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
Dealer: Dagmar
Kai Kristiansen Upholstered Bench in Fumed Oak and Mohair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen, a key figure in the Danish Modern movement, designed the Entre Series in 1956 as a modular collection of bedside cabinets, benches, and chests. Combining Danish desi...
Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Oak
Kai Kristiansen Leather and Walnut Upholstered Bench
By Dagmar, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen, a key figure in the Danish Modern movement, designed the Entre Series in 1956 as a modular collection of bedside cabinets, benches, and chests. Combining Danish desi...
Category
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Kai Kristiansen Upholstered Bench in Fumed Oak and Fabric
By Kai Kristiansen, Dagmar
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen, a key figure in the Danish Modern movement, designed the Entre Series in 1956 as a modular collection of bedside cabinets, benches, and chests. Combining Danish desi...
Category
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak
Kai Kristiansen Vintage Rosewood & Mohair Upholstered Bench c1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
A classic upholstered bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s as part of his popular Entre range produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark.
The frame is m...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Set of 8 Model 42 Rosewood and Leather Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 42 Dining Chairs, 1956.
A set of 8 dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. The frames are made from...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Leather
Kai Kristiansen Walnut and Mohair Mohair Velvet Bench
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
A beuatiful bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar in Denmark.
This hand-made to order bench has a solid walnut frame ...
Category
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Oak, Walnut
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood 1960s Danish Dressing Table
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 40 Rosewood Dressing table with folding 3-piece mirror. This dressing table was made from highly figured exotic rosewood by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark in the 1...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Oak Nightstands - New Edition
By Kai Kristiansen, Dagmar
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Entre Nightstands
A pair of new edition nightstands by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen. First produced in the 1950s, these new editions have been made under licens...
Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Kai Kristiansen Danish Oak Nightstands, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Bedside Cabinets, c1960s.
A pair of patinated oak bedside cabinets, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark in the early 1960s. The design features Kristian...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak
Kai Kristiansen Danish Oak Nightstands, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Bedside Cabinets, c1960s.
A pair of patinated oak bedside cabinets, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark in the early 1960s. The design features Kristian...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak
Kai Kristiansen Set of 8 Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 42 Dining Chairs, 1956.
A set of 8 dining chairs produced by Schou Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. The frames are made from t...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Fabric
Set of 6 Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Model 31 Dining Chairs 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 31 Dining Chairs
A set of 6 dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen Mobelfabrik in the early 1960s and designed by master of Danish mid-century design: Ka...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool, Bouclé, Rosewood
Set of 8 Kai Kristiansen Model 55 Rosewood Dining Chairs c1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, V. Schou Andersen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 55 Dining Chairs, c1950s
A set of 8 rarely seen rosewood dining chairs designed and produced by Danish master: Kai Kristiansen. Denmark. The stunning, architectural design has echoes of Japanese aesthetics . They were produced by cabinetmaker Villy Schou...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Bench and Drawers Set, circa 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Stunning, exotic grained rosewood bench with matching, loose standing two-drawer unit which can be positioned anywhere along the bench surface. This piece was designed by Danish desi...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Lounge Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs, 1955.
Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. New cushions upholstered in Kvadrat Hallingd...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood & Leather Ottomans
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Rosewood & Leather Ottomans, c1950s.
A pair of ottomans designed by Kai Kristiansen as part of the 'Entre' series in the late 1950s and produced by cabinetmaker Ak...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Vintage 1950s Rosewood Lounge Chairs
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Paper Knife Lounge Chairs, 1955
A pair of lounge chairs produced by Magnus Olesen in Denmark in the 1950s. The Paper Knife is one of Danish designer Kai Kristianse...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool
Set of 6 Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 42 dining Chairs, 1956.
Set of 6 dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. Refinished rosewood frames...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Rosewood Nightstand, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 384 Rosewood Nightstand, c1950s
An exquisite rosewood bedside cabinet, produced by cabinetmaker Aksel Kjaersgaard in Odder, Denmark circa 1950s. This design ...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Bench and Drawers Set, circa 1960
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Stunning, exotic grained rosewood bench with matching, loose standing two-drawer unit which can be positioned anywhere along the bench surface. This piece was designed by Danish desi...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood & Fabric Ottomans c1950s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Rosewood & Fabric Ottomans, c1950s.
A pair of ottomans designed by Kai Kristiansen as part of the 'Entre' series in the late 1950s and produced by cabinetmaker Aks...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Fabric
Kai Kristiansen Danish Rosewood Chest, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Rosewood Chest, c1950s
An exquisite rosewood chest, produced by cabinetmaker Aksel Kjaersgaard in Odder, Denmark circa 1950s. This design was part of Kai Kristians...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Tallboy Chest of Drawers, Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 385 Chest of Drawers, circa 1960
A stunning rosewood tallboy chest, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark in the early...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak
Set of 6 Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs, Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Model 42 dining chairs, 1956.
Set of 6 dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. Refinished rosewood fra...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Rosewood Nightstand, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 384 Rosewood Nightstand, c1950s
An exquisite rosewood bedside cabinet, produced by cabinetmaker Aksel Kjaersgaard in Odder, Denmark circa 1950s. This design ...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak
Set of 8 Kai Kristiansen Rosewood & Boucle Model 31 Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 31 Dining Chairs
Dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen Mobelfabrik in the early 1960s. The gorgeous rosewood frames have been refinished in Danish oil w...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool, Bouclé, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Set of 8 Model 42 Rosewood and Velvet Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 42 Dining Chairs, 1956.
Set of 8x dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. The frames are made fro...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 385 Tallboy Chest, Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 385 Chest of Drawers, circa 1960
Rosewood tallboy chest, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark. Solid rosewood frame...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Oak
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Pair of paper knife model lounge chairs, 1955.
Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in rosewood. New cushions upholstered in soft grey wool fabric.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Leather Troja Armchair, c1960
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen 'Troja' round chair from circa 1960. The frame is made from Afromosia African teak wood. The seat has been reupholstered in premium aniline cognac brown leather.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Teak, Leather
Kai Kristiansen Model 394 Rosewood Chest, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Model 394 Low Chest, c1960.
A low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960....
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Ottoman
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Square Ottoman, 1950s
Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid rosewood. New foam cushion upholstered in pale wool fabric from Kvadrat, Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Wool, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Danish Rosewood Nightstands, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 384 Rosewood Nightstand, c1950s
An exquisite pair of rosewood bedside cabinets, produced by cabinetmaker Aksel Kjaersgaard in Odder, Denmark circa 1950s. Thi...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 394 Rosewood Chest, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Model 394 Low Chest, c1960.
A low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Rosewood Chest, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen.
Model 384 chest, c1960.
Low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. ...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Rosewood Chest, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Model 384 Chest, c1960
Low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Fe...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Rosewood Chest, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen
Model 384 chest, c1960
Low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Fe...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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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