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

$7,900

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Poul Kjærholm

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

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

Fritz Hansen PK 20 wicker lounge chair designed by Poul Kjærholm

$4,250

H 35 in W 32 in D 28 in

Fritz Hansen PK 20 wicker lounge chair designed by Poul Kjærholm

By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Pre Owned Fritz Hansen PK20 wicker lounge chair designed by Poul Kjærholm. Minimalist Low lounge chair with Stainless steel frame and raw wicker hand woven upholstery. Good Pre owned...

Category

Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

$28,913

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 E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm

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

Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed in black leather for Fritz Hansen Denmark

$11,500

H 12 in W 74.75 in D 31.5 in

Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed in black leather for Fritz Hansen Denmark

By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen

Located in Skokie, IL

The Poul Kjaerholm PK80 daybed is an iconic piece that exemplifies the Danish design ethos of simplicity and functionality. Designed in 1968, the PK80 features a minimalist aesthetic...

Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed

$11,200Sale Price|20% Off

H 28 in W 54 in D 28 in

PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed

By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This highly collected early production original of the PK-31 loveseat sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen has beautifully aged black leather and patinated steel. Designed...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Steel

Poul Kjærholm PK71 Nesting Tables for E. Kold Christensen, Early 1960 Production

$1,950 / set

H 11.42 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in

Poul Kjærholm PK71 Nesting Tables for E. Kold Christensen, Early 1960 Production

By Poul Kjærholm

Located in Dronten, NL

A rare and highly collectible set of Poul Kjærholm PK71 nesting tables, produced by E. Kold Christensen in the early 1960s. These are unmarked early production examples, identifiable...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Steel

Early Production 'PK-22' Lounge Chair by Poul Kjærholm for EKC, Double-Signed

$6,850Sale Price|21% Off

H 29 in W 24.75 in D 23.75 in

Early Production 'PK-22' Lounge Chair by Poul Kjærholm for EKC, Double-Signed

By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This exceptional all-original early-production PK22 lounge chair by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen represents a highly collectible and investment-worthy example of one of the ...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Steel

Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Easy Chair in Steel & Canvas by Fritz Hansen Denmark, 1997

$6,023

H 27.96 in W 24.81 in D 25.6 in

Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Easy Chair in Steel & Canvas by Fritz Hansen Denmark, 1997

By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm

Located in Stockholm, SE

A rare and iconic Danish modern "PK22" chair in brushed chromium plated steel and original natural colored canvas by Poul Kjaerholm produced and stamped by Fritz Hansen in Denmark 19...

Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Poul Kjaerholm

Materials

Steel

Browse all Furniture from Poul Kjaerholm

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Poul Kjærholm Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

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
2025	$4,500	Lounge Chairs	Steel, Leather	Circa 21st Century
2025	$1,500	Coffee and Cocktail Tables	Stainless Steel, Slate	1975
2025	$1,800	Coffee and Cocktail Tables	Steel, Glass	2006
2025	$14,624	Lounge Chairs, Armchairs	Metal, Leather	1958
2025	$5,600	Stools	Steel, Leather	1959
2025	$7,173	Lounge Chairs	Steel, Leather	1958
2025	$8,625	Daybeds	Stainless Steel, Leather, Rubber, Wood, Plywood	2006
2025	$3,280	Stools	Steel, Leather, Plastic	2018
2025	$1,500	Coffee and Cocktail Tables	Chrome, Glass	circa 1960
2025	$6,835	Chaise Longues	Steel, Wicker	2014
2025	$6,250	Armchairs	Steel, Leather	1970
2025	$12,000	Chairs	Steel, Leather	1964
2025	$3,395	Lounge Chairs	Stainless Steel, Wicker	2002

$7,900

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$1,500-$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

$8,620

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 22

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Metal, Animal Skin, Leather, Steel

Styles

Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century 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

$10,306

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 61

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Metal, Stone, Steel, Marble

Styles

Scandinavian Modern, Mid Century Modern

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Poul Kjaerholm Pk 31

Average Price

$16,701

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 31

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Animal Skin, Leather, Metal, Steel

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern

Shop All

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 20

Average Price

$13,621

Number Available

Poul Kjaerholm Pk 20

By Poul Kjærholm

Materials

Metal, Animal Skin, Leather, Steel, Chrome

Styles

Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian 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.