Midcentury Desk in Rosewood by Kai Kristiansen, Made in Denmak, 1950s
View Similar Items
Midcentury Desk in Rosewood by Kai Kristiansen, Made in Denmak, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Feldballes Møbelfabrik (Maker),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 54.14 in (137.5 cm)Depth: 27.96 in (71 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Lejre, DK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1020824430242
Kai Kristiansen
With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.
Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.
Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat. Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s. Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)
While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces. Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.
Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.
- Midcentury Desk in Rosewood Designed by Frits Heningsen, 1950sBy Frits HenningsenLocated in Lejre, DKFreestanding desk in rosewood with three drawers, designed and made by cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen. Made in Denmark, great original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Desk in Rosewood, Made in Denmark 1960sLocated in Lejre, DKGreat looking desk in rosewood. Designed by and made in Denmark in the 1950s. Nice original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Midcentury Sideboard in Rosewood by Omann Jun, 1950sBy Gunni OmannLocated in Lejre, DKGreat looking sideboard in rosewood designed by Gunni Oman for Oman Jun, Denmark in 1960s. Great original condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Midcentury Desk in Teak & Beech with Organizer, 1950sLocated in Lejre, DKElegant freestanding desk in teak and beech with organizer. Designed and made in Denmark, great original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBeech, Teak
- Midcentury Wall Mirror in Rosewood by Kai Kristiansen, Danish Modern, 1960sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in Lejre, DKWall mirror with frame in rosewood. Designed by Kai Kristiansen, made by Aksel Kjersgaard Denmark. Great original condition, circa 1960.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsRosewood
- Midcentury Danish Design Desk in Teak by Svend Aage Madsen, 1950sBy Svend Åge MadsenLocated in Lejre, DKGreat looking desk in teak with cane details on the frame and the handles. Designed by Svend Aage Madsen. Made in Denmark in the 1950s. Nice original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsCane, Teak
- Kai Kristiansen Fm 60 Executive Desk In TeakBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAThis Danish modern executive desk Model FM 60 in teak was designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik in 1957. The large work surface is supported by four sculpted legs wh...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Teak Desk Model70 by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballe MobelfabrikBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Little Burstead, EssexAn excellent example of this desk from Kai Kristiansen, produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960'sCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Floating Top Teak Desk by Kai KristiansenBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in North Hollywood, CAStunning Danish modern teak desk designed by the famous cabinet maker Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfrabrik in Denmark, circa 1960s. The FM60 desk is a highly sought-after Scan...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Desk in Teak wood model 54 by Kai Kristiansen and Feldballes furniture from 1954By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Lejre, DKDesk, Model 54, designed by Kai Kristiansen in teak wood with 4 drawers and swivel bar manufactured at Feldballes Møbelfabrik. A classic piece of furniture with a beautiful shape and...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Kai Kristiansen Sled Leg Rosewood Desk c1960sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Model 30 Desk This iconic desk from Danish master Kai Kristiansen features elegant sled legs with 2 drawer units hung on either side. The units have drawers to the f...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Floating Desk Fm50 by Kai KristiansenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in San Marcos, CAHere is a sought after Scandinavian Modern executive floating desk Model FM60 in rosewood designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Feldballe's Møbelfabrik in Denmark in the 19...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood