Iconic Designs
PK22 Chair
About the Design
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 leather welted cushions. Kjærholm’s pieces balanced precise lines of stainless steel with leather, rope and wicker, each selected with a consideration of how they age. As the organic materials take on imperfections and wear, their patina contrasts with the enduring strength of the steel.
The PK22 chair followed the PK25 lounge chair — completed by Kjærholm while he was studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen — and reflected his evolving approach to design. Whereas the PK25 involved a single steel piece with a rope seat, the PK22 chair offered a simpler shape. Its two leg pieces bend into feet and are connected by two crossbars that curve downward to support a rectangle of leather or woven cane. This allows a person to rest without feeling the metal on the seat or the front edge, and it also makes for easy disassembling.
Because every element of the PK22 chair’s spare construction is visible, Kjærholm considered its aesthetics down to its exposed joints. Its immediate commercial success fueled Kjærholm’s career, and Fritz Hansen continues to manufacture the chair today.
Poul Kjaerholm Pk 22
to
20
10
25
17
16
16
9
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Lounge Chair in Black Leather E Kold Christensen PK 22
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural PK22 Model Lounge Chair, designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E Kold Christensen, signed, Denmark, circa 1960s. According to the estate where we purchased this chair, the leathe...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK 22 Wicker and Stainless Lounge Chair
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Poul Kjaerholm PK 22 wicker and stainless lounge chair. Classic Kjaerholm design, extremely comfortable. PK 22 Wicker and brushed steel chair by Poul Kjae...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Poul Kjærholm Pair of PK22 for Fritz Hansen
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjærholm two PK22 in steel and cane. Executed by Fritz Hansen, Denmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1956
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
An absolutely stunning original PK22 lounge chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by Ejvind Kold Christensen, Denmark 1956. This iconic lounge chair consists of a spring ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
danish Modern Poul Kjaerholm PK22 for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in San Diego, CA
Poul Kjaerholm PK22. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.
Dull chromium-plated steel and cane. beautiful early production very clean some rust but nice clean condition.
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjærholm Pair of PK22 for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjærholm two PK22 in dull chromium plated steel and cane. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Vintage PK22 by Poul Kjaerholm in Leather / Fritz Hansen, '1985'
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in GOOR, NL
PK22 is a chair designed by the Danish furniture designer Poul Kjærholm in 1956. It is also known as the PK22 Lounge Chair.
The PK22 chair was originally manufactured by E. Kold ...
Category
Vintage 1980s Danish Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather
Poul Kjaerholm Cane PK22 Lounge Chair
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This piece is a rare early production PK22 lounge chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm in approximately 1955. The chair was made by E.Kold Christense as ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm Pair of PK22 for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm pair of PK22 easy chairs in dull chromium-plated steel and cane. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjærholm Iconic PK 22 Chair reupholstered in Cowhide, E. Kold Christensen 2
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980) the praised Danish designer, the "furniture architect", designed the emblematic PK22 Chair in 1956. Standing out from the other Danish mid century designers, his predilection material wasn't wood but steel.
This PK22 gets its outstanding comfort from the cowhide which is floating above the metal structure, thanks to the curved crossbars that holds the feet together without interfering with the seat's ergonomy. The obviously powerful and effective design speaks for itself, fitting perfectly a more intimate space needing structure and discretion thanks to the thin and light side view, as well as larger rooms thanks to the wide seat and backrest creating subtle geometric shapes.
The chair has been reupholstered in an elegant black and white cowhide, whose unique pattern interacts gracefully with the design.
The frame bears...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Pair of PK22 Armchairs by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pair of PK22 Armchairs by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s.
