A trained cabinetmaker, Poul Kjærholm’s use of industrial methods and materials in the 1960s brought a fresh, graceful, sleek new style to Danish modern design.
At what is now the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Kjærholm studied under Hans Wegner and Jørn Utzon — an industrial designer and the architect of the celebrated Sydney Opera House. The latter greatly influenced Kjærholm’s furniture production techniques — although he employed natural materials such as cane and leather, to a far greater extent than his peers Kjærholm embraced the use of steel (rather than wood) framing for his chairs, daybeds and tables.
Kjærholm’s signal design was the PK22 chair of 1956, a low-slung leather lounger on a steel base. The ideas introduced in the PK22 — Kjærholm’s designs were named using a numeric system devised with his manufacturer, E. Kold Christensen — were refined throughout his career, as the offerings below show: the PK11 chair of 1957, with back and armrests formed by a semicircle of ash; the capacious, richly patinated leather seat of a vintage 1961 PK9 chair; the elegant rattan swoop of the PK 24 chaise longue (1965). The chaise longue's leather headrest, held in place by a steel counterweight, best shows Kjærholm's particular gift for combining technological advancements with a respect for traditional detailing.
While respectful of the past, Poul Kjærholm's sensibility is one of optimism and expectation. His was design for those who lived with verve and élan, and confidently anticipated the future.
Find a collection of vintage Poul Kjærholm furniture on 1stDibs.
Poul Kjaerholm PK9 Chair in Leather by Fritz Hansen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The PK9 also known as the “Tulip chair”, is made up of 3 pieces of brushed stainless steel that join to form the legs and support the leather seat. It’s unique shape was inspired by ...
Steel
$9,748
H 28.75 in W 28.35 in D 21.66 in
Office Chair in Aluminum and Leather by Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen, 1960s
By Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This very rare office chair, model 932, was designed by Jørgen Lund and Ole Larsen and produced by Bo-Ex in Denmark during the 1960s. The chair features an organically curved shell u...
Aluminum
PK 9 Tulip Chair by Poul Kjærholm
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjærholm PK 9 - 'Tulip' chair in patinated natural leather with steel frame. E. Kold Christensen.
Leather
$1,750
H 25.75 in W 28.75 in D 20.5 in
1960s Z Down Chair by Erik Magnussen for Torben Orskov in steel and leather
By Torben Orskov, Erik Magnussen
Located in Victoria, BC
This Z Down chair was designed by Erik Magnussen and produced by Torben Orskov in Denmark in 1968. The structure is formed in tubular steel, shaped into t...
Steel
$6,498
H 28.75 in W 19.69 in D 18.51 in
Office Chair in Leather and Steel by Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, 1960s
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare office chair, designed by Jørgen Kastholm and Preben Fabricius and produced by Bo-Ex in Denmark during the 1960s, is a refined expression of Danish modernist design applied...
Steel, Chrome
Office Chair in Leather and Steel by Arne Jacobsen, 1968
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
The model 3117 office chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark in 1968, represents a refined evolution of Jacobsen’s iconic Series 7 chair. This versi...
Steel
$2,954
H 33.86 in W 26.78 in D 23.63 in
JK810 Kill International leather desk chair Designed by Jorgen Kastholm
By Jørgen Kastholm, Kill International
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Rare leather executive armchair JK810 designed by Jorgen Kastholm and manufactured by German manufacturer Alfred Kill International. The fiberglass shell is laquered and upholste...
Steel, Chrome
$35,330 / set
H 29.53 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian set of 4 chairs PK-9 by Poul Kjaerholm
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian set of 4 chairs PK-9 by Poul Kjaerholm for Kold Christensen. Originbal upholstery in cognac leather. Beautiful patina Dimensions: W. 55 cm / D. 50 cm...
Steel
$5,760
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 23.63 in
Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen Office Chair Mod. 932 produced by Bo-Ex, Denmark 1965
By Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen, Boex
Located in Hellouw, NL
A striking example of Danish modern design, the Model 932 lounge chair by Jørgen Lund & Ole Larsen encapsulates functional elegance. Produced by Bo-Ex in Denmark between 1965 and...
Metal
$8,399 / item
H 30.3 in W 22.8 in D 22.8 in
Poul Kjærholm 'PK9' Dining Chair for Fritz Hansen in Aura Leather
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Kjærholm 'PK9' Dining Chair for Fritz Hansen in Aura Leather. Established in 1872, Fritz Hansen has become synonymous with legendary Danish design. Combining timeless craftsman...
Steel
Steen Eiler Rasmussen, Armchair, Metal, Oak, Denmark, 1954
By Steen Eiler Rasmussen
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and metal armchair designed by Steen Eiler Rasmussen and produced by Danbork, c. 1954. Provenance: Rungsted Skole, Denmark, completed 1954. Overall Dimensions (inches): 32....
Metal
Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Lounge Chairs, Leather, Steel, Denmark, 1960
By Ivan Schlechter, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of steel and leather "Scimitar" lounge chairs designed by Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius and produced by Ivan Schlechter, Denmark, 1960s. Seat height: 14”
Steel
Gastone Rinaldi, Armchair, Metal, Vinyl, Italy, 1960s
By Gastone Rinaldi
Located in High Point, NC
A red vinyl and metal desk chair or armchair designed by Gastone Rinaldi and produced by Rima, Italy, c. 1960s. Vintage vinyl upholstery in fair condition, ideally reupholstered. F...
Metal
Ejner Larsen & Axel Bender Madsen, Lounge Chair, Teak, Leather, Denmark, 1950s
By Ejner Larsen
Located in High Point, NC
A black leather and teak lounge chair designed by Ejner Larsen & Axel Bender Madsen and produced by Cabinetmaker Willy Beck, Copenhagen, Denmark, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with ...
Leather, Teak
Arne Jacobsen, "Egg" Lounge Chairs, Leather, Steel, Denmark, 1958
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black leather and steel "Egg" lounge chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, c. 1958. Provenance: Estate of Russ Meyer. Seat Height (inche...
Steel
Gastone Rinaldi, Armchair, Metal, Vinyl, Italy, 1960s
By Gastone Rinaldi
Located in High Point, NC
A red vinyl and metal desk chair or armchair designed by Gastone Rinaldi and produced by Rima, Italy, c. 1960s. Vinyl upholstery shows mild to moderate wear. Foot has moderate wear...
Metal
