. The chairs are in very good condition as they have been fully restored, sanded by hand and refinished by our experienced workshop to insure that they are in very good condition with only minimal signs of age and use and will be reupholstered without additional cost in fabric of your choice from "Kvadrat" / standard leathers from "Sorensen Leather" or for additional price luxury leathers (Elegance, Vegetal, Rustic, Pure and Royal Nubuck). Kai Kristiansen was one of the last pupils of the famous architect Kaare Klint who founded modern Danish design and laid the foundation for the "Danish Modern" style. During the years 1958-78 Kristiansen worked in his business in Aarhus owned jointly by himself and furniture maker Illum Wikkelsø (1919-99). Kristiansens works met their most intense demand during a few decades from 1950, then production of them was discontinued. However, several of them are now being produced again by the Japanese furniture producer Miyazaki Chair Mill in Tokushima. An Australien producer has also included Kristiansen production in their portfolio. Kai Kristiansen might have been the originator of mass produced furniture, had he accepted an offer from Ikea-founder Ingvar Kamprad. He declined to let himself enroll in the Ikea staff. Kristiansen exhibitions include numerous participations in furniture and design shows in Milano, Paris, Cologne and London. Among his most cherished works is the Paper Knife collection...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Teak, Leather

Eight Restored Ebonized Kai Kristiansen Dining Chairs Custom Upholstery Included
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 8 fully restored and ebonized model 42 oak dining chairs with swivel backrests by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik., The chairs have Kai Kristiansen’s typical light an...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Oak

Midcentury Wall Mirror in Rosewood by Aksel Kjersgaard, Danish Modern, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Wall mirror with frame in rosewood. Designed by Kai Kristiansen, made by Aksel Kjersgaard Denmark. Great original condition, circa 1960.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Kai Kristiansen Flower Tables Produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare flower tables designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark. Price is listed / item.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Metal

Furniture Plugs Fit for Kai Kristiansen Model 42 and Other Rosewood Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 25 button plugs fit for Kai Kristiansen model 42 rosewood dining chairs and other chairs. The button plugs are made og beech tanned in 3 rosewood variations - a bright colore...
Category

2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Beech

Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen Mid Century No 121 Paper Knife Teak Sofa
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen mid century No 121 Paper Knife Teak Sofa The sofa measures: 63 wide x 21 deep x 27 high, with a seat height of 16 inches All pieces of furnitu...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

Three Paper Knife Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1960s
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Hellouw, NL
Set of three paper knife chairs, model 121, by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen from Denmark 1960s. These chairs in teak have a trul...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Teak, Fabric

Kai Kristiansen Eight Fully Restored Teak Dining Chairs inc. Custom Reupholstry
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of eight fully restored, 1960s teak dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik. The chairs have Kai Kristiansens typical light and elegant design that make them fit in easily where you want them in your home - a design that was so uniqe that his colleague the famous designer Hans J. Wegner characterized model 42 as beautiful from all angles when the chair with it´s unique backrest swivel function was revealed in 1956. The chairs are in very good condition as they have been fully restored, all joints chacked and split apart if any signs of them getting loose, those that are split apart reglued under pressure, all other needed repairs made, sanded by hand 2 - 3 times and vaxed 2 - 3 times by our experienced workshop to insure that they are in very good condition with only minimal signs of age and use and will be reupholstered without additional cost in fabric a large selection of fabrics from "Kvadrat" / "Romo" or a large selection of leathers from "Sorensen Leather" / Ca-mo Leather". Kai Kristiansen was one of the last pupils of the famous architect Kaare Klint who founded modern Danish design and laid the foundation for the "Danish Modern" style. During the years 1958-78 Kristiansen worked in his business in Aarhus owned jointly by himself and furniture maker Illum Wikkelsø (1919-99). Kristiansens works met their most intense demand during a few decades from 1950, then production of them was discontinued. However, several of them are now being produced again by the Japanese furniture producer Miyazaki Chair Mill in Tokushima. An Australien producer has also included Kristiansen production in their portfolio. Kai Kristiansen might have been the originator of mass produced furniture, had he accepted an offer from Ikea-founder Ingvar Kamprad. He declined to let himself enroll in the Ikea staff. Kristiansen exhibitions include numerous participations in furniture and design shows in Milano, Paris, Cologne and London. Among his most cherished works is the Paper Knife collection...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Teak

