Items Similar to Set of 4 Dining Chairs, Model 42, Designed by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
Set of 4 Dining Chairs, Model 42, Designed by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
$3,837.89per set

About
A set of 4 dining chairs, model 42, designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Schou Andersen in the 1960s. The chairs are of rosewood and upholstered in light striped wool fabric.
Details
- CreatorSchou Andersen Møbelfabrik (Manufacturer),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Design
- DimensionsHeight: 28.75 in. (73 cm)Width: 21.66 in. (55 cm)Depth: 21.66 in. (55 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in. (46 cm)
- Sold AsSet of 4
- StyleScandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques
- Place of Origin
- Period
- Date of Manufacture1960s
- ConditionWear consistent with age and use.
- Seller LocationLejre, DK
- Reference Number1stDibs: LU1209222384962
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingCustoms Duties & Taxes May Apply.Ships From: Lejre, Denmark
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn More
About the Design
Chair #42
Designed by Kai Kristiansen
A radical, simple piece of furniture, Kai Kristiansen's (b. 1929) Chair #42 perfectly exemplifies Danish modern design’s meld of form, space and functionality. Produced in 1956 for Danish manufacturer Schou Andersen, the functional and modest properties of Kristiansen’s minimalist dining chair are emphasized when viewed from the front. Admiring Chair #42 from the side tells a different story, however, as the focus shifts from its sharply inclined rear legs and joined armrests to a tilting, floating backrest. The chair’s profile is dramatic and radical, and examining the frame from this perspective helps clarify why Chair #42 earned the nickname “Z Chair” over the years. Kristiansen’s elegant piece is both simple and technically difficult, its soft lines belying the expert craftsmanship therein while referencing earlier artisan furniture that influenced the Danish modern movement as well as Kristiansen himself. Trained as a cabinetmaker, Kristiansen studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen under Kaare Klint, who is widely recognized as one of the founders of modern Danish design. The young Kristiansen established his practice soon after, focusing mostly on seating and storage for prominent Danish manufacturers such as Andersen, Fritz Hansen and Magnus Olesen. While he’s largely known for the quality of his designs, Kristiansen was equally comfortable designing chairs, desks, sideboards and wall units. He designed the Model 31 chair shortly after Chair #42 — a similar model, with inlaid arms — as well as the popular Paper Knife series of sofas and chairs. As a designer, Kristiansen favored teak and rosewood, and garnered major renown for his dark-wood FM modular wall unit in 1957 for Feldballes Møbelfabrik. The customizable shelving system was popular throughout Europe and in the United States, and remains one of the best-known examples of modular shelving, predating Dieter Rams’s 606 Universal Shelving System for Vitsoe by several years. Many of Kristiansen’s designs fell out of production due to their manufacturing challenges, although some collections have recently been reissued by Japan’s Miyazaki Chair Factory. The stripped-down, spare Chair #42 is one of the earliest modern ergonomic chairs, specifically designed to support the sitter. Suitable for a dining room or as a reading chair, it is Kristiansen’s best-known chair. The piece has effectively remained in production since the 1950s and is currently available from Miyazaki.
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1986
1stDibs seller since 2015
273 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 5 hours
More From This Seller
- Set of Four Dining Room Chairs, Model 31 by Kai Kristiansen, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen MøbelfabrikLocated in Lejre, DKA set of four dining room chairs, model 31, designed by Kai Kristiansen in 1956 and manufactured by Schou Andersen in the 1960s. The chairs are of rosewood and upholstered in red lea...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Set of Four Dining Room Chairs, Model 31, Designed by Kai Kristiansen in 1956By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen MøbelfabrikLocated in Lejre, DKA set of four dining room chairs, model 31, designed by Kai Kristiansen in 1956 and manufactured by Schou Andersen in the 1960s. The chairs are of teak and upholstered in turquoise f...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Set of Four Dining Room Chairs in Teak of Danish Design, 1960sLocated in Lejre, DKSet of four dining room chairs in teak and upholstered with striped fabric, of Danish design from the 1960s. The chairs are in great vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Set of Four Dining Room Chairs in Beech of Danish Design from the 1960sLocated in Lejre, DKSet of four dining room chairs in beech of Danish design from the 1960s. The chairs can be reupholstered if wished.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Set of 4 Dining Chairs, Model 82, Designed by N.O. Møller from the 1960sBy Niels Otto MøllerLocated in Lejre, DKSet of 4 dining chairs, model 82, designed by N.O. Møller from the 1960s. The chairs are of rosewood and upholstered with light leather. They are all in very good vintage condition. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Corner Cabinet in Teak Designed by Kai Kristiansen, 1960sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Lejre, DKCorner cabinet in teak designed by Kai Kristiansen from around the 1960s. The cabinet is in great vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Corner Cupboards
MaterialsTeak
You May Also Like
Set of Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs, Rosewood, Aniline Leather, 1960s
By Skovmand and Andersen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. Rosewood frames with seat and back reupholstered with vintage tan aniline lea...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Set of Ten Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A set of ten (10) Model 42 rosewood dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen, Denmark, 1960s. Tilting backrest. Newly reupholstered seats in Larsen / Cowtan and Tout fabri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Danish Mid-Century Teak Z-Chair, Model 42, by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s, Set of 6
By Kai Kristiansen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Elshout, NL
The Z chair, also referred to as chair #42, by design of Kai Kristiansen and produced by Slagelse Møbelvaerk. This chair got it’s Z shape from the suspending back rest. It's a classi...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Naugahyde, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Mahogany Dining Chairs Model 31, Denmark, 1960
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of four Kai Kristiansen mahogany dining chairs model 31 also called ‘Pige Chairs’. Produced by Schoe Anderson in Denmark in the early 1960s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Hardwood and Leather Chairs by Kai Kristiansen Model 42
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Vienna, AT
Dining chairs, model 42, designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured in Denmark by Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik. The chairs are made from solid hardwood, featuring tapered legs, curve...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Set of Four Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs in Rosewood Stained Oak
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of four model #42 dining chairs also known as the "Z" chair designed by Kai Kristiansen manufactured by Schou Andersen in the 1960s. One of the most iconic and coveted chairs to ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Teak
Set of 6 Kai Kristiansen Chairs Model 42 in Santos Rosewood for Schou Andersen
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
These are a beautifully marked solid Santos Rosewood Model 42 dining chairs, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik C 1960. Totally original and in very good cond...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Faux Leather, Hardwood
1960s Kai Kristiansen Fully Restored and Reupholstered Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Rosewood dining chair with adjustable swivel backrest by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik.
The chair have Kai Kristiansens typical light and elegant design that make it fit in...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Rosewood, Fabric
Set of 7 Danish Modern Kai Kristiansen Teak Dining Chairs
By Jens Risom, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern teak dining chairs in black vinyl by Kai Kristiansen.
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Teak
1960s Kai Kristiansen Restored Dining Chairs in Teak and Black Leather
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Kai Kristiansens model 31 dining chairs with refinished frames and black leather upholstery.
The A-frame model 31 chairs were designed by Kai Kristiansen in 1956. The model with its...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Teak
Recently Viewed
View MoreThe 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery
More Ways To Browse
Andersen Rosewood
Scandinavian Dining Chair Kai
Kai Chairs Rosewood
Rosewood Kai Danish Chairs
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Chair
Danish Modern Dining Armchair
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Dining Chairs
Rosewood Dining Chair Kristiansen
Schou Andersen Mobelfabrik
Wool Rosewood Danish
Chair 42
Scandinavian Modern Wool Dining Room Chairs