Kai Kristiansen Danish Sofa
View Similar Items
Kai Kristiansen Danish Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Magnus Olesen (Manufacturer),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 65.5 in (166.37 cm)Depth: 29 in (73.66 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1955
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Oakland, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU95021106346
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.
- Kai Kristiansen Narrow Danish Teak ChestBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Oakland, CA1960s Kai Kristiansen teak dresser with mitered edges, recessed round pulls, and raised on tapered legs. The cabinet has been fully restored with a hand-rubbed natural oil finish. It...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTeak
- 6 Kai Kristiansen Danish Dining Chairs in Original FabricBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Oakland, CAKai Kristiansen walnut dining chairs, model 31 for Schou Andersen, circa 1955, Denmark. These dining chairs offer exceptional comfort and back support. The seat frames are constructe...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Kai Kristiansen FM Rosewood Wallunit #1By Kai KristiansenLocated in Oakland, CAMidcentury Brazilian rosewood wall system designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Mobelfabrik Denmark. Kai Kristiansen's FM-Reolsystem is a ful...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
Sold$4,600 / set - Six Kai Kristiansen Danish Dining Chairs in Original Striped WoolBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Oakland, CAKai Kristiansen walnut dining chairs, model 31 for Schou Andersen, circa 1955, Denmark. These dining chairs offer exceptional comfort and back support. The seat frames are constructe...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWool, Walnut
- Kai Kristiansen FM Rosewood Wall Unit #2By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Oakland, CABrazilian rosewood wall system designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark. FM-Reolsystem is a fully interchangeable wall mount shelving system. Crafted in rosewoo...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood, Wood
- Kai Kristiansen Teak Chest of Drawers DresserBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Oakland, CAMidcentury Danish teak low dresser designed by Kai Kristiansen, 1955, Denmark. The dresser is crafted of teak with six book-matched drawers and...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Paper Knife Sofa by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1956By Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Barcelona, ESTwo seater Paper Knife sofa designed in 1956 by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark. Teak frame upholstered with new wool fabr...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife three seater sofa Magnus Olesen Denmark 1956By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Etten-Leur, NLBeautiful elegant shaped three-seat sofa model Paper Knife no. 121 designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Magnus Olesen, Denmark 1956. This sculpted sofa features a solid te...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Danish Design Reupholstered Paper Knife Sofa Model 121 by Kai Kristiansen, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Elshout, NLModel 121 sofa : Paper Knife sofa We are so pleased to present this drop-dead gorgeous and rare ‘Paperknife’ couch designed in the 1950s by Kai Kristiansen ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Danish Design Kai Kristiansen Seating Group Model Universe, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Renens, CHA rare seating arrangement designed by designer Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in Denmark. This set has been made from Brazilian Rio Palisander and represents excellent craftsman...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Wood
$10,547 Sale Price / set20% Off - Paper Knife Kai Kristiansen Magnus Olesen 1962 3 Seater Sofa Model 191 BoucleBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Cambridge, GBNew Stock ✅ Paper Knife Sofa Kai Kristiansen For Magnus Olesen 1962 Three Seater Model 191 Boucle Wool Teak Mid Century Retro Vintage MCM An iconic and striking Danish 'Paper Knife...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Foam, Teak
- Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen Mid Century No 121 Paper Knife Teak SofaBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Countryside, ILKai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen mid century No 121 Paper Knife Teak Sofa The sofa measures: 63 wide x 21 deep x 27 high, with a seat height of 16 inches All pieces of furnitu...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak