Poul Kjaerholm

Danish, 1929-1980

A trained cabinetmaker, Poul Kjærholm’s use of industrial methods and materials in the 1960s brought a fresh, graceful, sleek new style to Danish modern design.

At what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Kjærholm studied under Hans Wegner and Jørn Utzon — an industrial designer and the architect of the celebrated Sydney Opera House. The latter greatly influenced Kjærholm’s furniture production techniques — although he employed natural materials such as cane and leather, to a far greater extent than his peers Kjærholm embraced the use of steel (rather than wood) framing for his chairs, daybeds and tables.

Kjærholm’s signal design was the PK22 chair of 1956, a low-slung leather lounger on a steel base. The ideas introduced in the PK22 — Kjærholm’s designs were named using a numeric system devised with his manufacturer, E. Kold Christensen — were refined throughout his career, as the offerings below show: the PK11 chair of 1957, with back and armrests formed by a semicircle of ash; the capacious, richly patinated leather seat of a vintage 1961 PK9 chair; the elegant rattan swoop of the PK 24 chaise longue (1965). The chaise longue's leather headrest, held in place by a steel counterweight, best shows Kjærholm's particular gift for combining technological advancements with a respect for traditional detailing.

While respectful of the past, Poul Kjærholm's sensibility is one of optimism and expectation. His was design for those who lived with verve and élan, and confidently anticipated the future.

Find a collection of vintage Poul Kjærholm furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price

$9,075

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Poul Kjærholm

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

Poul Kjærholm PK-9 Dining Chairs by E. Kold Christensen Brown Leather, Denmark

$6,300

H 30.3 in W 22.8 in D 22.8 in

Poul Kjærholm PK-9 Dining Chairs by E. Kold Christensen Brown Leather, Denmark

By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen

Located in Vienna, AT

Early original 1960's PK9 single chair for E. Kold Christensen (marked), produced circa 1960-1970- We have another set of four available, please inquire. This single chair is in stu...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Steel

Poul Kjærholm, pair of early PK31 leather lounge chairs for E. Kold Christensen

$21,260Sale Price|25% Off

H 28.35 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in

Poul Kjærholm, pair of early PK31 leather lounge chairs for E. Kold Christensen

By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen

Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi

Discover the epitome of Scandinavian Vintage Design with this pair of Poul Kjærholm PK31 lounge chairs, meticulously crafted for E. Kold Christensen. These highly collective pieces a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Steel

Early Poul Kjaerholm PK11 Armchair for E Kold Christiansen Denmark 1950's

$7,000

H 26 in W 25 in D 22 in

Early Poul Kjaerholm PK11 Armchair for E Kold Christiansen Denmark 1950's

By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm

Located in Troy, MI

Early model PK11 armchair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christiansen Denmark circa 1957 Architectural three leg frame in stainless steel with original leather seat and arced backres...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Stainless Steel

Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen "PK22" Tan Leather Lounge Chair

$5,500

H 27.5 in W 25 in D 26 in

Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen "PK22" Tan Leather Lounge Chair

By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen

Located in Astoria, NY

Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen "PK22" Lounge Chair, with tan leather seat and back on chrome-plate legs, "Republic of Fritz Hansen" label. 27.5" H x 25" W x 26" D; seat: 14.25" H. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Chrome

Poul Kjærholm 'PK22' Wicker Lounge Chair for Fritz Hansen

$4,999 / item

H 28 in W 24.8 in D 24.8 in

Poul Kjærholm 'PK22' Wicker Lounge Chair for Fritz Hansen

By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Poul Kjærholm 'PK22' Wicker Lounge Chair for Fritz Hansen. Established in 1872, Fritz Hansen has become synonymous with legendary Danish design. Combining timeless craftsmanship wit...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Steel

Poul Kjaerholm 1953 Molded Aluminium Chair

$129,500

H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 35.44 in

Poul Kjaerholm 1953 Molded Aluminium Chair

By Poul Kjærholm

Located in Dronten, NL

Very important molded aluminum chair designed in 1953 by Poul Kjaerholm. This chair was owned by the sister of Poul Kjaerholm and the chair is pictured in Catalogue Raisonné by Micha...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Cantiliver Stainless Steel, Cane and Leather Lounge Chairs

$10,394 / set

H 35.04 in W 26.78 in D 36.23 in

Poul Kjaerholm PK20 Cantiliver Stainless Steel, Cane and Leather Lounge Chairs

By Poul Kjærholm

Located in Antwerp, Antwerp

A set of two iconic PK20 lounge chairs, originally designed in 1967 by Poul Kjærholm, one of the most influential figures of Danish modernism. This design was reissued in various for...

Category

Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Stainless Steel

PK24 Chaise Longue Chair by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen

$16,000

H 35.5 in W 23.5 in D 40 in

PK24 Chaise Longue Chair by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen

By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

This PK24 chaise longue, designed by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, embodies the Danish master’s commitment to refined simplicity and exceptional materials. Its flowing sculptural p...

Category

2010s Danish Modern Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Metal

Browse all Furniture from Poul Kjaerholm

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Poul Kjærholm Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$16,500	Stools	Steel, Leather	1960s
2026	$3,800	Stools	Steel, Leather	2020
2026	$3,800	Coffee and Cocktail Tables	Metal, Glass	1950s
2026	$3,612	Lounge Chairs	Stainless Steel, Wicker	2000s
2026	$21,980	Chaise Longues	Stainless Steel, Leather, Cane	1960s
2026	$7,157	Lounge Chairs	Stainless Steel, Leather	1970s
2026	$5,132	Chairs	Stainless Steel, Leather	Circa 21st Century
2026	$300	Side Tables	Brass, Walnut	2020
2026	$4,950	Lounge Chairs	Steel, Wicker	1982
2026	$8,274	Lounge Chairs	Steel, Wicker, Cane	1960s
2026	$3,703	Armchairs, Lounge Chairs	Rope, Oak	circa 1960s
2025	$7,410	Stools, Chairs	Steel, Leather, Wood	1960s
2025	$12,500	Bergere Chairs	Metal, Cane	1955 c
2025	$12,000	Lounge Chairs	Steel, Leather	1950s
2025	$2,350	Lounge Chairs, Chairs	Steel, Leather	1997
2025	$29,000	Daybeds	Stainless Steel, Leather, Rubber, Plywood	1957

$9,075

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$300-$29,000

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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More Poul Kjærholm Designs

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 22

Average Price

$8,028

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 22

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Metal, Animal Skin, Leather, Steel

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern

While his mid-century Danish peers were working with wood, Poul Kjærholm (1929–80) found inspiration in the structural potential of steel. His innovative PK22 chair, designed in 1956 for E. Kold Christensen, offers a modern take on the style of ancient folding chairs through its 20th-century engineering.Trained as a cabinetmaker, Kjærholm was influenced by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, whose 1929 Barcelona chair — created with Lilly Reich — anticipated the PK22 with its angled metal frame and lea...

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Poul Kjaerholm Pk 61

Average Price

$9,076

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 61

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Metal, Stone, Steel, Marble, Slate

Styles

Scandinavian Modern

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Poul Kjaerholm Pk 31

Average Price

$16,363

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 31

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Animal Skin, Leather, Metal, Steel

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern

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Poul Kjaerholm Pk 20

Average Price

$14,243

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 20

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Metal, Animal Skin, Leather, Steel, Chrome

Styles

Mid Century Modern

The PK20 is everything a lounge chair should be: It is as comfortable as it is stylish, and its sleek form renders it a versatile addition to almost any room. The chair’s gently curved, high-back leather-covered seat rests on a flexible, matte chromed spring steel frame. Designed by Danish furniture maker Poul Kjærholm (1929–80) for E. Kold Christensen in 1968, the PK20’s clean lines represent the ideals of minimalist modern furniture, while its adjustable headrest and scoop seat plainly sign...

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Archival Furniture Was Hot at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design

Reissued mid-century pieces are in the spotlight.

Poul Kjærholm furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Poul Kjærholm furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Poul Kjærholm furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 248 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 19 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Poul Kjærholm were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ib Kofod-Larsen, France & Søn, and Illum Wikkelsø. Prices for Poul Kjærholm furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $300 and can go as high as $207,921, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,166.