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Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Danish, 1886-1958

Silversmith and designer Kay Bojesen became world-famous for creating wooden toys that had a soul and an impish sense of humor. With more than 2000 pieces to his name, he was one of Denmark's most prolific artisans in the 20th century. He is best known for his playful and cheerful monkeys, royal lifeguards and other wooden toys, but his repertoire of products also includes jewelry, cutlery, teapots and silver goblets. Kay Bojesen graduated as a silversmith in 1910 after completing his apprenticeship with silversmith Georg Jensen. As one of the first Danish artisans to do so, he embraced functionalism. He was among the pioneers who organized Den Permanente association – a cooperative of artists that included a shop and exhibition space, which over the decades came to represent the best in Danish and Scandinavian design. The year 1919 became the start of a New Era for Kay Bojesen. His son Otto was born and this life event sparked Kay Bojesen's imagination. In the 1930s, he started to indulge his interest in wood. He created a range of wooden toys that all lived up to his ideal that design should be round, soft and have a good feel to it. His idea was not to create lifelike copies of real animals or to be too sophisticated or focus too much on detail, but instead to create imaginative toys in designs based on a child's world where “lines need to smile”. With this basic philosophy in mind, Kay Bojesen created his beloved wooden toys that appeal to the child within us all. Kay Bojesen retained his childish curiosity till the end and left an important design heritage behind.

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Creator: Kay Bojesen
Early Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1955
Early Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1955

Early Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1955

By Kay Bojesen

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1960.

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

Kay Bojesen Jointed Monkey Toy Danish Modern Teak
Kay Bojesen Jointed Monkey Toy Danish Modern Teak

Kay Bojesen Jointed Monkey Toy Danish Modern Teak

By Kay Bojesen

Located in San Diego, CA

Kay Bojesen articulating and jointed teak monkey. Bought from the original owner who had it in the early 1960s. Nice color and patina the cords are loosely sold AS/IS.

Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen Rolling Dog Stool in Beech, 1950s
Kay Bojesen Rolling Dog Stool in Beech, 1950s

Kay Bojesen Rolling Dog Stool in Beech, 1950s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Extremely rare Toddler Trolley, gogo baby balance cart/bike or alternatively plant stand or living room sculpture or even humorous entrance hall guard dog. It was designed and made i...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Beech

Danish Oak Elephant by Kay Bojensen
Danish Oak Elephant by Kay Bojensen

Danish Oak Elephant by Kay Bojensen

By Kay Bojesen

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Danish Oak Elephant by Kay Bojensen, articulating arms, legs and trunk. Excellent condition.

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Post-Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bowl by Kay Bojesen, 1950s.
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bowl by Kay Bojesen, 1950s.

Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bowl by Kay Bojesen, 1950s.

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Asaa, DK

Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Bowl by Kay Bojesen, 1950s. Exquisite large and early handmade bowl in solid teak designed and manufactured by Kay Bojesen in his own workshop in Cope...

Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl, Denmark, c.1960
Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl, Denmark, c.1960

Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl, Denmark, c.1960

$316Sale Price / item|20% Off

Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl, Denmark, c.1960

By Kay Bojesen

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl, Denmark, c.1960. Beautiful original condition. We have seven bowls available. The listed price is for one bowl.

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen, Toy or Decorative Sculpture, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
Kay Bojesen, Toy or Decorative Sculpture, Teak, Denmark, 1950s

Kay Bojesen, Toy or Decorative Sculpture, Teak, Denmark, 1950s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in High Point, NC

A teak toy or animal sculpture designed by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950s. Dimensions variable, measured as illustrated in first image.

Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Vintage Lion in Natural Rope by Kay Bojesen & Jorgen Bloch, Denmark, 1960s
Vintage Lion in Natural Rope by Kay Bojesen & Jorgen Bloch, Denmark, 1960s

Vintage Lion in Natural Rope by Kay Bojesen & Jorgen Bloch, Denmark, 1960s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A rare example of the Danish toy-design-master Kay Bojesen work. This lion in braided natural rope was designed I collaboration between Jorgen Bloch and K...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Rope

Giant-Sized King's Guardsman by Kay Bojesen
Giant-Sized King's Guardsman by Kay Bojesen

Giant-Sized King's Guardsman by Kay Bojesen

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A very rare and monumental giant-sized model of the Royal Danish King's Guardsman hand crafted in wood having movable arms and legs and retaining its ...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Vintage Signed Largest Teak Articulated Monkey by Kay Bojesen, Denmark ca. 1952
Vintage Signed Largest Teak Articulated Monkey by Kay Bojesen, Denmark ca. 1952

