Poul Kjaerholm Cane PK22 Lounge Chair
View Similar Items
Poul Kjaerholm Cane PK22 Lounge Chair
About the Item
- Creator:E. Kold Christensen (Maker),Poul Kjærholm (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1955
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Kalamazoo, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5573232474282
PK22 Chair
While his mid-century Danish peers were working with wood, Poul Kjærholm (1929–80) found inspiration in the structural potential of steel. His innovative PK22 chair, designed in 1956 for E. Kold Christensen, offers a modern take on the style of ancient folding chairs through its 20th-century engineering.
Trained as a cabinetmaker, Kjærholm was influenced by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, whose 1929 Barcelona chair — created with Lilly Reich — anticipated the PK22 with its angled metal frame and leather welted cushions. Kjærholm’s pieces balanced precise lines of stainless steel with leather, rope and wicker, each selected with a consideration of how they age. As the organic materials take on imperfections and wear, their patina contrasts with the enduring strength of the steel.
The PK22 chair followed the PK25 lounge chair — completed by Kjærholm while he was studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen — and reflected his evolving approach to design. Whereas the PK25 involved a single steel piece with a rope seat, the PK22 chair offered a simpler shape. Its two leg pieces bend into feet and are connected by two crossbars that curve downward to support a rectangle of leather or woven cane. This allows a person to rest without feeling the metal on the seat or the front edge, and it also makes for easy disassembling.
Because every element of the PK22 chair’s spare construction is visible, Kjærholm considered its aesthetics down to its exposed joints. Its immediate commercial success fueled Kjærholm’s career, and Fritz Hansen continues to manufacture the chair today.
Poul Kjærholm
A trained cabinetmaker, Poul Kjærholm’s use of industrial methods and materials in the 1960s brought a fresh, graceful, sleek new style to Danish modern design.
At what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Kjærholm studied under Hans Wegner and Jørn Utzon — an industrial designer and the architect of the celebrated Sydney Opera House. The latter greatly influenced Kjærholm’s furniture production techniques — although he employed natural materials such as cane and leather, to a far greater extent than his peers Kjærholm embraced the use of steel (rather than wood) framing for his chairs, daybeds and tables.
Kjærholm’s signal design was the PK22 chair of 1956, a low-slung leather lounger on a steel base. The ideas introduced in the PK22 — Kjærholm’s designs were named using a numeric system devised with his manufacturer, E. Kold Christensen — were refined throughout his career, as the offerings below show: the PK11 chair of 1957, with back and armrests formed by a semicircle of ash; the capacious, richly patinated leather seat of a vintage 1961 PK9 chair; the elegant rattan swoop of the PK 24 chaise longue (1965). The chaise longue's leather headrest, held in place by a steel counterweight, best shows Kjærholm's particular gift for combining technological advancements with a respect for traditional detailing.
While respectful of the past, Poul Kjærholm's sensibility is one of optimism and expectation. His was design for those who lived with verve and élan, and confidently anticipated the future.
Find a collection of vintage Poul Kjærholm furniture on 1stDibs.
- Kindt Larsen Teak Lounge Chairs 116 for France and SonBy France & Søn, Edvard Kindt-LarsenLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a pair of rare and beautiful teak lounge chairs by the Danish design duo of Tove and Edvard Kindt Larsen. These chairs, designed in the 1950s and made in Denmark, are crafted...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Mid Century Japanese Folding Cane Lounge ChairBy KosugaLocated in Kalamazoo, MIRare folding lounge chair with cane seat and back made by Kosuga of Japan. High-quality build and beautiful woven cane combine for an exercise in sublime minimalism. Folds up easily ...Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCane
- Mid Century Modern Angel Pazmino Throne ChairBy Angel PazminoLocated in Kalamazoo, MIA rare extra-large version of the Mid-Century Modern design from Ecuador’s Angel Pazmino. Crafted by artisans from tropical hardwoods with hand-tooled leather slings. Beautiful wood ...Category
Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- Fredrick Kayser Leather Lounge ChairBy Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne MøblerLocated in Kalamazoo, MIExtremely comfortable reclining leather lounge chair on Brazilian Rosewood base designed by Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne Mobler in Norway. Designed in the 1960s, this chair is a comfo...Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Rosewood Mid-Century Modern Lounge ChairBy Fredrik A. KayserLocated in Kalamazoo, MIBeautifully crafted from solid Brazilian Rosewood, this Mid-Century Modern lounge chair is clearly heavily influenced by Norwegian designer Fredrik A. Kayser's nearly identical loung...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRosewood
- Kipp Stewart Rosewood and Walnut Lounge Chair and OttomanBy Kipp Stewart, DirectionalLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a beautiful and rare lounge chair and ottoman pairing designed by Kipp Stewart for Directional in 1960. Superb form and beautiful woods combine in this walnut frame chair wit...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRosewood, Walnut
- 1956, Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, PK22 Lounge ChairsBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach,...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- PK22 in Cane by Poul Kjærholm for E Kold ChristensenBy E. Kold Christensen, Poul KjærholmLocated in Saint Paul, MNThis is a rare early edition PK22 by famed Danish designer, Poul Kjærholm. Manufactured by Ejvind Kold Christensen, this model long predates any current models available from Fritz Hansen. Kjærholm's designs are know for their architectural nature and the PK22 is no different. The bent steel legs and frame serve as the framework for delicately woven cane whose warmth is a juxtaposition to the sterility of the steel. The cane is perfectly patinated and pairs well with the oxidized steel frame that is missing some of the finish. This is a true collector's item that can be used for many years. Confluence...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Cognac Leather PK 22 Poul Kjaerholm Lounge Chair, Scandinavian Modern, 1960'sBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Antwerp, BECognac leather PK 22 Poul Kjaerholm lounge chair, Scandinavian Modern, 1960's While his mid-century Danish peers were working with wood, P...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Matched Pair PK22 Lounge Chairs by Poul Kjærholm for E Kold ChristensenBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Buffalo, NYMatched pair early PK22 lounge chairs by Poul Kjærholm for E Kold Christensen.. retain original black naugahyde, one chair top corners in need or repair (see photo), E. Kold Christe...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- 1956, Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, PK22 Lounge Chair in Red LeatherBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Poul Kjærholm Model Pk22 Easy ChairBy Poul Kjærholm, Fritz HansenLocated in Berkeley, CAThe discrete and elegant lounge chair PK22 epitomizes the work of Poul Kjærholm and his search for the ideal type-form and industrial dimension, which was always present in his work. The profile of the steel frame structure originates from his graduation project, the “Element” Chair (PK25...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsOak
$7,726 / item