Kai Kristianesn Ash Writing Desk Vintage, 1960s
View Similar Items
Kai Kristianesn Ash Writing Desk Vintage, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 61.03 in (155 cm)Depth: 29.53 in (75 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Szczecin, PL
- Reference Number:Seller: 45041stDibs: LU3905317957722
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.
- 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
- 1960s Danish Teak Writing DeskLocated in Praha, CZ- Item was carefully refurbishedCategory
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood, Teak
- Mid-Century Italian Oak Writing Desk, 1960sLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLBeautiful desk, fabricated in Italy in the 1960s. This oak wooden desk is made with love and passion by a craftsman as you can see on the details. The desk can be used as free stan...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsOak
- 1960s Vintage L Shape DeskLocated in North Hollywood, CAVintage L-shape desk designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1970s. This beautiful desk features a wood frame with an L -shape design giving you double the storage and s...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood
- 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
- Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen, 1950sBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated 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