Pair of Lounge Chairs, Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
View Similar Items
Pair of Lounge Chairs, Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 29 in (73.66 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 1955
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Light wear to wood including one stable separation to seat hidden under cushion. Minor loss to backrest on one example. Overall fine, vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: WR100.13341stDibs: LU84901709962
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.
- Teak Paper Knife Armchair, Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus OlesenBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Lisboa, LisboaThe pair of teak 'Paperknife' armchairs, Model 121, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, is a testament to the finesse of Danish mid-century modern furniture design. Crafte...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
$6,159 Sale Price / set25% Off - Pair of 'Paper Knife' Easy Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, 1956By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Antwerpen, VANMagnificent pair of ‘Model 121’ easy chairs designed in 1956 by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Magnus Olesen in Denmark. Beautifully crafted solid teak frames with the signature arm...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
$5,693 Sale Price20% Off - Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chair in Teak for Magnus OlesenBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLVintage 'Paper Knife' chair in teak by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen. Cushions have been newly upholstered in a vintage grey Maharam Hallingdal wool textile by Nana Ditzel. Marke...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Teak
- 1960s Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paperknife Chair For Magnus Olesen, DenmarkBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Shepperton, SurreyPerhaps Kai Kristiansen’s most celebrated design and a bona fide Danish design classic. A hard to find original ‘Paperknife’ chair crafted from solid rosewood. One of the most grace...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife Chair in Teak for Magnus OlesenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Copenhagen, DKKai Kristiansen Modell 121 paper knife easy chair in teak wood. Produced by Magnus Olesen. Can be upholstered for additional 500€ on request.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Paperknife Chair For Magnus Olesen, DenmarkBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Shepperton, SurreyPerhaps Kai Kristiansen’s most celebrated design and a bona fide Danish design classic. A hard to find original ‘Paperknife’ chair crafted from solid rosewood. One of the most grace...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRosewood