Danish Modern Kai Kristiansen Floating Top Teak Desk
View Similar Items
Danish Modern Kai Kristiansen Floating Top Teak Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Minneapolis, MN
- Reference Number:Seller: Product ID: 45441stDibs: LU152729829803
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.
- Danish Modern Oak Hans Wegner Writing DeskBy PP Møbler, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Minneapolis, MNA writing desk in oak that exemplifies studio level woodworking. A design by Hans J. Wegner known as the “Classic Desk” which references traditional Scandinavian cabinetmaking. This...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsOak
- Danish Modern Finn Juhl NV40 Writing DeskBy Niels Vodder, Finn JuhlLocated in Minneapolis, MNA rare Finn Juhl design know as the FJ 40. One of Finn Juhl’s earliest designs that is produced by master cabinet maker Niels Vodder.A small compact writing desk in teak with very fi...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Bernt Peterson Double Drop Leaf Table Desk with Free Standing ReturnBy Bernt PetersenLocated in Minneapolis, MNBernt Peterson designed minimalist drop-leaf office table desk in oak. This is a substantial and well constructed table finished with spare but eleg...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsOak
- Danish Modern Teak Illum Wikkelso Teak PlanterBy Illum WikkelsøLocated in Minneapolis, MNDanish modern teak planter designed by Illum Wikkelso. Original black plastic liner. Two available. Price is per piece. Professional, skill...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsTeak
$1,395 / item - Danish Modern Mahogany Secretary DeskLocated in Minneapolis, MNThis elegant secretary desk is made from Cuban mahogany, which tends to have a honey colored appearance compared to more ubiquitous forms of the wood. It would be well placed in an ...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
MaterialsMahogany
- Danish Modern Teak & Pine Occasional TableLocated in Minneapolis, MNAn interesting Danish Modern occasional table made from teak and pine. A design that features the newer methods of the period by using a...Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen, 1950sBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLBeautiful mid century Danish desk with a lovely shaped top. Designed by Kai Kristiansen and fabricated by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 50's. A cute circular storage...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Mid-century Teak Writing Desk Designed by Kai KristiansenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Oakland, CAMid-century teak desk designed by Kai Kristiansen, circa 1959, in Denmark. The desk is crafted of teak, with a curved top surface, a series of three drawers with carved pulls, a righ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Floating Top Teak Desk by Johannes SorthBy Bornholm MøbelfabrikLocated in North Hollywood, CABeautiful Danish modern floating top teak desk designed by Johannes Sorth for Bornholm Møbelfabrik in Denmark, circa 1960s. Features a total of four dovetail drawers, which the right...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Floating Top Teak Desk by Peter Løvig NielsenBy Lovig Dansk, Peter Løvig NielsenLocated in North Hollywood, CAFabulous Danish modern floating top teak desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen for Løvig Dansk in Denmark, circa 1960s. Features a floating top design with a raised lip along the edge...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Desk by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes MøbelfabrikBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Dallas, TXA large teak desk model no 70 designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik.Category
Vintage 1960s Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Model EP 401 MCM Danish Rosewood Executive DeskBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Countryside, ILKai Kristiansen for Feldballes Model EP 401 Mid Century Danish Rosewood Executive Desk This desk measures: 61 wide x 29.5 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27 inches All ...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome