1960s Wall unit, Kai Kristiansen
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer),FM Møbler (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 63.39 in (161 cm)Width: 67.33 in (171 cm)Depth: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:ca. 1969
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Good restored condition with slight signs of usage.
- Seller Location:Neuss, DE
- Reference Number:
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: Neuss, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Flötotto Wall unitLocated in Neuss, NWArticle Details Three-part wall unit from the "Profilsystem" collection by Flötotto from the 1970s. High-quality frame made of solid beech with two doors, seven shelves and original...Category
Vintage 1970s German Shelves
MaterialsFormica, Beech
- Wall Shelf with Bar Cabinet by Poul Cadovius, 1960sLocated in Neuss, NWClassic shelving system from the 1960s, the high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of two shelves, a container with sliding doors, a bar contai...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Shelves
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Shelving System Wall Shelf Designed by Richard NeutraBy Richard NeutraLocated in Neuss, NWRare clamping column shelf from the 1960s in walnut veneer. The system was designed by austro-american architect Richard Neutra and was produced in a limi...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- 1960s Shelving system, Poul CadoviusBy Poul CadoviusLocated in Neuss, NWClassic shelving system from the 1960s. The high-quality containers and shelves are veneered in teak. The system consists of 15 shelves, two containers with hinged doors, one contain...Category
Antique 1660s Danish Shelves
MaterialsTeak
- Teak Wall Mirror from 1960sLocated in Neuss, NWWonderful mirror from the 1960s with a high-quality solid teak frame.Category
Vintage 1960s Wall Mirrors
MaterialsTeak
- Wall Coat Rack 1960s in TeakLocated in Neuss, NWRare wall coat rack from the 1960s veneered in teak with four hooks. Quality Features: very good workmanship high-quality materials Made in Germany.Category
Vintage 1960s Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960sBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish modular rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. Floating modular 1 bay shelving system model FM Reolsystem....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen MidCentury Scandinavian Dark Wood Shelves System Fm Møbler 1960sBy Kai Kristiansen, FM MøblerLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITLibreria Scandinava in legno scuro disegnata da Kai Kristiansen per FM Mobler composta da 10 mensole con due profondità posizionabili a piacere, produzione Danimarca 1960. Etichetta ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
MaterialsWood
- Danish Modern Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes MobelfabrikBy Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes MøbelfabrikLocated in Lisboa, LisboaThis Danish Modern wall unit, designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, is a masterpiece of mid-century design. Crafted from teak wood, known for its durability and bea...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsRosewood
- Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbler, 1960sBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in PARIS, FRThis shelf was designed by Kai Kristiansen for the Danish publisher Feldalles Møbler in the 1960s. This designer is a major figure in 20th century Scandinavian design. He is known fo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
MaterialsTeak
- Kai Kristiansen Modular Wall Unit in RosewoodBy Kai Kristiansen, FM MøblerLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: FM Era: 1960s Materials: Rosewood Measurements: 33.5" wide x 16" deep x 20" tall (Largest Case) 33" wide x 92" tall (Wall Pa...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsRosewood
- 60s 70s Teak Teak Shelf Wall Unit Kai Kristiansen Danish Design 60sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Neuenkirchen, NI60s 70s teak teak shelf wall unit Kai Kristiansen Danish Design 60s Object: wall unit Manufacturer: Kai Kristiansen Condit...Category
Vintage 1970s European Shelves
MaterialsMetal