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.
$2,630 / set
H 29.93 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Set of 4 Model 31 Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen in Teak, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Rødding, DK
A classic and highly coveted set of four Model 31 dining chairs, designed by the Danish modernist master Kai Kristiansen circa 1960. This set is a definitive example of Danish Modern...
Fabric, Teak
Set of four Scandinavian dining chairs by Erik Buch - 1960
By Erik Buch
Located in BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FR
Elegant set of four Scandinavian dining chairs designed by Erik Buch and crafted in solid teak during the 1960s. These iconic chairs showcase the refined organic lines characteristi...
Teak
$6,846 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in
Six Fully Restored Customizable Kai Kristiansen Teak Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Six fully restored customizable Kai Kristiansen teak dining chairs The A-frame model 31 dining chairs were designed by Kai Kristiansen in 1956 for Schou-Andersens Møbelfabrik and t...
Teak
$3,824 / set
H 29.93 in W 21.26 in D 21.66 in
Set of 4 Danish Teak Dining Chairs by Korup Stolefabrik – 1960s Mid-Century Mode
By Korup Stolefabrik
Located in Hannover, DE
Set of 4 Danish Teak Dining Chairs by Korup Stolefabrik – 1960s Mid-Century Modern Elevate your dining space with this stunning set of 4 vintage Danish dining chairs by Korup Stolefa...
Teak
$2,597 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.1 in D 18.9 in
1960s Erik Buch Set of Four Teak Dining Chairs Inc. Custom Reupholstery
By Erik Buch
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of four teak dining chairs designed by Erik Buch. The chairs are as all of Erik Buchs chairs comfortable and are in very good condition. The chairs have been restored and r...
Teak
$4,800 / set
H 39.18 in W 18.5 in D 20.75 in
Kai Kristiansen for Korup Stolefabrik Teak High Back Dining Chairs (Set of 4)
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Set of four teak dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen. Handcrafted in solid teak with refined joinery and elegantly flared ladder backs offering excellent comfort and support. N...
Teak
$3,176Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 31.75 in W 18.25 in D 18.25 in
Set of 4 Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Møbler Teak Dining Chairs, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, K.S. Mobler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and refined set of four Danish Modern dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Møbler, Denmark, circa 1960s. These beautifully proportioned chairs exemplify the ...
Papercord, Teak
$4,958 / set
H 29.14 in W 19.3 in D 19.3 in
Set of 6 Kai Kristiansen Dining Chairs in Teak – Newly Upholstered
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Rare set of six dining chairs attributed to Kai Kristiansen from the 1960s. These elegant Danish modern chairs are crafted in solid teak and feature Kristiansen’s characteristic scul...
Textile, Teak
$3,000
H 19.7 in W 31.75 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Danish Rosewood "Madsen" Dining Chairs Attributed to Aksel Bender
By Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 4 Danish Modern rosewood dining chairs attributed to Aksel Bender and made by Willy Beck in Copenhagen. These chairs have a beautiful shape. Set includes 2 armchairs and 2 si...
Upholstery, Rosewood
$3,659 / set
H 37.41 in W 18.12 in D 18.9 in
Set of 4 "Lis" teak chairs by Niels Kofoed, Denmark, 1960s
By Niels Koefoed
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
An elegant set of four "Lis" model chairs, by Niels Kofoed, crafted from solid teak, featuring the iconic design of mid-20th-century Scandinavian furniture. Their slender silhouette...
Teak
Natural Teak Chairs, Danish design, 1960s After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Danish chairs manufactured in the 1960s. The minimalist design will work great in contemporary interiors. A chair with a wider, slightly curved backrest, which increases seating com...
Teak, Fabric
A set of chairs by Kai Kristiansen from the 1960s, Denmark, model 31.
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of 4 iconic teak chairs model 31 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured in Denmark in the 1960s. Excellent condition after renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wooden el...
Walnut
Set of 4 Kai Kristiansen Model 31 Teak Dining Room Chairs, after renovation
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chorzów, PL
This pair of Model 31 chairs by renowned Danish designer Kai Kristiansen is a celebrated example of mid-century modern craftsmanship. Known for their elegant, sculptural form and exc...
Teak, Fabric
A set of chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen from the 1960s, Denmark, model 31.
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of 4 iconic teak chairs model 31 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured in Denmark in the 1960s. Excellent condition after renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wooden e...
Fabric, Teak
A set of chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen from the 1960s, Denmark, model 31.
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of 4 iconic teak chairs model 31 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Manufactured in Denmark in the 1960s. Excellent condition after renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wooden e...
Fabric, Teak
Teak chairs designed by Johannes Andersen for Uldum Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960.
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Chorzów, PL
Four teak chairs designed by Johannes Andersen for Uldum Møbelfabrik. A classic of Danish design from the 1960s. The contoured backrest provides comfortable seating. The minimalist...
Rosewood, Fabric
