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.
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
$2,500 / set
H 16.25 in W 16 in D 16 in
1960s Set of Three Kai Kristiansen Nesting End / Side Tables Model 33
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of 3 Model 33 Nesting Tables, originally designed by Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. These particular examples were produced by Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik in Denmark. The tabl...
Teak
$1,756
H 20.48 in W 66.93 in D 24.41 in
H.W. Klein Rosewood Coffee Table, Scandinavian Modern, 1960s Denmark
By H.W. Klein
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Johannes Andersen coffee table in rosewood.
Rosewood
Extendable Round Dining Table by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Göteborg, SE
This elegant dining table is a timeless creation by Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by the renowned Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark during the 1960s. Ka...
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 Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
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
$2,200
H 13.39 in W 56.7 in D 27.56 in
Midcentury Organic Wooden Scandinavian Wabi Sabi Coffee Table, Made in 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Wonderful unique Scandinavian organic shaped coffee table in solid wood. This vintage piece is in good condition with some traces of wear. A beautiful wabi sabi style brutalist ob...
Oak
Danish Rosewood Coffee Table by Severin Hansen Jr., 1960
By Nils Thorsson, Severin Hansen Jr.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish low sofa table or coffee table in restored Rosewood, in good condition. Designed by Severin Hansen Jr. with a lateral tile insert and blue tile surround by Nils Thorsson, Royal Copenhagen. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1960, Denmark, Scandinavia. Nils Johan Thorvald Thorsson was a Swedish designer and ceramic artist born in 1898, in Esloev, Sweden and passed away in 1975. At the age of thirteen, Thorsson finished his apprenticeship at the Alumina Factory in Copenhagen, after that he went to study at the Royal Danish Academy. Later on, Thorsson was the artistic director of Alumina which he held for forty-one years where he lead a team of well-known, talented designers which included Bethe Breyen, Kari Christensen, as well as others. Severin Hansen was born in 1897 Denmark and passed away in 1964 Denmark...
Rosewood, Ceramic
Roger Capron Coffee Table From The 1960s
By Roger Capron
Located in Charmes, FR
Coffee table from the 50s and 60s by Roger Capron, glazed ceramic tile top and iron base in good condition
Ceramic
$1,800 / set
H 16 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of Vintage Rosewood Side Tables by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern side tables designed by Kai Kristiansen, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s. Each table showcases beautiful natural rosewood grain with rich tonal...
Rosewood
Klara Coffee Table made from Reclaimed Pine
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This coffee table is seen here in 50"x 56" x 17" however it can be made in any size. It has slightly splayed legs and a shelf connecting each of the four legs. Each table is bench-...
Reclaimed Wood
Vintage Danish Design Kai Kristiansen Coffee Table, 1960s
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Renens, CH
A square coffee table from the Universe Series designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen (Denmark). This very practical low table has been made from hardwood and represents exce...
Stone
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood 1960s Danish Dressing Table
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
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...
Rosewood
$908Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Mid-Century Oak Coffee Table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
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...
Oak
Kai Kristiansen coffee table in solid teak, 1960's Denmark
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen sofa table in teak with turnable top. Made by Magnus Olsen.
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Univers coffee table in slate and rosewood
By Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen sofa table in rosewood and slate top. Model Univers, made by Magnus Olsen.
Slate
Kai Kristiansen Aksel Kjersgaard Oak Bench
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
An Oak bench or table designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersagaard, Denmark circa 1960. A truly classic piece of Scandinavian design. The legs will be unbolted for safer over...
Oak
Sold
H 18.51 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Kai Kristiansen Danish Solid Rosewood Tables by Aksel Kjersgaard
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Utrecht, NL
High end rosewood tables by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen executed by Aksel Kjersgaard carpentery Denmark, early 1960s. These tables are of distinctive quality due to the use of s...
Rosewood, Pine