Set of Danish Midcentury Teak Bookends by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
View Similar Items
Set of Danish Midcentury Teak Bookends by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 4 in (10.16 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU936626693082
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.
- Pair of Midcentury Glass Owl Bookends by BlenkoBy Blenko GlassLocated in San Diego, CAMidcentury pair of handblown owl bookends by Blenko, circa 1960s. The bookends are heavy and solid with a smooth back side a finish and a textural finish on the front. Very cool deco...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsBlown Glass
$375 Sale Price / set21% Off - Pair of Mid-Century Teak BookendsLocated in San Diego, CAPair of mid-century teak bookends, circa 1960s. Two sets available. #3559Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsMetal
$150 / set - Pair of Midcentury Amber Glass Owl Bookends by BlenkoBy Blenko GlassLocated in San Diego, CAMidcentury pair of handblown amber colored owl bookends by Blenko, circa 1960s. The bookends are heavy and solid with a smooth back side a finish and a textural finish on the front. ...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsBlown Glass
$375 Sale Price / set21% Off - Pair of Midcentury Marble Horse Head BookendsLocated in San Diego, CAStylish pair of midcentury marble horse head bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and well crafted, they are honey cream in color w...Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsMarble
$180 Sale Price / set20% Off - Midcentury Sculptural Jacks BookendsBy Bill CurryLocated in San Diego, CASolid iron sculptural jacks bookends in a chocolate brown. Could also be used as doorstops. 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Midcentury Glass Owl Bookends by BlenkoBy Blenko Glass, Jonathan Adler, RosenthalLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful pair of midcentury glass owl bookends by Blenko from the 1960s. Incredible craftsmanship and detail in this pair of glass bookends that can adapt to your style as sculpture...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Kai Kristiansen Set Teak Bookends, DenmarkBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLKai Kristiansen set teak bookends Denmark Mid-century small teak bookends attributed to Kai Kristiansen, manufactured in the 1960's by Feldballe Møbelfabrik in Denmark, made of so...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, Set of 9By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Asaa, DKMid-century bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, set of 9. Very decorative Danish modern bookends in rosewood and metal designed by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen for Feldballe...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsHardwood
- Mid-Century Bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, Set of 8By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Asaa, DKMid-century bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, set of 8. Very decorative Danish modern bookends in rosewood and metal designed by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen for Feldball...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsHardwood
- Pair Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Metal & Wood Bookends, Denmark, 1960sLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful pair of mid-century bookends, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s. These were designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Fm Moebler. Made from finely grained rosewood wi...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Danish Teak Bookends 1960s, Set of 2Located in Asaa, DKVintage Danish teak bookends 1960s, Set of 2 Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern bookends in solid teak with metal base. Very good original condition. Ready to support.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Danish Modern Single Teak BookendBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Chula Vista, CA1960s Danish Modern Single Teak Wood Bookend 5.25 h x 5.25 d x 4 w Unrestored preowned original vintage condition Wear is present Refer to all images for condition.Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Bookends
MaterialsTeak