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.
Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, sewing nest
By Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen sewing nest. Made of partly solid rosewood. Made by Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik 1960s.
Rosewood, Cane
Kai Kristiansen Set of Three Walnut Stacking, Nesting Tables, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Organic Modern Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik trio of Walnut stacking tables. Featuring smooth, rounded rectangular dark, beautifully...
Walnut
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...
Mahogany
Nesting Cube Tables by Kai Kristiansen for Vildberg Mobelfabrik in Oak
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in New York, NY
Iconic set of interlocking tables, consisting of 3 tables which when nested form a cube. All three are in very good original condition, the tops show cosmetic wear to the finish, ple...
Oak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood "Cube" of Three Interlocking Nesting Tables
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik "cube" of nesting tables in rosewood. Composed of three tables two tables "slide" into the center table's side slots creating an ingeniously...
Rosewood
1960s 1970s Teak Nesting Tables Kai Kristiansen Skovmand & Andersen Design
By Kai Kristiansen, Skovmand and Andersen
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
1960s 1970s teak nesting tables Kai Kristiansen Skovmand & Andersen Design Object: side tables Manufacturer: Skovmand & Andersen Condition: good - vintage Age: around 196...
Teak
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Rosewood Kai Kristiansen Nesting Cube End Tables
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern stacking end tables designed by Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, circa 1960s. Features natural rosewood grains and det...
Rosewood
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.
Oak
Set of 3 Nesting Tables, Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a set of three nesting tables designed by the incomparable Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik. Designed and crafted in Denmark during the early 1960's, this set is...
Teak
1960s Set of 3 Kai Kristiansen Skovmand & Andersen Danish Nesting Tables, Teak
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Set of Three Nesting Tables, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Skovmand & Andersen in the 1960s. The set was produced in Denmark, and was imported by Edgaard Inc. in Los ...
Teak, Walnut
Rosewood Nesting Tables Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik Denmark, 1960
By Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Camden, ME
Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik design rare set of 3 rosewood nesting tables produced in Denmark, 1960. The beautifully grained Brazilian rose...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Interlocking Cube Trio Nesting Tables
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern Danish cube tables by Kai Kristiansen for Vildberg Mobelfabrik. Made of Rosewood featuring square form with ingenious inte...
Rosewood
Coffee Table Made In Rosewood By Kai Kristiansen From 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
This coffee table is an impressive piece of furniture art that exudes both elegance and functionality. Made of rosewood and designed by the renowned Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møb...
Rosewood
$5,400 / set
H 17.25 in W 33.375 in D 17 in
Rosewood Nesting Tables Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik Denmark, 1960
By Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Camden, ME
Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik design rare set of 3 rosewood nesting tables produced in Denmark, 1960. The beautifully grained Brazilian rose...
Rosewood
Scandinavian Nesting Tables in Rosewood 1960s Danish
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Danish nesting table from the 1960s in rosewood.
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Entre Bedside Table Low by Dagmar in Oak
By Kai Kristiansen, Dagmar
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen, Entre Bedside Table, 1950s A key figure in the Danish Modern movement, Kai Kristiansen designed the iconic Entre series in 1956 as a modular collection of bedside c...
Oak
$5,802 / set
H 18.9 in W 37.6 in D 18.71 in
Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kiersgaard Scandinavian Dark Wood Nesting Tables 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian mid-century modern design dark wood nesting tables, set of three ,designed by kai Kristiansen and produced by Aksel Kjesgaard (attributed) with frame in solid wood, prod...
Wood
Nesting Table Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This side table is an example of Danish design from the 1960s, made of teak wood, which radiates warmth and elegance. With its simple and functional design, this table fits perfectl...
Teak
$3,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.5 in W 46.25 in D 16.88 in
Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Vanity for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in New Windsor, NY
Kai Kristiansen designed rosewood vanity/dressing table by Ansel Kjersgaard featuring a finely figured rosewood veneers, removable tri-fold mirror, beveled edge legs, three drawers w...
