Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer),Feldballes Møbelfabrik (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.93 in (76 cm)Width: 53.94 in (137 cm)Depth: 27.96 in (71 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Oud Beijerland, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5578224884642
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Aalsmeer, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk, 1970sLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery nice teak desk, produced in Denmark in the 1970s. The desk can be used as free standing thanks to the finished back side. On the front there are three drawers with the or...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Mid-Century Danish Teak Desk by Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard, 1960sBy Gunnar Nielsen TibergaardLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery nice desk designed by G. Nielsen Tibergaard, produced in Denmark in the 1960s. The desk is made of teak and free standing thanks to the finished back side with open storage ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- Teak Coffee Table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1970'sBy Kai Kristiansen, Aksel KjersgaardLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery nice coffee or side table. Designed by the Danish designer Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1970's. Fabricated and designed with endowment, made of teak.Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak
- 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
- Mid-Century Italian Desk by Gianfranco Frattini, 1950sBy Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLVery nice writing desk, designed by Giancarlo Frattini. It is fabricated in Italy in the 50's. This desk has three drawers and is in good vintage condition (see the pictures).Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Set of 6 Mid Century Italian Teak Dining Chairs, 1950sLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLLovely set of 6 dining chairs, designed and fabricated in Italy in the 50's. The teak wooden structure is very elegant but solid. The chairs are just reupholstered with new won...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Fabric
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Kai Kristiansen Model EP 401 Rosewood Executive Desk for FeldballesBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated 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
- 1950s Danish Teak Chest of Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes MobelfabrikBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Southampton, GB1950s Danish teak chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Mobelfabrik. A lovely small and practical piece with 4 drawers and solid teak handles and legs.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTeak
