Fredrik A. Kayser’s light, graceful, ultra-functional chairs, credenzas and dining room tables made him one of the foremost Scandinavian modern creators of his time. An apprentice-level carpenter by trade, he had his first design mass-produced at the young age of 15, foreshadowing a glorious future in the furniture industry.
Rastad & Relling, in Oslo, gave Kayser his start in furniture design straight out of the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry (now the Oslo National Academy of the Arts) in 1945. After a failed attempt to open his own factory, the young but determined designer returned to his former employer and stayed until 1956, when he successfully exited to launch a design studio. He offered freelance design services, created pieces for furnituremaker Viken Møbelfabrikk and collaborated with Knut Sæter, of armchair manufacturer Vatne Lenestolfabrikk.
Kayser and Sæter’s furniture was efficiently made to be packed flat, shipped and assembled at its destination. Introducing this innovative design to the world at the export fair in Helsingør in 1958, the pair found it well received. The partnership between Kayser and Sæter lasted until Kayser’s untimely death a decade later.
Kayser’s mid-century modern pieces won accolades. In 1960, the iconic, streamlined Model 711 series won first prize in the Industry Council for Furniture and Furnishing Industry’s chair competition. And the Model 108 easy chair, created in 1965, won the Award for Design Excellence in 1968 and found fame at the Collection Price Furniture Fair in Oslo in 1983. Many of his pieces are still in production today, including rosewood and teak easy chairs and high-backed lounge chairs.
Find vintage Fredrik A. Kayser seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Henning Kjærnulf 'Kurul' Armchair in Oak and Rubelli Bouclé, Denmark, 1960s
By EG Kvaliteet, Henning Kjærnulf, Rubelli
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking armchair was designed by Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf in the 1960s. This particular model, named Kurul, was produced by EG Kvalitetsmøbel in Denmark. The chair bears the ma...
Fabric, Bouclé, Oak
Kurt Olsen Model 221 Armchair in Élitis Tweed Fabric, Slagelse Møbelfabrik, 1955
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Kurt Olsen, Élitis
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare and iconic armchair was designed by Kurt Olsen in 1955 and produced by Slagelse Møbelfabrik in Denmark as model no. 221. A standout piece of mid-century Danish design, it showcases Olsen’s signature sculptural lines and refined craftsmanship. Generously proportioned, the chair features a distinctive wing-shaped backrest that offers both exceptional comfort and an enveloping, supportive feel. The sharply angled back legs create a dynamic silhouette, drawing the eye forward to the elegantly curved solid oak armrests. The legs are crafted in solid teak. This chair has been professionally refinished and reupholstered. The interior upholstery has been renewed, while the exterior is in a luxurious grey tweed fabric by Élitis. The textile boasts a nuanced, multi-tonal palette—subtle flecks of ivory, grey, brown, and pale blue lend depth. Often affectionately referred to as Kurt Olsen’s “Papa Bear...
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak, Teak
Ib Kofod-Larsen 'Elizabeth' Armchair, Christensen & Larsen, Denmark, Late 1950s
By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in The Hague, NL
The iconic 'Elizabeth' chair was designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen in 1956 and was presented at the Copenhagen Cabinet-makers’ Guild Exhibition the same year. Originally known under model...
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Teak
Finn Juhl SW 96 Armchair in Teak, Oak and Cane, Søren Willadsen, Denmark, 1956
By Finn Juhl
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare armchair was designed by Finn Juhl in 1954, designated as model SW 96. It was produced by the cabinetmaker Søren Willadsen in 1956 and manufactured in very limited qua...
Wicker, Cane, Oak, Teak
Sculptural Nanna Ditzel Teak Armchair, Model 113, Kolds Savvaerk, Denmark, 1950s
By Kolds Savvaerk, Nanna Ditzel
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare armchair was designed by Nanna Ditzel and produced by Povl Kolds Savværk in the mid-1950s. The Model 113 is an important example of Danish Mid-Century Modern design, ...
Papercord, Teak
Exceptional Hans Asplund Armchair, Walnut and Leather, Nordiska Kompaniet, 1955
By Hans Asplund, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptionally rare armchair was designed by Hans Asplund around 1955. Asplund designed the chair for the beauty salon at the Nordiska Kompaniet department store on Hamngatan in Stockholm. The chair was reportedly produced solely for the salon in a few examples, please see the last 2 images of the listing to view the chairs in their original interior. Adding to the historical importance of this particular chair on offer is the fact that it comes from the private collection of Hans Asplund himself. The design is marked by the beautiful, sculptural frame, which has been entirely executed in solid walnut wood. The curved lines of the armrests, the legs and the backrest give the design a refined and elegant appearance. The seat, backrest and armrest are upholstered in brown leather. The chair is in very good, restored condition. Provenance: Architect Hans Asplund (1921-1994). Thence by descent to his son, diplomat and UN ambassador Bo Asplund (1950-2024). Thence by descent to the previous owner. Literature: Ingegerd Henschen & Stig Blomberg, "Svenskt Möbellexikon", Förlagshuset Norden AB 1961, pp. 162-163. Filippo Alison...
Leather, Walnut
1950s Chresten Findahl Brodersen Armchair in Oak, Denmark
By Chresten Findahl Brodersen
Located in Praha, CZ
-Good / very good original condition with minor signs of use.
Wood, Oak
Oak Armchair by A. Hovmand Olsen for A.R. Klingeberg & Søn, 1950s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in New York, NY
Oak Side Chair by A. Hovmand Olsen for A.R. Klingeberg & Søn, 1950s. Reupholstered in an olive mohair.
Mohair, Oak
Carl Malmsten "Stugan" Armchair for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten is one of Sweden's most famous furniture designers. Many of his furniture are considered modern design classics. His present 'Stugan' (Cottage or Cabin in Swedish) armc...
Bouclé, Wood
Scandinavian Oak Lounge "Kolding" Armchair by Erik Worts, 1960s
By Erik Worts
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
"Kolding" easy armchair by Erik Wörts for Ikea, Sweden 1962. The design of these chairs is compact and comfortable with faux leather feather filled cushions. The frame is made from ...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
Armchair in Oak by Aksel Bender Madsen for Fritz Hansen, 1960s
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Washed oak version of Aksel Bender Madsen & Ejnar Larsens model 4205 originally designed in 1955. This particular example dates from the 1960s and was manufactured by Fritz Hansen in...
Oak
Mid-Century Design Teak Armchair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Søn, Grete Jalk
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 73 x 75 x 77 cm (Width x Height x Depth) This beautiful lounge chair was designed by Grete Jalk for France and Son in the 1950s in Denmark. The elegant shape and the f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
