Kai Kristiansen Model 42, Set of Six (more available)
View Similar Items
Kai Kristiansen Model 42, Set of Six (more available)
About the Item
- Creator:Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik (Manufacturer),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 21.26 in (54 cm)Depth: 18.9 in (48 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU123229735403
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.
- 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
- Set of 8 Grete Jalk oak & teak dining chairs, 6 side, 2 carversBy Sibast, Grete JalkLocated in London, GBAn incredibly rare set of 8 dining chairs by Grete Jalk. Model 32-42 designed by Grete Jalk in 1962 and produced by the fine furniture maker Sibast. This striking Scandinavian Moder...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsOak, Teak
- Handcrafted English Oak BenchLocated in London, GBA handmade English oak staked legged dining bench. These resilient and striking benches are made to typical dining seat height but can be utilised in many other ways. Incredibly so...Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Benches
MaterialsOak
$932 / item - Danish Teak Dining Chairs, Randers, 1960By Schionning & Elgaard, Randers MøbelfabrikLocated in London, GBA set of 4 very nicely crafted Danish teak dining chairs designed by Schionning and Elgaard for Randers, circa 1960. Lovely condition with ne...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
$2,095 / set - Handcrafted Oak Single Seat BenchLocated in London, GBHandcrafted English oak staked legged single seater bench. Produced in London, England. Much of this work is characterised by the predominant use of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Benches
MaterialsOak
- Pair of Handcrafted Walnut NightstandsLocated in London, GBHandcrafted architectural American black walnut nightstands. Designed at Sum furniture and handcrafted using traditional furniture making techniques with the finest American Black Wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
$4,753 / set
- Set of Six Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs in TeakBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik Era: 1958 Materials: Teak Measurements: 21.5″ wide x 20″ deep x 29″ tall Seat: 18.5″ wide x 17″ dee...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Set of Six Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs in RosewoodBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood Measurements: 21.5″ wide x 20″ deep x 29″ tall Seat: 18.5″ wide x 17...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsRosewood
- Set of Six Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs in RosewoodBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik Era: 1958 Materials: Rosewood Measurements: 21.5″ wide x 20″ deep x 29″ tall Seat: 18.5″ wide x 17″...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsRosewood
- Set of Seven Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs in RosewoodBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood, Wool Measurements: 21.5″ wide x 20″ deep x 29″ tall Seat: 18.5″ wid...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWool, Rosewood
- Set of Four Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs in TeakBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik Era: 1958 Materials: Teak Measurements: 21.5″ wide x 20″ deep x 29″ tall Seat: 18.5″ wide x 17″ dee...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen Model 42By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Vienna, ATDining chairs, model 42, designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured in Denmark by Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik. The chairs are made from solid teak, featuring tapered legs, curved ar...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsHardwood, Teak
$1,100 / item