Brass
1960s Nesting Ceramic Tile Tables, Denmark
Located in Praha, CZ
- 3 pieces - Good original condition with minor signs of use.
Ceramic, Wood
$1,973 / set
H 20.48 in W 28.15 in D 15.75 in
Danish Modern Teak Nesting Tables by Johannes Andersen for CFC, 1960s
By CFC Silkeborg, Johannes Andersen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish modern teak nesting tables by Johannes Andersen for CFC, 1960s. Set of three mid-century modern nesting tables designed by Danish architect Johannes Andersen for CFC Silkebor...
Teak
$1,342Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 17.33 in D 13.78 in
Nesting Tables of the 1960s-1970s in Wrought Iron and Slate
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Nesting tables of the 1960s-1970s in wrought iron and slate. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Iron
$3,588 / item
H 17.33 in W 35.04 in D 11.82 in
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.
Metal
$7,656 / set
H 18.12 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Italian Midcentury Gianfranco Frattini Black Nesting Tables for Cassina, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Salzburg, AT
Set of three black high gloss stacking tables by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1960s. The wood has been completely re-lacquered due to the worn surface and is now in perfect condition....
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 17.33 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Modern 343 Triangular Teak Nesting Tables Kai Kristiansen Vildbjerg
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare teak nesting tables from Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designed by Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. Here is the very rare triangular version. The tables consist of a finely crafted frame...
Teak
Sold
H 16.54 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Kai Kristiansen Cube No. 33 Interlocking Nesting Tables in Walnut, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Nesting side tables (Model 33) designed by Kai Kristiansen for Kai Kristiansen & Friends, Denmark. The set containes three square end tables that can be used separately or cleverly s...
Walnut
Sold
H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 23.63 in
3 Danish teak nesting tables by Kai Kristiansen for Skovmand & Andersen 1960
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Genève, GE
A beautiful set of three Danish teak nesting tables by Kai Kristiansen manufactured in the 1960s for Skovmand & Andersen. The quality design & product is the usual Danish standards. ...
Teak
Three 1960s Danish Rosewood Nesting Tables By Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Skovmand and Andersen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A set of three 1960s nesting tables by Kai Kristiansen for Skovmand & Andersen. These tables exemplify the best midcentury Danish design. The sculpted edges, veneered surfaces and a...
Hardwood
Kai Kristiansen rosewood nesting tables
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Dublin, IE
Kai Kristiansen rosewood ‘Cube’ Nest of Tables for Vildberg Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1960’s. The Cube rosewood nest of tables, designed by Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s, exemplifies his ...
Rosewood
Sold
H 16.15 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Scandinavian Modern Rosewood Nesting Tables by Kai Kristiansen Denmark
By Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Vienna, AT
This stunning Scandinavian Modern Cube Nesting table was designed by Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Denmark, circa 1960s. It features a set of three square tables with ...
Rosewood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 65.75 in D 25.6 in
Vintage Danish Teak Nesting Tables By Kai Kristiansen For Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A set of three Danish Mid-Century nesting teak wood occasional tables designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik. With three different sizes, each featur...
Teak
Sold
H 17.33 in W 24.41 in D 14.97 in
Mid Century Teak Nesting Tables by Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
By Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a set of 3 Mid Century Modern nesting tables done in teak. This nest of tables is designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik....
Teak
Sold
H 18.9 in W 37.41 in D 18.51 in
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...
Rosewood
Sold
H 16 in W 16 in D 16 in
Set of Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Cube Nesting Tables by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition Dimensions: 16"H x 16"W x 16"D
Teak
Sold
H 18.51 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in
Kai Kristiansen Teak Nesting Side Table Set Of 3 , 1960's Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in The Hague, NL
Vintage Danish design set of teak side tables designed by Kai Kristiansen. Stylish and practical by design, the tables easily slide in and out and make up little space if needed. A h...
Teak
Sold
H 16.54 in W 24.41 in D 13.78 in
Kai Kristiansen nesting tables teak Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik Denmark 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful sleek shaped model 253 set of three nesting tables designed by Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Denmark 1960. This sophisticated set of nesting tables is made of ...
Teak