Danish set of 4 Kai Kristansen chairs and a table from Korup, 1960 Denmark.
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 37.41 in (95 cm)Width: 17.72 in (45 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Oostrum-Venray, NL
- Reference Number:
Chair #42
A radical, simple piece of furniture, Kai Kristiansen's (b. 1929) Chair #42 perfectly exemplifies Danish modern design’s meld of form, space and functionality.
Produced in 1956 for Danish manufacturer Schou Andersen, the functional and modest properties of Kristiansen’s minimalist dining chair are emphasized when viewed from the front. Admiring Chair #42 from the side tells a different story, however, as the focus shifts from its sharply inclined rear legs and joined armrests to a tilting, floating backrest.
The chair’s profile is dramatic and radical, and examining the frame from this perspective helps clarify why Chair #42 earned the nickname “Z Chair” over the years. Kristiansen’s elegant piece is both simple and technically difficult, its soft lines belying the expert craftsmanship therein while referencing earlier artisan furniture that influenced the Danish modern movement as well as Kristiansen himself.
Trained as a cabinetmaker, Kristiansen studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen under Kaare Klint, who is widely recognized as one of the founders of modern Danish design. The young Kristiansen established his practice soon after, focusing mostly on seating and storage for prominent Danish manufacturers such as Andersen, Fritz Hansen and Magnus Olesen. While he’s largely known for the quality of his designs, Kristiansen was equally comfortable designing chairs, desks, sideboards and wall units.
Kristiansen designed the Model 31 chair shortly after Chair #42 — a similar model, with inlaid arms — as well as the popular Paper Knife series of sofas and chairs. As a designer, he favored teak and rosewood, and garnered major renown for his dark-wood FM modular wall unit in 1957 for Feldballes Møbelfabrik. The customizable shelving system was popular throughout Europe and in the United States, and remains one of the best-known examples of modular shelving, predating Dieter Rams’s 606 Universal Shelving System for Vitsoe by several years. Many of Kristiansen’s designs fell out of production due to their manufacturing challenges, although some collections have recently been reissued by Japan’s Miyazaki Chair Factory.
The stripped-down, spare Chair #42 is one of the earliest modern ergonomic chairs, specifically designed to support the sitter. Suitable for a dining room or as a reading chair, it is Kristiansen’s best-known chair. The piece has effectively remained in production since the 1950s and is currently available from Miyazaki.
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: oirlo, Netherlands
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Kai Kristiansen Set Teak Bookends, DenmarkBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLKai Kristiansen set teak bookends Denmark Mid-century small teak bookends attributed to Kai Kristiansen, manufactured in the 1960's by Feldballe Møbelfabrik in Denmark, made of so...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookends
MaterialsMetal
- Danish Sideboard by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLDanish Sideboard by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s Special chest of drawers designed by the Dane Kai Kristiansen for the Feldballe Møbelfabrik. Vintage cabinet made of teak ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Rectangular Dining Table "Andrè" with Chairs - Design classic from the 1960sBy Tobia ScarpaLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLRectangular Dining Table "Andrè" with Chairs - Design classic from the 1960s Discover the charm of the 60s with this beautiful dining table and chair set, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina Knoll. An example of timeless design, this set adds a touch of vintage elegance to any interior. The sturdy chrome-plated metal frame, combined with a thick glass top, provides a durable and stylish dining experience. Despite some signs of use over the years, the set is in good overall condition, ready to take center stage in your dining room. Advantages: Authentic design by Tobia Scarpa from the 1960s. Sturdy and durable with a metal frame and thick glass top. Includes 4 matching chairs with comfortable fabric seats. Adds a vintage charm to any dining space. Good to know The table measures 200cm in width, 74cm in height and 100cm in depth. The chairs have a width of 45cm, a height of 80cm, a depth of 50cm and a seat height of 45cm. Some signs of use are visible, which contributes to the authentic character of this set. Resume Vintage design by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 1960s. Stylish and durable with chrome-plated metal frame and thick glass top. Includes 4 matching chairs, perfect for any dining room. This vintage dining table and chair set...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
- Dining Room Set of Table and 6 Chairs by Marc Held for IBM, Set of 7By IBMLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLBeautiful set of a dining table with 6 chairs, you can hang these chairs on the table. See the photo. This is very easy to clean. Marc Held ...Category
Vintage 1980s French Dining Room Sets
MaterialsMetal
- Set of 8 Chairs with Table by Horst Bruning Chair Model Sedia for CORBy COR, Horst BruningLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLSet of 8 chairs with table by Horst Burning Chair Model Sedia for COR. Dining table group model Sedia, German design by Horst Burning for COR. Designed in 1966. Seats upholstered in ...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsAluminum
- Dining Room Set Dining Table with Chairs by Arne Vodder by Sibast, 1960sBy Arne VodderLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLThis is a beautiful armchair in darkwood and teak designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast. This amazing armchair is made of solid darkwood with black leather on the seat and back. This beautiful chair has great seating comfort and is especially suitable as an office chair or at the table. The chair has a great look that exudes quality and design. This is model 62a. The seats have all been reupholstered with black leather and new padding. The table has 2 extra extensions that can be used very easily when there is a lot of visitors. Very nice round to oval dining table designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Mobler, Denmark 1955. This table has 2 extension leaves so it goes from 115 cm diameter round, to 170 cm wide with 1 extension leaf and to 215 cm wide with both extension leaves. The table is still in remarkable condition so we chose to keep it original. If you have a large family and do not always need a large table, this is the solution. You have a round or oval table or an extra long table...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Kai Kristiansen, Set of Six Teak, Model 31 Dining Chairs & Matching Dining TableBy Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen. A set of six teak framed, Model 31 dining chairs with curved upholstered backs and a matching rectangular teak dining table, very sleek and compact but spacious wh...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsTeak
- Kai Kristiansen Teak Nesting Side Table Set Of 3 , 1960's DenmarkBy Kai KristiansenLocated in The Hague, NLVintage Danish design set of teak side tables designed by Kai Kristiansen. Stylish and practical by design, the tables easily slide in and out and make up little space if needed. A h...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Midcentury Danish Mahogany Nesting Tables by Kai Kristiansen, Set of 3, 1960sBy Kai KristiansenLocated in Elshout, NLSet off mahogany side tables by Kai Kristiansen. Each table consists of a stained beech or oak base and a mahogany veneered top. The tops have been renewed with an acrylic protective...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Mid-Century Mimi Set of Tables or Nesting Tables, Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960By Kai KristiansenLocated in Hemiksem, VANSet of 3 mid-century side tables with refined tapered legs. These nesting tables were designed by Dane Kai Kristiansen, circa 1960. The coffee tables slide into each other, making t...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Rosewood table and chairs from the 1960s, Denmark. After renovation.Located in Chorzów, PLRosewood table and chairs model 31 by Kai Kristiansen. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and back of...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsRosewood
- Danish Rosewood Set Nesting Tables by Kai Kristiansen, 1960By Kai KristiansenLocated in Paris, FranceVintage elegant set of 3 nesting tables in rosewood designed by Kai Kristiansen from 1960 ( 1 ) L 57,5 x P 37,5 x H 45,5 ( 2 ) L 48 x P 34,5 x H 43,5 ( 3 ) L 38,5 x P 31 x H 41.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsRosewood