Pair of Kai Kristiansen Model 32 Chairs, repolished with New Leather.
View Similar Items
Pair of Kai Kristiansen Model 32 Chairs, repolished with New Leather.
About the Item
- Creator:Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik (Manufacturer),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 21.26 in (54 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Frames cleaned and re-oiled, completely new upholstery.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU123227547033
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.
- Unique Handcrafted Scandinavian Oak & Leather ChairLocated in London, GBA remarkable and unique oak and leather chair. Striking curved and slick streamlined frame with a design aesthetic straight from the Moller book. The oak frame has been thoroughly cl...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Kurt Olsen Leather ChairBy Kurt Olsen, Slagelse MobelvaerkLocated in London, GBClassic Scandinavian mid-century elbow/desk or occasional chair by Kurt Olsen. Designed by Olsen for for Slagelse Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Smooth sculptural wooden frame that has its or...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
$1,262 - Arne Vodder Leather Chair, Sibast, Danish 1960By Sibast, Arne VodderLocated in London, GBWonderful Arne Vodder designed armchair / desk chair by Sibast, circa 1960, Denmark. Fully reupholstered in steel white Italian leather. Extremely ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Orum H-Frame High Back ChairLocated in London, GBA very unusual high-back H frame leather chair. Original leather. Incredibly well designed and crafted frame. Beautiful curves. Produced by Orum, Denmark. circa 1960.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Leather Erik Kirkegaard Chair, 1950By Høng Stolefabrik, Erik KirkegaardLocated in London, GBThe Erik Kirkegaard chair is probably the most comfortable chair of its kind that we’ve encountered over the years. The curves and angles hold and support the body extremely well. Ex...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsBeech, Leather, Walnut
$1,402 / item - Korup Stolefabrik Modernist Dining Chairs, Set of 4By Korup StolefabrikLocated in London, GBA superb set of four dining chairs by Korup Stolefabrik. Produced in Denmark in the early 1960's. A great example of European modernist design. Teak frames with perfect little armres...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Dining Room Chairs, Model 42, Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen, 1960By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen MøbelfabrikLocated in Lejre, DKThis set of 6 dining chairs is truly an iconic example of the timeless elegance that characterizes mid-20th century Danish furniture design. The chairs are model 42, designed by the ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Set of Four Dining Chairs, Model 42, Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen, 1960By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen MøbelfabrikLocated in Lejre, DKThis set of 4 dining chairs is an excellent representation of the timeless and elegant style that characterizes mid-20th century Danish furniture design. The chairs are model 42, des...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Rosewood
- Set of Eight Dining Room Chairs, Model 42, Designed by Kai KristiansenBy Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen MøbelfabrikLocated in Lejre, DKThis set of 8 dining chairs is truly an iconic example of the timeless elegance that characterizes Danish furniture design from the Mid-20th Century. The chairs are model 42, designe...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- 4 Chairs Model 42 by Kai KristiansenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in PARIS, FRDelicacy and elegance is what best characterizes Kristiansen's modernist design. In 1956, he designed his most famous product, the No. 42 chair for Schou Andersen. The elegantly curv...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsPalisander
$7,000 / set - Kai Kristiansen Compass Chair with Walnut Legs and Light Gray Blue UpholsteryBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Los Angeles, CASingle Kai Kristiansen Compass chair with light blue upholstery. The Compass Dining Chair / Kompas was designed in 1958 by Kai Kristians...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mid-Century Teak Model 42 Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen.By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen MøbelfabrikLocated in GNIEZNO, 30A set of four chairs model 42 designed by Kai Kristiansen for the Danish manufacture Schou-Andersens Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. Frame made of teak. Completely restored. Wood has been...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
