Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chairs
View Similar Items
Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer),Magnus Olesen (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.56 in (70 cm)Width: 25.2 in (64 cm)Depth: 27.56 in (70 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1959
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Thoroughly cleaned and polished throughout with new upholstery.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1232217813542
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.
Magnus Olesen
For the better part of the past century, Magnus Olesen has been producing sturdy and functional furnishings for the modern lifestyle. With a focus on durability and exceptional quality, the Danish manufacturer continues to uphold the traditions associated with Scandinavian modernism — its artisans adhere to standards of the highest caliber in the construction of its widely revered armchairs, lounge chairs, stools and other pieces, which are crafted in a range of rich woods such as ash, oak and teak with a prioritization on practicality and ergonomics.
Cabinetmaker Magnus Olesen founded his eponymous company in 1937 in Denmark, and since then the brand has been producing functional, elegant furniture for interiors all over the world.
The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. Some of the designers that have partnered with Magnus Olesen over the years include Kai Kristiansen — a Danish cabinetmaker known for his innovative mid-century wall units — duo Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørensen, and Ib Kofod-Larsen, who was one of the best-selling Danish furniture makers in the United States during the 1950s, a time when Scandinavia’s simple, curvilinear wooden furniture, home goods and textiles suddenly seemed the perfect foil for America’s glass-and-steel skyscrapers.
With a showroom in Copenhagen and a production facility in Durup, Magnus Olesen remains in business today. The company primarily focuses on home furnishings but also produces a range of furniture for offices, the hospitality industry and healthcare facilities.
Find vintage Magnus Olesen chairs, tables and other seating on 1stDibs.
- Kurt Olsen Leather ChairBy Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Kurt OlsenLocated 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
$1,264 - Modernist Lounge Chair, Tove & Edvard Kindt LarsenBy France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-LarsenLocated in London, GBA superbly designed lounge chair by Tove & Edvard Kindt Larsen. Model 117 constructed from European beech with inset teak armrests. Price includes reupholstery in fabric colour of ch...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Beech
- Modernist Oak Lounge Chair, Tove & Edvard Kindt LarsenBy France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-LarsenLocated in London, GBA superbly designed lounge chair by Tove & Edvard Kindt Larsen. Model 117 constructed from European oak with inset teak armrests. Price includes reupholstery in fabric colour of choi...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak, Teak
- Arne Vodder Leather Chair, Sibast, Danish 1960By Arne Vodder, SibastLocated 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
- 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
$1,405 / 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
- Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Teak Easy Chair for Magnus Olesen Set of 2By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Munich, BavariaKai Kristiansen Modell 121 paper knife easy chair in teak wood. Produced by Magnus Olesen. The fabric is original made of polyurethan and beautiful Lambs wool. Great condition. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Lounge ChairsBy Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark. New cushions upholstered in Kvadrat Hallingd...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool
$12,455 / set - Pair of Danish Design Paper Knife Lounge Chairs by Kai Kristiansen in Teak BlackBy Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Ijzendijke, NLRare pair of 'Paper Knife' model 121 lounge chairs in teak and black leather (faux) design by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in 1955. Gorgeous organic design style sculpted in s...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak
$9,070 / setFree Shipping - Paper Knife Armchair by Kai kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1956By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Barcelona, ESPaper Knife armchair designed in 1956 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Teak frame upholstered with new wool fabric from...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Set of Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Easy Chairs 1950s DenmarkBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in St-Brais, JUA set of Kai Kristiansen’s most celebrated design: two ‘Paper knife’ chairs crafted from solid teak wood. One of the most graceful and beautiful chairs of the Danish Modern period. T...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Wool
- Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood Paper Knife Lounge Chairs, 1950sBy Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Pair of paper knife model lounge chairs, 1955. Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in rosewood. New cushions upholstered in soft grey wool fabric.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Rosewood