Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17

Early Bodil Kjær Executive Desk, Model 901 — E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark, 1959

About the Item

Iconic freestanding executive desk designed by architect and professor Bodil Kjær. Model 901, manufactured by E. Pedersen & Søn in Denmark in 1959. Constructed of Brazilian rosewood, it features four recessed locking drawers and a chrome-plated frame. Originally called a "working table" by Kjaer, the desk was first designed in 1959 for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The minimalist design is both elegant and architectural, with clean lines and balanced proportions. The chrome frame is in good condition, with some minor rust pitting. Four original keys are included for locking the drawers. The desk is finished on the back, making it ideal for open-plan or center-room placement. This desk gained international recognition after appearing in four James Bond films: From Russia with Love, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Live and Let Die. In You Only Live Twice (1967), Bodil Kjær’s freestanding rosewood and chrome desk appears several times throughout the film. In one scene, James Bond (Sean Connery) chases a woman through a subway, only to be tricked into falling through a trapdoor. He slides down a metallic tunnel and lands in a room where he is greeted by Tiger Tanaka, casually seated behind a Bodil Kjær Model 901 Desk, who welcomes him to Japan. Later, during a tense meeting beneath a distinctive geodesic dome, delegates from the USA, USSR, and the UK debate the mysterious disappearance of their respective spacecraft. Each delegate is boldly seated behind a Bodil Kjær desk. As tensions escalate between the superpowers, the UK begins to suspect a third party—possibly based in Japan—is behind the hijackings. Beyond its cinematic legacy, this important Danish-designed desk has also been owned by H.R.H. Prince Philip and Sir Michael Caine, and was used by the BBC for election broadcasts. Today, the desk remains a timeless example of Scandinavian modernism—refined, practical, and unmistakably forward-thinking. Measurements W 72.5'' x D 36.25'' x H 28.25''
  • Creator:
    E. Pedersen & Søn (Cabinetmaker),Bodil Kjaer (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 28.25 in (71.76 cm)Width: 72.5 in (184.15 cm)Depth: 36.25 in (92.08 cm)
  • Style:
    Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Rosewood,Oiled
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1959
  • Condition:
    Lightly restored and in a excellent condition with with minor signs of age and use. Wear on left where drawer has been gliding for 50 years. Age related wear to chrome.
  • Seller Location:
    Oakland, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CH_000015271stDibs: LU950245152782

More From This Seller

View All
Minimal Danish Designed Teak Desk By Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Oakland, CA
This Minimal Danish Teak Desk, designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for Soborg Moblefabrik, circa 1960 Denmark, is constructed with a four-drawer design including pull-out...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

Four Bernhart Pedersen Danish Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Oakland, CA
Four Brazilian Rosewood dining chairs manufactured by Bernhart Pedersen & Sons, Denmark. Newly upholstery upholstered in black leather. The chairs in in excellent condition with mino...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

California Studio Black Walnut Executive Desk #1
By Jim Sweeney
Located in Oakland, CA
California studio desk handcrafted of beautifully figured black walnut, two drawers with exposed joinery on sides, raised on sculptural pedestal base with cross stretcher. Measuremen...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

California Studio Black Walnut Executive Desk #2
By Jim Sweeney
Located in Oakland, CA
California studio desk handcrafted of beautifully figured black walnut, two drawers with exposed joinery on sides, raised on pedestal base with cross stretcher. The desk has been ful...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Walnut

1950's Brazilian Rosewood Danish Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
High-quality Brazilian rosewood secretary desk, 1955, Denmark. The secretary desk is finely crafted of stunning Brazilian Rosewood with dark grains and dynamic book-matched patterns ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Teak

You May Also Like

Bodil Kjaer, Executive Writing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son, Denmark 1963
By Bodil Kjaer, E. Pedersen & Søn
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Early and rare edition of Bodil Kjaer freestanding executive desk, model 901 with chrome-plated metal frame, cassette top with four recessed drawers. Metal frame in very good condition. Four keys included. Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark. An identical desk featured in the 1960s in the New York Times and The Sunday Times. It became even more famous when it was in some of the first James Bond films: ‘From Russia with love’ & ‘You only live twice’. The desk also appeared prominently in BBC election broadcasts. Literature: Mobilia, June 1961. This freestanding desk can be used with multiple purposes, as a writing table, desk or just 'work table', as Bodil Kjaer herself called it. According to Bodil Kjaer the idea of the table is, "that it should be suitable with modern art and architecture." The table is part of a larger series of elements of architecture in 1959, with the intention to build flexible working environments. This piece shows an interesting rhythm of horizontal and vertical lines, as do most of Kjaer's designs. The front is divided into four drawers. (Can be locked with its original Keys) The back has the same in inward gap yet without the drawers, yet this aesthetic choice unites the back and front and turns it into a monumental, architectural piece. The handles are all executed with a whole in the middle for functionality. The table's rise to fame was helped by its appearance in James Bond - From Russia with Love. Bodil Kjaer (1932-) is trained as an architect and is known mostly known for her designs in noble woods combined with a modern and sleek chrome base. The most important part of her furniture design career was from 1959-1964. She is mainly recognized for her flexible office furniture, designed in the 1960s. Her design language is greatly inspired by the Modernist masters such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Her furniture has been greatly used in public buildings such as Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Young executives that Bodil Kjær encountered in her work in architecture and design in the late 1950es were open, creative and flexible in their way of working. So, she reasoned that it would be counter-productive for them to be offered traditional office...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Large Rosewood Desk and Sideboard by Bodil Kjaer for E. Pedersen & Søn, 1959
By E. Pedersen & Søn, Bodil Kjaer
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Large freestanding desk and sideboard by Bodil Kjaer, model 901, expertly crafted with fine rosewood veneer and a chrome-plated metal frame. Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn in Denmark,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Rare Complete Executive Desk Suite by Bodil Kjær, Model 901, 1959
By A. Petersen & Co., Bodil Kjaer
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
An exceptionally rare and complete Model 901 executive suite by Danish architect and designer Bodil Kjær, produced by E. Pedersen & Søn in Denmark, 1959. This set includes the large ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Bodil Kjaer Rosewood Desk with Cabinet for E. Pedersen & Son
By Bodil Kjaer, E. Pedersen & Søn, Jason Møbler
Located in New York, NY
Bodil Kjaer rosewood desk with cabinet for E. Pedersen & Son and Jason Mobler Denmark. The desk features four drawers with keys. Cabinet feat...
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

4-Drawer Bodil Kjaer Desk for E. Pedersen & Son of Denmark in Brazilian Rosewood
By Bodil Kjaer, E. Pedersen & Søn
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We present a very nice example of the 4-Drawer Bodil Kjaer Desk for E. Pedersen & Son, finished in Brazilian rosewood. The table has been freshly oiled. There are some signs of wear ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk in Rio rosewood by Bodil Kjær
By E. Pedersen & Søn, Bodil Kjaer
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Free standing desk table in Rio rosewood with four integrated drawers with a drawer on wheels. Key included. Label from manufacturer.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Recently Viewed

View All