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Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Paper Knife Sofa, 1955

About
Details
- CreatorMagnus Olesen (Manufacturer),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- DesignPaper Knife 3-Seater SofaPaper Knife Series
- DimensionsHeight: 30.32 in. (77 cm)Width: 45.28 in. (115 cm)Depth: 32.29 in. (82 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in. (40 cm)
- StyleScandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques
- Place of Origin
- Period
- Date of Manufacture1955
- ConditionExpertly restored to the highest standard by our in-house team.
- Seller LocationLondon, GB
- Reference Number1stDibs: LU1333215152062
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingCustoms Duties & Taxes May Apply.Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
About the Designer
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.
- By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Paper knife lounge chair, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid rosewood. New ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Rosewood
- By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Paper Knife lounge chair, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid rosewood. New ...Category
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- By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. N...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool
$11,471 / set - By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Pair of paper knife model lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in rosew...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Rosewood
- By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in Pau...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Hardwood
$10,638 / set - By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Square Ottoman, 1950s Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid rosewood. New foam cushi...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Rosewood
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