Vintage Signed Largest Teak Articulated Monkey by Kay Bojesen, Denmark ca. 1952

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Geneva, CH

Rare Iconic vintage largest articulated monkey designed by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1952. Teak and limba. Articulated joints, head, arms, legs. Can be hung by hands and feet on a shelf ...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Finn Juhl for Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl
Finn Juhl for Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl

Finn Juhl for Kay Bojesen Teak Bowl

By Finn Juhl, Kay Bojesen

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Classic Danish modern teak bowls designed by Finn Juhl for Kay Bojesen, Denmark. Turned from a single piece of teak wood into an organic modern shape. Polished and clean, with origin...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen, Vintage Early Large Monkey, teak and limba wood, stamped, 1950s
Kay Bojesen, Vintage Early Large Monkey, teak and limba wood, stamped, 1950s

Kay Bojesen, Vintage Early Large Monkey, teak and limba wood, stamped, 1950s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Wargrave, Berkshire

This is a vintage early example of the largest production monkey, designed by Kay Bojesen in 1951. Constructed from teak and limba wood, the joints are articulated allowing the monk...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Vintage Wood Articulated Elephant by Kay Bojesen. Made in Denmark.
Vintage Wood Articulated Elephant by Kay Bojesen. Made in Denmark.

Vintage Wood Articulated Elephant by Kay Bojesen. Made in Denmark.

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Pasadena, TX

A real original piece of articulated sculpture by Kay Bojesen. Made in Denmark. Length: 4.93" Width: 9.26" Height: 4.93"

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen Wooden Monkey Sculpture, Teak and Limba, Denmark, 1960s
Kay Bojesen Wooden Monkey Sculpture, Teak and Limba, Denmark, 1960s

Kay Bojesen Wooden Monkey Sculpture, Teak and Limba, Denmark, 1960s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Wooden monkey designed by Kay Bojesen in 1951. Its made from solid teak and limba wood. It features articulated limbs, removable head and movable arms and legs. This example was manu...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen Early Handmade Wooden Oak Elephant Children's Toy, 1950s, Denmark
Kay Bojesen Early Handmade Wooden Oak Elephant Children's Toy, 1950s, Denmark

Kay Bojesen Early Handmade Wooden Oak Elephant Children's Toy, 1950s, Denmark

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Odense, DK

Rare Kay Bojesen wooden toy elephant from the early 1950s in patinated oak with an amazing grain. The Elephant was created in 1953 by Kay Bojesen and from the start handmade in his s...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

Original Danish Kay Bojesen Toy Wagon "Family Trip", Colorful Beech Wood, 1950s
Original Danish Kay Bojesen Toy Wagon "Family Trip", Colorful Beech Wood, 1950s

Original Danish Kay Bojesen Toy Wagon "Family Trip", Colorful Beech Wood, 1950s

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg

Kay Bojesen´s "Family Trip" is one of his most loved wooden toy designs. This set is original vintage. It consists of wagon and 4 family members: mother, father and two children. ...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Beech, Paint

Vintage Danish 1950s Kay Bojesen Hippo Wooden Oak Desk Pencil Holder Figurine
Vintage Danish 1950s Kay Bojesen Hippo Wooden Oak Desk Pencil Holder Figurine

Vintage Danish 1950s Kay Bojesen Hippo Wooden Oak Desk Pencil Holder Figurine

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen designed the Hippopotamus in 1955 because he needed a device to store his pencil's. The hippo is made of oak and features an adjustable jaw allowing yo...

Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

Kay Bojeson Laurids Lonborg Hand Painted Stout Guardsman Figure
Kay Bojeson Laurids Lonborg Hand Painted Stout Guardsman Figure

Kay Bojeson Laurids Lonborg Hand Painted Stout Guardsman Figure

By Kay Bojesen, Laurids Lonborg

Located in Ferndale, MI

Kay Bojeson guardsman figure. Hand painted white red with black feet. Sold by Laurids Lonborg Denmark retains original label. Completely original condition with little to no wear.

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen Monkey Small Model In Teak & Limba - DBU Men's National Team
Kay Bojesen Monkey Small Model In Teak & Limba - DBU Men's National Team

Kay Bojesen Monkey Small Model In Teak & Limba - DBU Men's National Team

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

Kay Bojesen monkey, small model in teak and limba. DBU Herrelandsholdet limited edition. Classic Danish design icon. — Origin: Denmark — Designer: Kay Bojesen — Model: Monkey, small...

