Handsome Danish Modern Executive Desk on Sled Base by Kai Kristiansen, 1960
View Similar Items
Handsome Danish Modern Executive Desk on Sled Base by Kai Kristiansen, 1960
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 66.5 in (168.91 cm)Depth: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: Meg1stDibs: LU108402183962
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.
- Torno Desk Lamp or Table Lamp in Olivine Enamel & Brass by Blueprint LightingBy Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo, Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYOur best-selling Torno family of fixtures is now available as a desk or table lamp! Handmade by Blueprint Lighting, the spun aluminum shades are inspired by a vintage 1950s Italian d...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- Modern Supernova Chandelier in Oil-Rubbed Bronze by Blueprint LightingBy Stilnovo, Arteluce, Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYIntroducing the Supernova chandelier-- a dynamic, lively design by Blueprint Lighting, 2019. Supernova is constructed with a brass frame with spun aluminium orbs; shown in our hand f...Category
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
- Large, Modern "Catalonia" Chandelier in Enamel + Brass by Blueprint Lighting NYCBy Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo, Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYHandcrafted in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, our 'Catalonia' Chandelier is a commanding statement piece with design elements of both Italian and French modernism and is a stunning study...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- Large Modern "Ludo" Chandelier in White Enamel and Brass by Blueprint LightingBy Stilnovo, Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYLarge 10-arm round "Ludo" Chandelier shown in natural brass and our "Perfect White" enamel fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting. The wide band and distinct shape make the Ludo a strong design statement and an exercise in playful modernism. Swiveling head allows for cone adjustment. The spun aluminium cones are influenced by vintage a 1950s Italian design. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. Enamel color may be specified. Our extensive list of 36 standard enamel colors are shown in the final image. Frame and hardware patina may be specified, but may impact lead time and cost slightly. We also make corresponding wall sconces articulated reading lights in this design and can produce this chandelier at practically any size oval or circle. Total dimensions as shown are 64" diameter and 64" overall height--these dimensions are easily able to be customized. This piece may use any E12 candelabra base bulb up to 60 watts (or use LED). Bulbs are not included. UL listed. Striking design scaled to work well in a dining room, foyer or entryway. Lovely in a master suite, living room or glam room...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- 'Monarch' 3-Arm Modern Pendant in Brass and Gray Enamel by Blueprint LightingBy Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYThe "Monarch" 3-arm pendant or small chandelier shown in natural brass and our high-gloss "Dove" gray enamel fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, 2018. The wide brass band and d...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass
- Modern 2-Tier Catalonia Fixture in Enamel and Brass by Blueprint Lighting, NYCBy Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo, Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYHandcrafted by Blueprint Lighting, the 2-tier Catalonia is a more compact version of our wildly popular Catalonia chandelier, perfectly suited for...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
- 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
- 20th Century Executive Desk by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes MøbelfabrikBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Brugge, BE'Model 70' 1950s Denmark Teak 72cm high, 172cm wide, 85cm deep Kai Kristiansen embodies the essence of Danish Modern design, with his creations serving as quintessential example...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
$4,906 Sale Price32% Off - 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
- Kai Kristiansen Model EP 401 Rosewood Executive Desk for FeldballesBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Norwalk, CTSleek, elegant, and powerful, the EP 401 desk by Kai Kristiansen is a timeless piece of Danish Mid-Century design. The design features a simple silhouette, with solid secondary woods...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- 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
- Midcentury Desk by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballe Møbelfabrik, 1950sBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Lisboa, LisboaKai Kristiansen design this large desk in 1950s for Feldballe Mobelfabrik. Iconic Model 70. The desk have six drawers on the front and two doors on the backside. This executive desk ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsRosewood
$9,235 Sale Price20% Off