With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his coffee tables, 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.
Danish Midcentury Modern Rosewood Chest of Drawers/Sideboard by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Small sideboard or chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Odder, made from rosewood with a dramatic veneer pattern on the top. Decorative round inset drawer handles.
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen bench and mirror rosewood Aksel Kjersgaard Denmark 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Kai Kristiansen bench and mirror for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1960. An elegant and minimalist Danish modern set, crafted in richly figured rosewood with refined proportions and bea...
Santos Rosewood
Superb Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Chest of Drawers
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful and seemly never used chest of drawers by the famous designer Kai Kristiansen, Denmark. Model # 701 Featuring four very clean drawers frame...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Bern, CH
Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers. With five drawers. Produced by Feldballes Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark ca. 1960. Lovely detailing to handles. In beautiful original conditio...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Danish Tallboy Chest of Drawers, Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 385 Chest of Drawers, circa 1960 A stunning rosewood tallboy chest, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark in the early...
Oak
Bureau by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bureau / small sideboard model 394 by danish designer Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1960s.
Walnut
Rosewood floating Nightstand/console by Arch. Kai Kristiansen, Denmark 50s, Rare
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Forest, BE
This is a elegant floating console/ nightstand. The model is extremely rare and rarely offered in rosewood. Made of the finest veneer. The drawer is made of massive rosewood and the ...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Bureau / Side Table Model 394 by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bureau / side table model 394 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark.
Oak
Danish 1960s Chest Of Drawers In Rosewood By Kai Kristiansen For Fm Mobler
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A beautiful chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler. Dimensions: Width: 86cm, Height: 75cm, Depth: 45cm Of 1960s vintage, it is veneered in florid Rio rosewood. The four...
Hardwood
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Chest by Aksel Kjersgaard No. 385 c 1960's
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in New York, NY
Rare Danish Mid Century Modern six drawer chest designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard model No. 385 Entre 3B, Made in Denmark circa 1960's. The dresser features six drawer...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Mid Century Danish Teak 4-Drawer Chest of Drawers, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
A stunning mid-century modern dresser designed by Kai Kristiansen, crafted in Denmark from rich teak wood. This elegant piece features four spacious drawers with Kristiansen’s signat...
Teak
Model 394 Chest of drawers, Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuss, NW
Wonderful chest of drawers model 394 from Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard from the 1960s. Corpus in oak veneer with four drawers and straight feet. The top is coated with off wh...
Formica, Oak
Kai Kristiansen. a Model 394 Rosewood Dresser from Aksel Kiersgaard Denmark 1960
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Paris, IDF
Kai Kristiansen (Denmark. Born 1929) Low, 4-drawer chest made from rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Features Kristiansen’s trademark circular drawer p...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Teak Dresser, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of teak and has beautiful detailed lines with his sign...
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Chest of Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s.
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Chest of Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s. Wonderful minimalistic Scandinavian four drawer dresser. Designed in the 1960s by Kai Kristian for Fel...
Rosewood
Danish 1960s Rosewood Kai Kristiansen Chest Of Drawers Feldballes Mobelfabrik
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Elegant Model 50 chest of drawers designed in the early 60’s by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik. Finished in lush Brazilian rosewood and offered in excellent condition, t...
Rosewood
Model 394 Low Chest of 4 Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a particularly good example, the Santos Rosewood ( which is not a protected species and therefore sustainable and no problem for import or export) has exceptionally nicely ma...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Model 385 Tallboy Chest, Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 385 Chest of Drawers, circa 1960 Rosewood tallboy chest, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark. Solid rosewood frame...
Oak
Small Rosewood Dresser by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design by Kai Kristiansen This stylish chest of drawers was designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of rosewood a...
Rosewood
Danish Teak Sideboard No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen Special small sideboard with four drawers No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Akel Kjersgaard, 1950s. It is cabinet no. 394 by Kai Kristiansen and made by Aksel...
Teak
1960s Chest of drawers, Kai Kristiansen
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuss, NW
Wonderful chest of drawers from Kai Kristiansen for F.M. Mobler from the 1960s. Corpus in teak veneer with four drawers and straight feet. Quality Features: accomplished design...
Teak
Scandinavian 1960s chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Brescia, IT
1960s rosewood chest of drawers with four drawers and sculptural handles, designed by Kai Kristiansen. Scandinavian chest of drawers from the 1960s designed by Kai Kristiansen for F...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen chest of drawers in rosewood Feldballes Denmark 1960
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Well-crafted chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark in the 1960s. It is a refined example of Danish modern design defined by clean lines an...
Rosewood
$2,348Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Mid-Century Danish Modern Rosewood Chest of Drawers by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This elegant chest of drawers was designed during the 1960s by Kai Kristiansen for the Danish manufactory Feldballes Møbelfabrik. It is made of high-quality, noble rosewood with rich...
Wood, Rosewood
Small Rosewood Dresser by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design by Kai Kristiansen This stylish chest of drawers was designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of rosewood...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Bureaus Model Nr 50 by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of bureaus model nr 50 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Rosewood
Danish Rosewood chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen/Feldballe Møbelfabrik 1960.
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb little Scandinavian chest of drawers. Four large drawers and a light base. This piece of furniture features a sleek, elegant, and functional design. Excellent craftsmanship. L...
Rosewood
$2,824
H 23.63 in W 47.25 in D 13.39 in
Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, Bench with Chest of Drawers, Teak, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen bench with movable chest of drawers on top. Made of partly solid teak. Made by Aksel Kjersgaard 1960s.
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Teak Dresser, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of teak and has beautiful detailed lines with his sign...
Teak
Vintage 1960s Teak Tallboy Chest of Six Drawers, Denmark
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
A classic Danish tallboy chest from the 1960s, crafted in warm teak with a beautiful natural grain. The six spacious drawers are fitted with elegant curved solid teak handles that ar...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Danish Teak Chest of Drawers
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish tall dresser crafted in richly grained teak with gently curved, pattern-matched drawer fronts and recessed circular pulls. The top drawer fe...
Teak
$5,530
H 20.48 in W 46.07 in D 13.78 in
Danish Teak Sideboard No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen Special small sideboard with four drawers No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Akel Kjersgaard, 1950s. It is cabinet no. 394 by Kai Kristiansen and made by Aksel...
Teak
$323 / item
H 3.15 in W 33.67 in D 7.09 in
1960s Narrow Version Teak Shelves for Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit Feldballe Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Narrow version of 1960s teak shelves for Kai Kristiansen ´wall unit by Feldballe Møbler Additional teak shelves for Kai Kristiansens FM wall...
Teak
$647
H 6.11 in W 20.08 in D 9.06 in
Danish Floating Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s.
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Floating Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern wall mounted two tier shelf in teak. Designed by Kai Kristiansen and manuf...
Teak
$2,147
H 33.75 in W 33.75 in D 15.75 in
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik MCM Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser This dresser measures: 33.75 wide x 15.75 deep x 33.75 high We take our photos in a controlled ...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Rosewood Chest, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 384 Chest, c1960 Low, 4-drawer chest made from highly figured rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Fe...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Rosewood Nightstand, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Model 384 Rosewood Nightstand, c1950s An exquisite rosewood bedside cabinet, produced by cabinetmaker Aksel Kjaersgaard in Odder, Denmark circa 1950s. This design ...
Rosewood
Model 394 Chest of drawers, Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuss, NW
Wonderful chest of drawers model 394 from Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard from the 1960s. Corpus in oak veneer with four drawers and straight feet. The top is coated with off wh...
Formica, Oak
$4,471
H 20.48 in W 46.07 in D 14.18 in
Kai Kristiansen. a Model 394 Rosewood Dresser from Aksel Kiersgaard Denmark 1960
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Paris, IDF
Kai Kristiansen (Denmark. Born 1929) Low, 4-drawer chest made from rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Features Kristiansen’s trademark circular drawer p...