Easy Chair in Teak and Newly Upholstered Grey Wool Seats by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
This elegant easy chair, crafted from teak and expertly reupholstered in soft grey wool, is a stunning example of mid-century Scandinavian design. Designed by the acclaimed Danish d...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Wool, Teak

2 Compass Teak Dining Chairs, 1960s, by Kai Kristiansen for Sva Møbler, Set of 2
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Hannover, DE
Set of 2 Unique Oak Chairs by Danish Designer Kai Kristiansen, 1960s Model: Compass Manufacturer: Sva Møbler, Denmark The displayed price is for a set of two chairs. Crafted from s...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Teak

Eight Restored Ebonized Kai Kristiansen Dining Chairs Custom Upholstery Included
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 8 restored and ebonized oak dining chairs, inc. reupholstery with swivel backrest by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik. The chai...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Oak

Set of Six Dining Side Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark
By Arne Vodder, Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful set of six dining chairs mod. 301 designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Magnus Olesen in the 1960ies in Denmark. All chairs are in great original and used condition ...
Category

20th Century Danish Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid Century Danish dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen Model 170
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid Century Danish dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen Model 170 1960s a set of 2 The chair frames are made from solid teak. Seated teak structure covered with beig...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Teak

Set of 3 Kai Kristiansen Midcentury chairs Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik Teak
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Berlin, DE
We are offering for sale three beautiful chairs probably manufactured by Schou Andersen Mobelfabrik from the 1960s. The design is by Kai Kri...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Teak

Kai Kristiansen Nesting Table Model 33 by Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare nesting table model 33 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Oak

Paper Knife' Grey Suede + Teak Chair by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chicago, IL
A Scandinavian Modern ‘Paper Knife’ chair designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in the 1960s. The rich, chocolate brown teak frame features elegant rounded arms, an angled ba...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Suede, Teak

Mid Century Teak Paper Knife Armchair by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Set of two Midcentury Teak "Paper Knife" Armchairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen. These iconic pieces are a testament to the sleek, organic design that typifies mid-c...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Midcentury Danish Mahogany Nesting Tables by Kai Kristiansen, Set of 3, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Set off mahogany side tables by Kai Kristiansen. Each table consists of a stained beech or oak base and a mahogany veneered top. The tops have been renewed with an acrylic protective...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Kai Kristiansen Highback Easy Chair Model 179 by Christian Jensen Møbelfabrik
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare highback easy chair model 179 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Christian Jensen Møbelsnedkeri in Denmark.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Cane, Oak

Danish dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen Model 170, 1960s
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Mid Century Danish dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen Model 170 , 1960s, The chair frames are made from solid teak, Seated teak structure covered with Green fabric...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Teak

Danish original vintage nest of tables or lamp tables in rosewood.
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in København K, DK
Rare set of lamp tables in rosewood. Designed in the early 1960s by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Aksel Kjersgaard, Odder, Denmark. The tables are in fantastic good and origina...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Oak Coffee Table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Mid-century oak coffee table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard 1960s This is a square coffee table designed by Kai Kristiansen made by Aksel Kjersgaard. Beautiful table...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Oak

Kai Kristiansen Bureaus Model Nr 50 by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of bureaus model nr 50 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Rectangular Oak and Teak Mirror by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Illums Bolighus, Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Scandinavian Modern rectangular wall mirror by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark circa 1960's This iconic teak and oak mirror is a Model 161 by famous Danish carpenter Aksel Kjersgaard, from...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Teak, Oak

Kai Kristiansen furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Kai Kristiansen furniture 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 Kai Kristiansen furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 404 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Kai Kristiansen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Arne Vodder, Niels Otto Møller, and Johannes Andersen. Prices for Kai Kristiansen furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $72 and can go as high as $27,370, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,761.

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