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.
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...
Beech
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Early Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1955
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1960.
Oak
$380Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Teak
Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant Denmark, 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Kay Bojesen oak elephant signed, Denmark, 1960s. Complete with moveable parts. Very good original condition. Signed on the feet: Bojesen Made in Denmark. Bojesen is primarily known f...
Oak
Vintage Original Articulated Elephant Figurine by Kay Bojesen Denmark c 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage Kay Bojesen elephant figurine in oak circa 1950s Two available and priced individually Articulating legs head and trunk Signed to undersid...
Oak
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 ...
Wood
$360Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Oak
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.
Teak
$4,060Sale Price|30% Off
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 ...
Teak
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...
Teak
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...
Teak
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"
Teak
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. ...
Wood, Beech, Paint
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...
Rope
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...
Wood
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...
Oak
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...
Teak
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 ...
Wood
Wooden Firefighters Truck by Kay Bojesen, 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Kiel, SH
Fire fighters truck by Kay Bojesen painted beech 1960s.
Wood
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...
Oak
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...
Ash, Maple, Oak, Teak, Walnut
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...
Wood
Kay Bojeson Laurids Lonborg Hand Painted Stout Guardsman Figure
By Laurids Lonborg, Kay Bojesen
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.
Teak
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...
Wood
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...
Wood
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...
Wood
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...
Maple, Oak
Kay Bojesen Vintage Puffin
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Krefeld, DE
Vintage and early puffin designed by Kay Bojesen. It is marked with the old sticker: Kay Bojesen copyright Denmark.
Wood
Kay Bojensen Teak Monkey
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Original Kay Bojesen Teak Monkey, with new rubber joints installed so this guy is ready to go for the next 60 years! Signed on bottom of foot. Nice patina to the wood! Bought from...
Teak
Bojesen Monkey Repair Kit
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Boyesen's Monkey Repair Kit (Height 20 cm). For old and recent editions. EU shipping €3.00
Teak
Large Porcelain Dog Sculpture in form of a Bloodhound 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture, anonymous, Italy 1950s. Glazed clay. Representing a bloodhound. Measurements: H: 86 cm/ 2' 7/8" W: 50 cm/ 1' 7 3/4" D: 40 cm/ 1' 3 7/8"
Clay
Italian Ceramic Terrier Dog Vintage, 1950s
Located in Rochester, NY
Italian ceramic terrier. 1950s. Very Hollywood Regency.
Ceramic
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...
Teak
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...
Wood
$1,250
H 9.625 in W 8.875 in D 4.375 in
Maurice Dufrêne (1876–1955), French Art Deco "Balancing Elephant" Sculpture
By Maurice Dufrêne
Located in Atlanta, GA
Maurice Dufrêne (French, 1876–1955) was a seminal figure of the French Art Deco movement, widely celebrated for his multidisciplinary contributions to design—spanning furniture, deco...
Gold Leaf
$350 / set
H 58 in W 3 in D 10 in
Set of Three Vintage Zoo Land Wood Monkeys with Wicker Chain after Kay Bojensen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
Fun set of three mid century vintage wood monkey made in Japan as part of the ZooLand series, circa 1950/60's. In addition to the three monkeys, this lot includes the original wicker...
Wicker, Wood
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.
Teak
Kay Bojesen Monkey, Danish Design, 2000s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Kay Bojesen monkey, originally designed in 1951. Made of teak and limba wood. Danish design. The monkey is a classic gift for baptism, graduatio...
Wood
$4,060Sale Price|30% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in D 5.12 in
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 ...
Teak
Kay Bojesen Black Birds
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Oakland, CA
Pair of Kay Bojesen black birds originally designed in 1950. Carved of beech and finished in black gloss and matte. W 4.12'' x D 1.75'' x H 3.33''
Beech
Songbird Made In Painted Beech Wood By Kaj Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Lejre, DK
The songbird made of painted beech wood, designed by Kay Bojesen. This songbird is part of Bojesen's iconic series of wooden figurines, which are known for their simple but charming ...
Wood, Beech
Sold
H 7.09 in W 6.3 in D 5.12 in
"Lille Abe På Strøget" Made In Teak By Kay Bojesen For Mads Nørgaard
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Lejre, DK
"Lille Abe på Strøget" is a special edition of Kay Bojesen's iconic monkey, crafted in teak wood. This version was created in collaboration with Danish designer Mads Nørgaard, known ...
Teak
Sold
H 5.91 in W 9.06 in D 3.94 in
Kay Bojesen, Vintage Articulated Oak Elephant, designed 1953, Denmark
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
We are pleased to offer three vintage examples of the wooden elephant toy that was designed by Kay Bojesen in 1953. Constructed in oak, the leg, neck and trunk joints are articula...
Oak
Kay Bojesen, Original Vintage Small Rabbit, designed 1957, signed
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
This is a charming and rare vintage original example of the small rabbit, designed by Kay Bojesen in 1957, the year before he died. Constructed from oak, the joints are articulate...
Oak
Sold
H 9.85 in W 7.88 in D 2.76 in
Kay Bojesen, Original Vintage Small Monkey, teak and limba wood, 1950s, signed
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
This is a vintage early example of the small monkey, designed by Kay Bojesen in 1951. Constructed from teak and limba wood, the joints are articulated allowing the monkey to be plac...
Wood, Teak
Vintage Articulated Toy in Oak Elephant by Kay Bojesen, Denmark
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
A real vintage classic - the elephant by Kay Bojesen. Made in Denmark. Early example from the second half of the 20th century.
Oak
Mid-century Kay Bojesen Medium Monkey
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Oakland, CA
Original Kay Bojesen wooden monkey, designed in 1951, Denmark. This iconic danish toy is sculpted from solid teak and limba wood, it showcases segmented limbs and movable head, arms,...
Teak
Large Kay Bojesen Monkey
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Oakland, CA
Large Kay Bojesen monkey, designed in 1951, Denmark. Sculpted of solid teak and limba wood. It features segmented limbs, movable heads, arms and legs. S...
Wood
Vintage Scandinavian Oak Bear by Kaj Bojesen Denmark
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Vienna, AT
This Scandinavian Original vintage genuine Kay Bojesen wooden articulated Bear toy was designed and produced by Kay Bojesen, Denmark in the 1950s. This bea...
Oak
Scandinavian Vintage Oak Rabbit by Kay Bojesen Denmark
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Vienna, AT
This Scandinavian Original vintage genuine wooden articulated Rabbit toy was Designed and produced by Kay Bojesen, Denmark 1950s. All four limbs are jointed...
Oak, Maple
Early Original Bear by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950's
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Early Original Bear by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950's. This piece is stamped.
Wood