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Cognac Leather PK 22 Poul Kjaerholm Lounge Chair, Scandinavian Modern, 1960's
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Cognac leather PK 22 Poul Kjaerholm lounge chair, Scandinavian Modern, 1960's
While his mid-century Danish peers were working with wood, Poul Kjærholm (1929–80) found inspiration in...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Black Leather Chairs
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Poul Kjaerholm PK22 black leather sling chairs that were produced in 2000, they were sold through Fritz Hansen and Knoll. Overall ver...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
PK22 Chair by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, 2008
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Helsinki, FI
Mid-Century Modern PK22 chair is a classic designed by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christiansen in 1955. This his example is a Fritz Hansen production, manufactu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Midcentury "PK 22" Lounge Chair in Patinated Leather Designed by Poul Kjærholm
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking PK22 lounge chair in patinated leather. Designed by Maa. Poul Kjærholm for Kold Christensen. Made in Denmark. Original condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Leather
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Lounge Chair in Leather
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This stunning Mid-Century Modern lounge chair is an early production PK22 lounge chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm in the middle of the 1950s. The cha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Pair of PK 22 Lounge Chairs by Poul Kjearholm, Denmark, Oxblood Leather
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Antwerp, BE
A pair of PK 22 lounge chairs by Poul Kjaerholm, Denmark. Designed in 1956 and produced by E. Kold Christensen. Brushed steel frame covered with durable oxblood leather upholstery. S...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Poul Kjaerholm 1956 PK22 Lounge Chairs for E.Kold Christensen A/S
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Willows, CA
Here we have an outstanding pair of early production PK22 lounge chairs, designed by Poul Kjaerholm in the 1950’s and produce by E. Kold Christensen 1956-1982. Both chairs exhibit wo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjærholm Easy Chairs Model PK-22 Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs model PK-22 designed by Poul Kjærholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Exquisite Cognac Leather PK22 chairs by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Voorburg, NL
A very nice set of original PK 22 chairs designed by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark . This original old 1950s edition is professionally reupholstered with soft cognac...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Poul Kjaerhjolm PK 22 Wicker Lounge Chair
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Hudson, NY
Highly recognizable and extremely desirable is this Poul Kjaerholm PK 22 wicker and stainless lounge chair—one of two available. Made with wicker and brus...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Distinctive Set of Brown Leather PK 22 Chairs by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Voorburg, NL
A very nice set of original PK 22 chairs designed by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, Denmark . This original 1980s edition comes with soft brown leather with beautiful patina. The so...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Anthracite Grey by Fritz Hansen, 2004
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Priced each we have 4 Paul Kjaerholm PK 22 chairs from Fritz Hansen labeled and dated 2004. We believe these chairs were only produced in this color for 2 years. These chairs come wi...
Category
Early 2000s Scandinavian Chairs
Materials
Fabric
PK-22 Easy Chair by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, Scandinavian Modern, 1980's
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scandinavian modern; Denmark; PK-22 Easy Chair; Loung chair; Poul Kjærholm; Fritz Hansen; Rattan; Wicker;
Poul Kjaerholm early edition easy chair PK22 in hand-woven rattan and bru...
Category
Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 in Canvas for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm PK22. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.
Dull chromium-plated steel and canvas.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 by E. Kold Christiansen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introduced in 1956 the Kjaerholm PK 22 became an immediate commercial and critical success. The award winning design was not easy task;
It tool Kjaerholm five years to develop the ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Slipper Chairs
Poul Kjærholm PK-22 easy chairs by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs model PK-22 designed by Poul Kjærholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjærholm PK22 in Black Leather for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjærholm model PK22, 1956. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.
Dull chromium-plated steel and original black leather.
Two chairs available.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Lounge Chair
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
PK22 lounge chair designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1956. The chair was produced by Danish design brand Fritz Hansen in 2004.
Satin brushed stainless ste...
Category
Early 2000s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of “Pk 22” Lounge Chairs by Poul Kjaerholm
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of “PK 22” lounge chairs by Poul Kjaerholm, made from brushed steel and rust colored leather. Made by original producer E. Kold Christensen. A repair has been made to the leathe...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
More Poul Kjærholm Designs
Poul Kjaerholm Pk 22
Average Price
$7,506
Number Available
28
Poul Kjaerholm Pk 22
Materials
Metal, Animal Skin, Leather, Steel, Natural Fiber
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...
Poul Kjaerholm Pk 61
Average Price
$9,156
Number Available
16
Poul Kjaerholm Pk 61
Materials
Metal, Steel, Stone, Glass
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
Poul Kjaerholm Pk 31 3
Average Price
$21,115
Number Available
12
Poul Kjaerholm Pk 31 3
Materials
Animal Skin, Leather, Metal
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