Rosewood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
Danish Rosewood chest of drawers, “Entre” model, Kai Kristiansen-Aksel Kjesgaard
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Stunning Scandinavian chest of drawers. Three drawers: two small and one large. Remarkable craftsmanship characterizes this piece, part of Kai Kristiansen's iconic series. Ideal as a...
Rosewood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 30.71 in D 15.36 in
Kai Kristiansen chest of drawers in rosewood Aksel Kjersgaard Denmark 1960
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Refined chest of drawers, model 34, designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark in the 1960s. It is a fine example of Danish modern design, where craftsma...
Rosewood
Cassettiera danese in teak – Kai Kristiansen, anni ’60
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Torino, IT
Questa piccola cassettiera danese, disegnata da Kai Kristiansen per Feldballes Møbelfabrik, è un raffinato esempio di design Mid-Century scandinavo. Realizzata in teak impiallacciato...
Teak
Sold
H 28.55 in W 22.05 in D 11.82 in
Small Chest of Drawers, Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Small chest of drawers, design Kai Kristiansen, manufactured by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s. Teak. Good vintage condition, minor patina and minor wear consistent with age ...
Teak
Sold
H 19.69 in W 25.6 in D 15.75 in
Timeless Elegance – Kai Kristiansen Mid-Century Chest of Drawers, 1960
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the world of Scandinavian design with this stunning chest of drawers by the renowned Danish designer Kai Kristiansen, crafted in the 1960s. Made from a beautifully rich, ...
Wood, Plywood
Sold
H 20.48 in W 46.07 in D 14.18 in
Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjirsgaard Dark Wood Scandinavian Sideboard Chest 1960
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian midcentury moderh design dark wood double drawer or low sideboard model 394 designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Aksel Kjersgaard Odder, manufactured stamp on the...
Wood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 12.5 in
Vintage Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Chest of Drawers / Dresser / Entry Table 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Emeryville, CA
Kai Kristiansen is a renowned Danish furniture designer celebrated for his contribution to the mid-century modern movement. Born in 1929, he began his career as a cabinetmaker and la...
Rosewood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 33.86 in D 17.72 in
1960s Danish Chest And Cabinet Set In Rosewood By Kai Kristiansen For Fm Mobler
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A beautiful chest of drawers and tambour cabinet set by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler. Of 1960s vintage, they are veneered in florid Brazilian rosewood. The four drawers and tambou...
Hardwood
Kai Kristiansen Low Drawers
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
These low teak drawers by Kai Kristiansen exemplify the designer’s signature blend of functionality, refined proportions, and sculptural detailing. Crafted from richly grained teak, ...
Teak
Sold
H 20.5 in W 23.5 in D 14 in
Teak Kai Kristiansen 384 Side Table Made by Aksel Kjersgaard -Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Southampton, NJ
Kai Kristiansen Side Table 384 made by cabinetmaker Aksel Kjersgaard. A sleek Danish design having circular recessed pulls and constructed in the finest teak with dove tail wood joints all in simple clean lines that exemplify the functional modernist style of Danish Modern mid century furniture...
Ash, Teak
Sold
H 23.63 in W 30.91 in D 15.75 in
Teak dresser n°34 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjaersgaard, Denmark ca. 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Geneva, CH
Elegant small 3 drawers dresser in teak by Kai Kristiansen produced by Aksel Kjaersgaard in Denmark ca. 1958. Very good vintage condition. Signed and numbered in the back. L 78.5 x ...
Teak
Sold
H 20.48 in W 46.07 in D 13.78 in
1960s Danish Kai Kristiansen Model 394 Oak Chest Of Drawers For Aksel Kjersgaard
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Very much considered a Danish design classic, the range of case pieces designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard are an extremely successful study in simple but graceful form....
Oak