Kai Kristiansen Executive Teak Desk for FM Møbler
View Similar Items
Kai Kristiansen Executive Teak Desk for FM Møbler
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 67.75 in (172.09 cm)Depth: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Teak
- Place of Origin:Canada
- Period:20th Century
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Surprise, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2807312318941
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.
- Kai Kristiansen Fm 60 Executive Desk In TeakBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAThis Danish modern executive desk Model FM 60 in teak was designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik in 1957. The large work surface is supported by four sculpted legs wh...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- 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
- Scandinavian Modern Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen by Fm Møbler, 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, FM MøblerLocated in Asaa, DKScandinavian Modern Teak desk by Kai Kristiansen by FM Møbler 1960s Freestanding Danish Mid-Century Modern writing desk Model FM60 in teak designed by Danish architect Kai Kristians...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1960sBy Vittorio DassiLocated in Traversetolo, ITStylish Italian Mid-Century Modern executive desk in bordeaux color designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1960s. Hexagonal top shape, the double brass bar support with high adjustable le...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
$3,505 Sale Price20% Off - Model 56 Teak Desk by Arne Wahl IversenBy Arne Wahl IversenLocated in Brooklyn, NYHandsome teak desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik. This compact yet functional desk is beautifully constructed, with added f...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Rosewood Side Table No. 381, Danish, 1950sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Richmond, SurreyKai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard rosewood side table No. 381, Danish, 1950s This midcentury small occasional / side table is Model no. 381, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aks...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsRosewood