Silversmith and designer Kay Bojesen became world-famous for creating wooden toys that had a soul and an impish sense of humor. With more than 2000 pieces to his name, he was one of Denmark's most prolific artisans in the 20th century. He is best known for his playful and cheerful monkeys, royal lifeguards and other wooden toys, but his repertoire of products also includes jewelry, cutlery, teapots and silver goblets. Kay Bojesen graduated as a silversmith in 1910 after completing his apprenticeship with silversmith Georg Jensen. As one of the first Danish artisans to do so, he embraced functionalism. He was among the pioneers who organized Den Permanente association – a cooperative of artists that included a shop and exhibition space, which over the decades came to represent the best in Danish and Scandinavian design. The year 1919 became the start of a New Era for Kay Bojesen. His son Otto was born and this life event sparked Kay Bojesen's imagination. In the 1930s, he started to indulge his interest in wood. He created a range of wooden toys that all lived up to his ideal that design should be round, soft and have a good feel to it. His idea was not to create lifelike copies of real animals or to be too sophisticated or focus too much on detail, but instead to create imaginative toys in designs based on a child's world where “lines need to smile”. With this basic philosophy in mind, Kay Bojesen created his beloved wooden toys that appeal to the child within us all. Kay Bojesen retained his childish curiosity till the end and left an important design heritage behind.
Kay Bojesen 'The Skier Boje' Figurine, Wood, Scandinavian Design
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
The two fresh-faced skiers were designed by Kay Bojesen towards the end of the 1940s. This happy boy skier with the red bobble hat and checked jacket is named Boje, which was the pet...
Wood
Kay Bojesen Rolling Dog Stool in Beech, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Extremely rare Toddler Trolley, gogo baby balance cart/bike or alternatively plant stand or living room sculpture or even humorous entrance hall guard dog. It was designed and made i...
Beech
Original Danish Kay Bojesen Toy Wagon "Family Trip", Colorful Beech Wood, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Kay Bojesen´s "Family Trip" is one of his most loved wooden toy designs. This set is original vintage. It consists of wagon and 4 family members: mother, father and two children. ...
Wood, Beech, Paint
Wooden Firefighters Truck by Kay Bojesen, 1960s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Kiel, SH
Fire fighters truck by Kay Bojesen painted beech 1960s.
Wood
Kay Bojesen Santa Claus Figurine, Wood, Scandinavian Modern, Vietnam
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
Kay Bojesen's original Santa from the 1940s with his sack and walking stick will become a favourite and familiar motif that will bring joy year after year when rediscovered in your b...
Wood
Mrs Santa Figurine by Kay Bojesen, Wood, Scandinavian Modern, Vietnam
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
The famous, much-loved er Kay Bojesen drew this popular Santa Claus in 1948, but poor Santa was on his own without Mrs Claus for many years. That’s all changed now that Mrs Claus has...
Wood
Christmas Ole Figurine by Kay Bojesen, FSC Wood, Scandinavian Style
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
Make Christmas even more with this cute, red-and-white Christmas Ole The figurine, made of FSC®-certified painted beech has been given makeover. 17.5-cm high.
Wood
Kay Bojesen 'The Skier Datti' Figurine, Wood, Scandinavian Design
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
Kay Bojesen designed these two happy skiers towards the end of the 1940s. The happy girl skier with the red cheeks and big smile is called Datti, which was the pet-name of Kay Bojese...
Wood
Christmas Lise Figurine by Kay Bojesen, FSC-Certified Beech
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
Make Christmas even more with this cute, red-and-white Christmas Lise. The figurine, made of FSC®-certified painted beech has been given makeover. 17.5-cm high.
Wood
Kay Bojeson Laurids Lonborg Hand Painted Stout Guardsman Figure
By Kay Bojesen, Laurids Lonborg
Located in Ferndale, MI
Kay Bojeson guardsman figure. Hand painted white red with black feet. Sold by Laurids Lonborg Denmark retains original label. Completely original condition with little to no wear.
Teak
Kay Bojesen Jointed Monkey Toy Danish Modern Teak
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Diego, CA
Kay Bojesen articulating and jointed teak monkey. Bought from the original owner who had it in the early 1960s. Nice color and patina the cords are loosely sold AS/IS.
Teak
Vintage Santa Claus Figurine Sign, Handcarved Wood, 1960s Decor
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage retro Santa Claus display figurine sign. Carved wood Handpainted. Great collectible or Holiday decor.
Wood
$4,060Sale Price|30% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in D 5.12 in
XL Vintage Teak Articulated Monkey Signed by Kay Bojesen, Denmark ca. 1952
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Geneva, CH
Rare Iconic vintage XL (largest) articulated monkey designed by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1952. Teak and limba. Articulated joints, head, arms, legs. Can be hung by hands and feet on a s...
Teak
$190
H 7.38 in W 2.75 in D 2.25 in
Danish Vintage Kay Bojesen Style Wooden Monkey - Mid Century Modern Scandinavian
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming mid-century modern wooden monkey in the style of Kay Bojesen, featuring articulated limbs connected with rope joints that allow for playful posing and movement. With its e...
Wood
$210
H 7.63 in W 2.75 in D 2.25 in
Danish Vintage Kay Bojesen Style Wooden Monkey - Mid Century Modern Scandinavian
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming mid-century modern wooden monkey in the style of Kay Bojesen, featuring articulated limbs connected with rope joints that allow for playful posing and movement. With its e...
Wood
$135 / item
H 3.5 in W 8.5 in D 2.2 in
Kay Bojesen Grey Hippo Sculpture, Wood, Scandinavian Modern, 3.5\"
By Kay Bojesen
Located in New York, NY
A charming heavyweight turns 70. With its open mouth and whimsical expression, the Hippo is a figurine you love at first sight. It’s almost too fun to be true, and it’s easy to under...
Wood
$550 / item
H 5 in W 4 in D 9 in
Vintage Original Articulated Elephant Figurine by Kay Bojesen Denmark c 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage Kay Bojesen elephant figurine in oak circa 1950s Two available and priced individually Articulating legs head and trunk Signed to undersid...
Oak
$180
H 4.5 in W 2.75 in D 1.88 in
Danish Vintage Kay Bojesen Style Wooden Monkey Mid Century Modern Scandinavian
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming mid-century modern wooden monkey in the style of Kay Bojesen, featuring articulated limbs connected with rope joints that allow for playful posing and movement. With its e...
Wood
Early Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1955
By Kay Bojesen
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Kay Bojesen Oak Elephant, Denmark, c.1960.
Oak
70th Anniversary Reworked Little Elephant By Kay Bojsen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Lejre, DK
Little Elephant reworked by Kay Bojesen, released for the 70th anniversary, is a special edition of the iconic wooden figure. Kay Bojesen began his career as a silversmith under Geor...
Wood
$7,811
H 23.63 in W 19.3 in D 4.73 in
Kay Bojesen, Vintage Early Large Monkey, teak and limba wood, stamped, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
This is a vintage early example of the largest production monkey, designed by Kay Bojesen in 1951. Constructed from teak and limba wood, the joints are articulated allowing the monk...
Teak
1960s Modernist Wood Squirrel Personal Valet Brush Style Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Scandinavian Modern Wood Squirrel Personal Valet Brush Style of Kay Bojesen Denmark 5.25 D x 7 H x 1.88 W Preowned original vintage condition S...
Wood
Vintage Teak Monkey by Kay Bojesen, 1970s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Wooden monkey designed by Kay Bojesen in 1951. Its made from solid teak and limba wood. It features articulated limbs, movable heads, arms and legs. This example was manufactured in ...
Teak
Kay Bojesen Wooden Elephant Figurine
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An original wooden elephant figurine by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, circa 1960s. The figurine consists of multiple hand carved oak pieces that form a Kinet...
Oak
12 Vintage Royal Guardsmen by Kay Bojesen from 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Krefeld, DE
A Set of 12 guardsmen, old production. All marked Kay Bojesen Copyright Denmark. 4 different types of Guardsman: 2 smaller drummers, height 20cm, the others 22 cm, 2 drummers, 3 gua...
Wood
Tivoli Guardsman Drummer
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Guard Drum Kay Bojesen. Kay Bojesen whose small shop is installed near the royal residence sees passing every day the Royal Guard. In 1940, after the entry into little Denmark, Bojesen created in support of the king, two large wooden soldiers...
Wood
Royal Guardsman Designed by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Guard Royal flagship, Danish Royal Guard with flag Kay Bojesen. Kay Bojesen whose small shop is installed near the royal residence, sees passing everyday the Royal Guard. In 1940, after the entry into little Denmark, Bojesen created in support of the king, two large wooden soldiers...
Wood
Royal Guardsman with Rifle Designed by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Royal Guard rifle, Danish Royal guard with gun. Kay Bojesen. Kay Bojesen whose small shop is installed near the royal residence, sees passing every day the Royal Guard. In 1940, after the entry into little Denmark, Bojesen created in support of the king, two large wooden soldiers...
Wood
18" Danish Articulated Teak Monkey Sculpture by Kay Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A delightfully expressive and beautifully sculpted articulated teak and limba chimpanzee. This sculpture can easily be hung from it's feet or hangs. Branded "Kay Bojesen Denmark....
Teak
Rare Vintage Kay Bojesen Toy Dog, 1934
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Atlanta, GA
An icon of modern Danish design, Bojesen achieved worldwide acclaim for his collection of wooden toys.This mahogany dachshund was first produced in 1934 and was his first articulated toy...
Mahogany