Kai Kristiansen Sled Leg Rosewood Desk c1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 67.72 in (172 cm)Depth: 33.47 in (85 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1333238046992
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Kai Kristiansen Rosewood OttomanBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Square Ottoman, 1950s Produced by Magnus Olesen, Denmark in solid rosewood. New foam cushion upholstered in pale wool fabric from Kvadrat, Denmark.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Rosewood
- Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Rosewood Chest, 1960sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Model 384 chest, c1960 Low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Fe...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Rosewood Chest, 1960sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Model 384 Chest, c1960 Low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Fe...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Rosewood Chest, 1960sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen. Model 384 chest, c1960. Low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen Model 394 Rosewood Chest, 1960sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Model 394 Low Chest, c1960. A low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen Model 394 Rosewood Chest, 1960sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBKai Kristiansen Model 394 Low Chest, c1960. A low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960....Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Scandinavian Modern Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen by Fm Møbler, 1960sBy FM Møbler, Kai KristiansenLocated in Asaa, DKScandinavian Modern Teak desk by Kai Kristiansen by FM Møbler 1960s Freestanding Danish Mid-Century Modern writing desk Model FM60 in teak designed by Danish architect Kai Kristians...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Vintage Desk by Kai KristiansenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in London, GBA superb Danish vintage desk by Kai Kristiansen. This was recently imported from Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully made and is a gre...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Floating Desk Fm50 by Kai KristiansenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in San Marcos, CAHere is a sought after Scandinavian Modern executive floating desk Model FM60 in rosewood designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Feldb...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- 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
- Teak Desk Model70 by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballe MobelfabrikBy Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Little Burstead, EssexAn excellent example of this desk from Kai Kristiansen, produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960'sCategory
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Mid Century Danish Teak Desk by Kai KristiansenBy Kai KristiansenLocated in San Marcos, CAHere is an extremely rare desk by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler Denmark. This is a smaller version of his famous FM60 desk. Desk features 1 large drawer on the left side with a pullo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak