Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
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
Set of Three Teak and Limba Wood Figure by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of three teak and limba wood monkey figure with movable arms and legs. Made and marked by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, Copyright.
Category
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
Kay Bojesen 1950s Oak Elephant
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Early elephant designed by Kay Bojesen in 1953. Its made from solid oak and features articulated limbs, legs, trunk and a removable head. This is an early example made between 1955-5...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Oak
Vintage Kings Guardsman Wood Toy by Kay Bojesen, 1970s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Wooden kings guardsman in lacquered beech. It was designed by Kay Bojesen in 1942. It features movable head, arms and legs and it still has it original riffle. This example was manuf...
Category
1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
Articulated Toy Elephant by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Articulated toy elephant by Kay Bojesen, circa 1990s. #1469
Kay Bojesen's elephant, born in 1953, is a world-famous Classic for children and adults...
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Oak
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
Category
2010s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
Vintage Painted Beech Zebra Figurine by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Wooden toy zebra figurine. Material: Beech. Color: White and black.
Design: Kay Bojesen. Origin: Denmark. Period: Manufactured in the 1950s (Designed i...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
Kay Bojesen Beech Toy Wagon 'a Family Trip', 1950s, Denmark
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This Wagon designed by Kay Bojesen in the 1950s features four characters in a wagon: mother, father and their two sons. This items has been loved and played with for many years and t...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
Kay Bojesen Original Painted Beech Zebra Figure with Patina, 1950s Danish Modern
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Type: Wooden toy zebra, Figurine. Material: Beech. Color: White and black.
Design: Kay Bojesen. Origin: Denmark. Period: Manufactured in the 1950s (Designed in 1935). Measurements: ...
Category
1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
Vintage Dump Truck by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large dump truck with two men and a cargo consisting of seven blocks of lacquered beech. Designed and manufactured by Kay Bojesen in Denmark in the 1950s. T...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
Kay Bojesen Pair of Carved and Articulated Oak Elephants, From Denmark
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Chicago, IL
Elephant figures are brown toned and wooden. One figure has slightly darker tone. Each piece has articulated areas. Each piece measures approx 6.5 inches long 5 inches tall 4 inches wide. Wooden elephants, elephant figures, Kay BOJESEN elephants...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood, Oak
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 Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
Kay Bojesen, Early Horse Figurine in Beech, Denmark, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Measurement and info:
Type: Wooden horse toy/figure.
Material: Beech.
Color: Beech with natural patina and aging.
Design/maker: Kay Bojesen.
Origin: Denmark.
Period...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
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.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
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...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Oak
Pair of Articulated Toys / Rabbit & Bear in Pale Oak by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Great pair of articulated toys; both a rabbit and a bear by Kay Bojesen, circa 1990s. #2036
Kay Bojesen's toys are world-famous Classic for childre...
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Oak
Original Danish Kay Bojesen Toy Wagon "Family Trip", Colorful Beech Wood, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Aarhus C, DK
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 Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood, Beech, Paint
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 Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
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 Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Kay Bojesen and Jorgen Bloch Lion in Natural Rope, 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 Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Rope
Kay Bojesen, Vintage Painted Zebra Figure, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A wooden toy zebra made from Danish beech and hand painted white and black.
It was designed by Kay Bojesen in 1936. This particular example was manufactured in the 1950s. It has bee...
Category
1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
Giant-Sized King's Guardsman by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Weesp, NL
A very rare and monumental giant-sized model of the Royal Danish King's Guardsman hand crafted in wood having retaining its vivid original paint.
Thi...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Kay Bojesen Painted Wooden Puzzle, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Bought from the collection of Danish Design Museum in Randers Denmark (now closed) this large puzzle designed by Kay Bojesen reigns among his rarest designs. ...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
1960s Scandinavian Modern Farmhouse Toys by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A brightly colored and whimsical miniature farm set by the Danish master of whimsey Kay Bojesen. The fifteen individual wooden pieces consist of a farmhouse of laminated beech with removable gray roof, two beds a bench, two tables, barn of laminated beech with red removable gate, the wooden figures of mom, dad, and youngster, livestock being wooden cows...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
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 Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
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By Kay Bojesen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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Previously Available Items
Set of Three Teak and Limba Wood Figure by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of three teak and limba wood monkey figure with movable arms and legs. Made and marked by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, Copyright.
Category
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
Kay Bojesen Vintage Articulated Wooden Monkey, 1970s
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, movable heads, arms and legs. This...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
Original Vintage Danish Midcentury Kay Bojesen Wooden Rocking Horse, 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Original vintage Kay Bojesen rocking horse. Made from solid beech with a lacquered finish. Stamped to underside Kay Bojesen, Denmark.
Origin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
H 18.51 in W 29.14 in D 9.45 in
Wooden Toy Soldiers by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of Royal guardsmen designed by Kay Bojesen. Each soldier Includes a 1950s Magasin du Nord labels. Lovingly used with lots of patina. Denmark, 19...
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1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Original Vintage Danish Midcentury Kay Bojesen Wooden Rocking Horse, 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Original vintage Kay Bojesen rocking horse. Made from solid beech with a lacquered finish. Stamped to underside Kay Bojesen, Denmark.
Origin...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
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Beech
H 18.51 in W 29.14 in D 9.45 in
Huge Wooden Toy Soldier by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Huge Royal Guardsman Standard-Bearer designed by Kay Bojesen. Includes the original Danish flag. Incredibly rare at this scale, Denmark, 1950s.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Wooden Toy Soldier by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Royal guardsman designed by Kay Bojesen. Denmark, 1950s.
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1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
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Wood
Vintage Wooden Toy Locomotive by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Vintage train or locomotive set made from partially lacquered and painted beechwood. This item surely has been loved and played with for decades and it show in the most charming way....
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Beech
Largest Articulated Monkey by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Large monkey by Kay Bojesen. Originally designed, 1951.
Kay Bojesen’s monkey comprises 31 parts and is made of limba wood and sustainable teak. Each on...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
Kay Bojesen Laurids Lønborg, Teakwood Viking Toy Doll Lint Brush - Denmark 1960s
By Kay Bojesen, Laurids Lonborg
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: Clever modern midcentury vintage Danish teak wood toy doll Viking figurine. Dual purpose. Yes, the head can be removed and used as a cloth lint brush...
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1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
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Teak
Articulated Toy Dachshund / Dog by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Articulated toy dachshund / dog by Kay Bojesen, circa 1990s.
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20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
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Walnut
Articulated Toy Elephant by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Articulated toy elephant by Kay Bojesen, circa 1990s.
Kay Bojesen's elephant, born in 1953, is a world-famous Classic for children and adults alike...
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20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
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Oak
Kay Bojesen toys and dolls for sale on 1stDibs.
Kay Bojesen toys and dolls 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 toys and dolls, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 24 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original toys and dolls by Kay Bojesen were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. Prices for Kay Bojesen toys and dolls can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $12 and can go as high as $25,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $763.
Questions About Kay Bojesen Toys and Dolls
- Where is Kay Bojesen made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Kay 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.