Kaare Klint and Ole Wanscher, Rare Armchair in Niger Leather and Mahogany Frame
View Similar Items
Kaare Klint and Ole Wanscher, Rare Armchair in Niger Leather and Mahogany Frame
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 35.04 in (89 cm)Width: 22.45 in (57 cm)Depth: 18.51 in (47 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1930s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Copenhagen, DK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1541216409901
Kaare Klint
Architect, teacher and furniture designer Kaare Klint is among the most important figures in Scandinavian modernism. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint sought to pay homage to historical furniture styles and prized functionality as essential to designing for modern living. He established the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and his students became mid-century legends of cabinetry and furniture-making.
Klint prioritized functionalism and drew on an array of influences in his own work. Furniture experts will observe the influence of 18th-century English seating in his Red chair, while Klint’s iconic Safari chair had roots in campaign furniture. The other exemplary chairs, sofas and tables for which he is known bear the mark of Thomas Chippendale and Biedermeier furniture as well as Greek and Roman forms.
Klint's father was Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, a formidable architect of his day. The younger Klint initially followed in his father’s footsteps, studying under him as well as distinguished architect Carl Petersen. Alongside Danish architect Ivar Bentsen, he headed the renovation of the Designmuseum Denmark in Copenhagen from 1920–26 (Klint also furnished the institution as part of the project). Around the same time, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the Royal Danish Academy. The impact of his role as an instructor there cannot be overstated — he mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher.
A prominent advocate of ergonomics, Klint valued comfort and functionality over style. Painstaking research went into each piece of sophisticated yet wholly unadorned furniture he designed, as he endeavored to build structures that took into consideration human proportions and scale. And like the Shakers, Klint believed that quality craftsmanship and good materials were integral to the design of durable furniture that was free of embellishment.
The humble grace of Klint’s style characterizes legendary seating designs that continue to charm today’s legions of mid-century modern enthusiasts. His Safari chair, Faaborg chair, Ravenna armchair and Propeller stool — as well as most of the seating created by Danish modernists generally — have warmed interiors and influenced furniture designers all over the world.
Find vintage Kaare Klint furniture and other Scandinavian modern furniture on 1stDibs.
Ole Wanscher
A scholar and architect with the heart of an artist, Ole Wanscher helped define the functional, clean-cut style that formed the core of modern Danish furniture design. Influenced heavily by his world travels, Wanscher gained inspiration from English, Asian, Egyptian and traditional Shaker furniture, and he incorporated elements from these styles into his revered mid-century designs.
Wanscher’s deep respect for the use of traditional materials such as quality wood is reflected in his work, which is valued for being both beautiful and built to last. He was also a leader in the postwar “design for everyone” movement, creating many pieces intended for everyday life within the small confines of the average Danish household. Later, Wanscher became a prolific writer on the subject of furniture design. He is considered one of the most significant influences on the world of Scandinavian modernism.
The son of an art historian and a painter, Wanscher studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. From 1925 to 1927, Wanscher worked under the great Danish designer and professor Kaare Klint, who became one of the greatest stylistic influences on his output. Wanscher would go on to work as a professor at the academy from 1955 to 1973.
Wanscher founded his own furniture manufacturing company in 1929. Here he employed the top cabinetmakers of the day, most notably A.J. Iversen, with whom Wanscher collaborated for many years. While the workshop produced seductive handmade furniture with organic materials such as teak and mahogany, Wanscher intended to design durable seating, tables and more for the mass market — he was committed to making quality furniture available to a wider audience.
Of all of Wanscher’s designs, he is perhaps best known for his Colonial chair. This piece — which is part of a collection for Danish manufacturer P. Jeppesens that includes a sofa and a coffee table — exemplifies his penchant for combining minimalist design with traditional craftsmanship. Wanscher’s dining room tables, such as the Rungstedlund table, also epitomize the elegance of his work’s simple silhouettes and careful construction. These sleek tables serve as an ideal centerpiece for both modern and traditionally styled dining rooms, highlighting the versatility of Wanscher’s work.
Wanscher received a gold medal for his exemplary work at the 1960 Milan Triennale. He also received the Copenhagen Carpenters’ Guild Annual Award. Though Wanscher passed away in 1985, his iconic designs and scholarly writings remain relevant to this day.
Find vintage Ole Wanscher tables, seating and case pieces on 1stDibs.
