Kai Kristiansen Model 54 Writing Desk in Teak
View Similar Items
Kai Kristiansen Model 54 Writing Desk in Teak
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Berkeley, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1353220508062
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.
- Kai Kristiansen Teak Secretary DeskBy Torring Mobelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Torring Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 35.5? wide x 17.25? deep x 44? tall Condition: In excelle...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsTeak
- Model 63 Drop Front Teak Secretary Desk by Kai KristiansenBy Tørring Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen, HNJ MøblerLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: HNJ Møbel / Tørring Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 35" wide x 17" deep x 42.5" tall Condition: I...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsTeak
- Model 64 Writing Desk in Teak by Arne Wahl IversenBy Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde MøbelfabrikLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Arne Wahl Iversen Manufacturer: Vinde Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 39.5? wide x 28? deep x 29" tall (to top of desk) 33? tall (...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Single Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chair in TeakBy Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik Era: 1958 Materials: Teak Measurements: 21.5″ wide x 20″ deep x 29″ tall Seat: 18.5″ wide x 17″ dee...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Atomic Danish Modern Writing Desk In TeakLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 49″ wide x 24″ deep x 29″ tall, Kneehole: 20" wide x 22" deep x 25.5" tall Condition...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Paul Mccobb Model 1560 Writing Desk In MapleBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: USA Designer: Paul McCobb Manufacturer: Planner Group Era: 1960s Materials: Maple Measurements: 48″ wide x 25.5″ deep x 29.25″ tall, Kneehole: 26" wide x 18" deep x 28.5" tal...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMaple
- 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 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Midcentury Inspired Writing DeskLocated in Westwood, NJThis midcentury inspired writing desk is perfect for those looking for a blend of elegance and modernity in their home office. Crafted from Prima Vera and finished in our Bistre fini...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Wr...
MaterialsWood
$1,887 / item