Category

2010s Danish Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Small  Articulated Teak Bear Stamped Kay Bojeson
Small  Articulated Teak Bear Stamped Kay Bojeson

Small Articulated Teak Bear Stamped Kay Bojeson

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Ferndale, MI

Kay Bojesen wooden bear from the early 1950s in teak . Stamped Kay Bojeson Denmark Copyright . Kay Bojesen from the start in 1932 hand made animal figure toys in his small Copenh...

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

70th Anniversary Reworked Little Monkey By Kay Bojesen
70th Anniversary Reworked Little Monkey By Kay Bojesen

70th Anniversary Reworked Little Monkey By Kay Bojesen

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

Little Monkey reworked by Kay Bojesen, released for the 70th anniversary, is a special edition of the iconic wooden figure. Kay Bojesen began his career as a silversmith under Georg ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

70th Anniversary Reworked Little Elephant By Kay Bojsen
70th Anniversary Reworked Little Elephant By Kay Bojsen

70th Anniversary Reworked Little Elephant By Kay Bojsen

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

Little Elephant reworked by Kay Bojesen, released for the 70th anniversary, is a special edition of the iconic wooden figure. Kay Bojesen began his career as a silversmith under Geor...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

1950s Kay Bojesen Danish Teak Dust Bin Crumb Sweeper Set
1950s Kay Bojesen Danish Teak Dust Bin Crumb Sweeper Set

1950s Kay Bojesen Danish Teak Dust Bin Crumb Sweeper Set

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Kay Bojesen. Sweeper kit consisting of a sweeping tray and a brush of wood. Wonderful early impressed marks; k.b. eneret, translating kb exclusive, and Kay Bojesen paper label.   

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Kay Bojesen Reworked Mini Elephant In Multiple Wood Types 70th Anniversary
Kay Bojesen Reworked Mini Elephant In Multiple Wood Types 70th Anniversary

Kay Bojesen Reworked Mini Elephant In Multiple Wood Types 70th Anniversary

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

Kay Bojesen Reworked Mini elephant anniversary model from 2023 in celebration of the 70th anniversary. The elephant is a special edition that is part of the reworked family. The elep...

Category

2010s Danish Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Ash, Maple, Oak, Teak, Walnut

Medium Panda Bear Made In Black/White Colours By Kay Bojesen
Medium Panda Bear Made In Black/White Colours By Kay Bojesen

Medium Panda Bear Made In Black/White Colours By Kay Bojesen

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

The Medium Panda Bear from Kay Bojesen is a black-and-white wooden figure that continues Bojesen's classic design style, known for transforming animals into simple yet charming woode...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

70th Anniversary Reworked Little Bear By Kay Bojesen
70th Anniversary Reworked Little Bear By Kay Bojesen

70th Anniversary Reworked Little Bear By Kay Bojesen

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

Little Bear reworked by Kay Bojesen, released for the 70th anniversary, is a special edition of the iconic wooden figure. Kay Bojesen began his career as a silversmith under Georg Je...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Medium Bear Made In Oak & Maple By Kay Bojesen
Medium Bear Made In Oak & Maple By Kay Bojesen

Medium Bear Made In Oak & Maple By Kay Bojesen

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Lejre, DK

The Medium Bear is a mid-sized wooden figure designed by Kay Bojesen, crafted from oak and maple. This figure exemplifies Bojesen’s signature design style, blending simplicity with c...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Maple, Oak

Vintage Kay Bojesen Articulating Wood Toy Elephant
Vintage Kay Bojesen Articulating Wood Toy Elephant

Vintage Kay Bojesen Articulating Wood Toy Elephant

By Kay Bojesen

Located in Chicago, IL

A early Vintage Kay Bojesen Articulating wood toy elephant. signed with early Denmark signature on foot. Appears to have a slender chipped area on th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Kay Bojesen decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Kay Bojesen decorative objects 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 Kay Bojesen decorative objects, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Kay Bojesen were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Herbert Krenchel, Michael Bang, and Bjørn Wiinblad. Prices for Kay Bojesen decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $274 and can go as high as $25,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $542.
Questions About Kay Bojesen Decorative Objects
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Kay Bojesen wooden toys and figures are made in Denmark, and have been since 1930. The founding designer Kay Bojesen was born in Copenhagen in 1886, and the company Kay Bojesen was sold in 1990 to the design house Rosendahl, which is also based in Denmark. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Kay Bojesen figurines.