- Kaare Klint Armchair Dark Stained Oak and Original Patinated Niger Leather 1930sBy Kaare Klint, Rud RasmussenLocated in Copenhagen, DKKAARE KLINT AND RUD RASMUSSEN SNEDKERIER - SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A rare Kaare Klint armchair with profiled legs in dark stained oak, brass nailheads, original patinated niger leather...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Set of Twelve Kaare Klint Red Chairs, Rud Rasmussen, Niger Leather and MahoganyBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Copenhagen, DKKaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier - Scandinavian Modern Design. An extraordinary set of twelve Kaare Klint red chairs, executed by cabinetmaker Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark. Profil...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Rare Kaare Klint Box sofas in Mahogany & Niger Leather, Scandinavian ModernBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Copenhagen, DKKaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen snedkerier. A stunning pair of rare Kaare Klint Model no. 4118S two-seater box-shaped sofas with profiled cross legged mahogany frame. (Also called X-Bas...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Kaare Klint 'Red Armchair' in Dark Brown Leather and Dark Oak Frame, 1940sBy Kaare Klint, Rud RasmussenLocated in Copenhagen, DKKaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier - Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint model no. 3758A. 'Red Armchair' / 'Barcelona Chair' in dark brown leather, dark stained oak frame with pro...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Rare Pair of Kaare Klint Armchairs Model 5313, Niger Leather, Scandinavan ModernBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Copenhagen, DKKAARE KLINT & RUD RASMUSSENS SNEDKERIER SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A pair of early and rare Kaare Klint easy chairs, model 5313, mahogany legs and Nigerian ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Pair of Kaare Klint Red Chairs, Patinated Leather, Brass Nails and MahoganyBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Copenhagen, DKKaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier - Scandinavian Modern Design. An beautiful pair of Kaare Klint red chairs, executed by cabinetmaker Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark. Profiled legs of...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Norrevold Armchair by Kaare KlintBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Epperstone, NottinghamshireWonderful Norrevold armchair designed by Kaare Klint in 1939 for master cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussen, Copenhagen. This example in beautiful mahogany and tan coloured patinated leather....Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Kaare Klint Armchair Model 3758a in Leather and Mahogany Rud Rasmussen DenmarkBy Kaare Klint, Rud RasmussenLocated in WIJCKEL, NLArmchair model 3758 A in original red indian leather and mahogany base. Model designed in 1927 for the Danish Museum of Decorative Art, produced by Rud Rasmussen in the 1940’s. Signed with manufacturer’s label to underside: (Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier). Kaare Klint is widely recognized as the father of Danish modern design. It is hard to overstate his influence. He developed an entirely new analytical approach to furniture design that his students at the Danish Academy of Art would emulate for years to come, yet was also inspired by historic designs from various cultures, modernizing and re-interpreting classic pieces for new generations. Literature: Kaare Klint, Harkær, pg. 28-30. Dansk Møbelkunst Gennem 40 Aar: 1927-1936, Jalk, pg. 169. Danish Chairs, Oda, pg. 22-23. Kaare Klint (1888-1954) is regarded as the founding father of Danish Modernim. As an architect, furniture designer and leading professor at the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Klint established the principles of modern Danish furniture by combining a profound appreciation of traditional construction techniques with a modernist emphasis on function and a rejection of ornaments. Klint’s design was always based on relentless research; he never compromised. Every piece had to fulfill its purpose, be completely clear in its construction with dimensions and proportions corresponding to the human body and display materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality. Logic, often using a mathematical system of measures, and a constructive way of thinking were the foundation of Klint’s philosophy of furniture design. Like many of his contemporaries, counting Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, he advocated standardization and functional requirements and dismissed the use of all ornamentation. But Klint realized his vision in wood and leather, using traditional craftsmen and working methods and often finding inspiration in historical models. In this way, he charted the course for an alternative Nordic Functionalism that idealized the workshop and the collaboration between furniture architects and cabinetmakers as opposed to the factory. Kaare Klint’s first major work was a collaboration with his mentor, the architect Carl Petersen. In 1914 they were commissioned to design furniture and fixtures for Faaborg Art Museum. One of the highlights to emerge from this commission was the Faaborg chair, a light and elegant chair with clear references to classical furniture. The construction and proportions of an 18th century English Chippendale...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Kaare Klint Red Chair for Rud, RasmussenBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Copenhagen, DKKaare Klint 'Red Chair' in Cuban mahogany, Niger leather and brass nails. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØRRE...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Kaare Klint Red Chair, Rud. Rasmussen, 1930sBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Copenhagen, DKKaare Klint 'Red Chair' in Cuban mahogany, Niger leather and brass nails. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen 1936-1940. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/...Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Kaare Klint Red Chair for Rud. Rasmussen, 1930sBy Rud Rasmussen, Kaare KlintLocated in Copenhagen, DKKaare Klint Red chair. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Mahogany, black horsehair and brass nails. Underside with manufacturer's paper label RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØRREBROGAD/K...Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Kaare Klint ArmchairBy Kaare KlintLocated in Los Angeles, CAKaare Klint armchair designed in 1927 and produced by Rud Rasmussen.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
On Hold$3,400