Poul Kjaerholm PK31 Sofa in Black Leather for E Kold Christensen, Denmark
View Similar Items
Poul Kjaerholm PK31 Sofa in Black Leather for E Kold Christensen, Denmark
About the Item
- Creator:E. Kold Christensen (Manufacturer),Poul Kjærholm (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 27.56 in (70 cm)Width: 78.75 in (200 cm)Depth: 29.53 in (75 cm)Seat Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Slight rusting surface frame and light surface wear leather. Cushions have been reupholstered some time ago.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1710214470461
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.
E. Kold Christensen
Founded in Hellerup, Denmark, by entrepreneur Ejvind Kold Christensen, furniture manufacturer E. Kold Christensen was instrumental in advancing the career of Poul Kjærholm, a revered Danish cabinetmaker who brought a graceful and sleek new style to Scandinavian design.
Christensen and Kjærholm formed not only a close friendship but also a fruitful business partnership that endured for decades. The company produced most of Kjærholm’s acclaimed armchairs, stools and lounge chairs — which were often framed in brushed steel and upholstered in leather — until Kjærholm’s death in 1980.
Christensen began his career as a sales manager for the furniture manufacturer Carl Hansen & Søn. In the late 1940s, Christensen introduced the young Hans Wegner to Carl’s son, Holger Hansen — who was by then running his family’s legendary company — after recognizing the potential of this new designer. Wegner, Hansen and Christensen solidified their partnership by forming SALESCO — a marketing company with the sole purpose of promoting Wegner’s now universally celebrated body of work.
In the mid-1950s, Christensen partnered with promising designer Kjærholm — their pairing was the result of Wegner recommending that Christensen help develop Kjærholm (Wegner had been a teacher of Kjærholm’s at what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts). Christensen established his eponymous company with the singular goal of manufacturing his friend’s works.
E. Kold Christensen’s founder offered Kjærholm the room he needed to explore the structural potential of steel in furniture-making — he created forward-looking seating, tables and other pieces that reflected the influence of modernist designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich rather than the output of his Scandinavian peers, who worked primarily with wood. (Kjærholm would later experiment with wood during the 1970s.)
The refined PK22 chair, a lounger made of steel with a seat of leather or canvas has over time been compared to Mies and Reich’s Barcelona chair and is a fine example of Kjærholm’s mid-century innovations for E. Kold Christensen. It was an instant commercial success — launching both the designer's and manufacturer's careers. Later, Kjærholm’s iconic PK24 chair merged stainless steel, leather and a sinuous seat of woven wicker, while his PK61 coffee table offered a fanciful, off-center support structure for its glass top. By 1960, Kjærholm had twice been awarded the Grand Prize at the Milan Triennale.
In the 1980s, E. Kold Christensen sold the production rights to a range of Kjærholm’s work to Fritz Hansen, where the designer had incidentally worked for a short time in the early 1950s (the company now has rights to the complete collection) . Many of Kjærholm’s works are part of collections at the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, while museums in Norway, Denmark, Germany and Sweden also have his works — each produced by E. Kold Christensen — in their permanent collections.
On 1stDibs, find vintage E. Kold Christensen chairs, tables, lighting and more.
- Arne Jacobsen Swan Sofa in Grace Walnut Leather for Fritz Hansen, Denmark 1958By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz HansenLocated in Amsterdam, NLIconic design from 1958 by Arne Jacobsen for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen Denmark (known now as the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel). This (re-)edition of the Swan Sofa (Model 3321) wa...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsAluminum
- Fabrizio Ballardini Ribalta Sofa and Daybed red-brown leather for Arflex ItalyBy ArflexLocated in Amsterdam, NLThe Ribalta sofa and daybed was designed by Fabrizio Ballardini for Arflex in the eighties. The hinged corners of the sofa are adjustable, creating a versatile and playful whole from...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Poul M. Volther Daybed in Oak, Leather and Bouclé for FDB Møbler, Denmark 1960sBy Poul Volther, FDB MøblerLocated in Amsterdam, NLElegant Daybed designed by Poul M. Volther for FDB Møbler, Denmark 1960s. Solid Oak frame with warm woodgrain and wooden slatted base. The Daybed is in very good condition with minor...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsLeather, Bouclé, Oak
- Hans J. Wegner GE19 Daybed with Teak and Camel Leather for Getama Denmark 1960sBy Hans J. Wegner, GETAMALocated in Amsterdam, NLBeautiful early Daybed Model GE19 designed by Hans J. Wegner for Getama Denmark 1960s. Teak frame with tapered legs and brass brackets in very good condition with minor traces of use...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Kurt Østervig Hunter Chair Oak and Black Leather for K.P. Jørgensens MøbelfabrikBy Kurt Østervig, KP MoblerLocated in Amsterdam, NLGreat example of a Scandinavian hunting chair (model 168) by Kurt Østervig for K. P. Jørgensens Møbelfabrik, Denmark. The design is sometimes also attributed to Erling Jessen and rem...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Dennis Marquart Rama Chair in Natural Leather and Oak for OxdenmarqLocated in Amsterdam, NLElegant Rama armchair designed by Dennis Marquart for OxDenmarq. Beautiful curved soaped oak frame and interesting details with natural leather upholstery. Display model and in very ...Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Poul Kjaerholm PK-31/3 Sofa Kold ChristensenBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in BAARLO, LIThis three-seater sofa is a rare, timeless, and original old 1960s version of the PK-31, a famous and iconic design by Poul Kjaerholm for Kold Christensen. The previous owner had the...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Danish Design Sofa PK 31/3 Poul Kjærholm E. Kold Christensen Denmark KjaerholmBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Oldenburg, NIBeautiful, black sofa designed by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen in Denmark, 1958. The model is named “PK 31/3”, corresponding to the 3-seater sofa. The sofa has a beautiful p...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
$13,468 Sale Price30% Off - Poul Kjaerholm 'PK31' Sofa in Black LeatherBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Waalwijk, NLPoul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, three-seat sofa model PK 31, leather and metal, Denmark, 1958. Beautiful PK31 sofa in patinated black leather by P...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- PK-31/2 Leather Sofa by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1958, DenmarkBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Steenwijk, NLThis sofa was once placed in a bank building in Denmark. It is completely original and marked with the original marking of E. Kold Christensen on the bottom bar. The dark brown leath...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
$11,750 Sale Price24% Off - Poul Kjærholm PK-31/4 Sofa by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1950'sBy Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold ChristensenLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery rare and exceptional 4 seat PK31 sofa. This stunning sofa is designed by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark 1950's. Beautiful and high quality original black lea...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Poul Kjaerholm PK31 Easy Chair for E. Kold ChristensenBy E. Kold Christensen, Poul KjærholmLocated in Copenhagen, DKPoul Kjaerholm PK31 easy chair. Dull chromium-plated steel, black colored oxhide, loose down cushions. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel