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.
Early Mid Century "B27" Round Dining Table by Marcel Breuer for Thonet, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and early mid century wooden "B27" round dining table in black stained wood with chromed tubular metal base by Marcel Breuer produced by Thonet Germany, 1930s. In good original ...
Metal
Mid Century "B27" Round Dining Table by Marcel Breuer Produced by Thonet, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early "B27" mid century round dining table in black stained wood with chromed tubular steel base by Marcel Breuer produced by Thonet, 1930s. In good original condition....
Steel
Mid Century Center Café Table in White Metal in style of Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare mid century round dining garden table in white lacquered metal in style of Mathieu Matégot. Produced in France, 1950s. In good original condition. Dimensions: H: 65 cm / 25.60...
Metal
French Mid Century White Metal Dining Table Metal attr. to Mathieu Matégot 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare French mid century round tripod dining / console table in white lacquered metal attributed to Mathieu Matégot produced in France around 1950s. In good original condition with be...
Metal
Danish Squared Ash Wooden Dining Side Table by Poul Kjaerholm & PP Møbler 1999
By Poul Kjærholm, PP Møbler
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare squared danish wooden dining table in solid ash with a sculptural legs and a decorative x-framed top. Designed by Poul Kjaerholm and produced and branded by PP Møbler in Denmark...
Ash
Mid Century Dining Set Poul Kjaerholm PK54 Table & Mira Nakashima Chairs, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen, Mira Nakashima
Located in Stockholm, SE
An assembled Mid-Century dining set including a Danish dining table designed by Poul Kjærholm and a set of American dining chairs made by Mira Nakashima. The iconic round PK54 table ...
Marble, Steel
Poul Kjaerholm, Fritz Hansen, Marble, Maple, Steel, PK-54 Dining Table, 2011
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Stamford, CT
Poul Kjaerholm, Fritz Hansen, Danish Modern, Round Dining Table, Denmark, 2011 Pristine condition example of a 'PK-54' dining table with six 13 8/7-inch leaves; table extends to 82...
Marble, Steel
Poul Kjærholm Pk 54 Dining Table With Cipollini Marble For E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Lejre, DK
Rare dining table, model PK54, designed by Poul Kjærholm and produced by E. Kold Christensen in the 1960s. The table is made with a solid round cipollini marble top, supported by a s...
Marble, Steel
Poul Kjaerholm Low PK 54 Table for Christensen, Denmark, 1963
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Brussels, BE
Poul Kjaerholm low PK 54 table for Christensen, Denmark, 1963.
Chrome
Very rare ‘PK54’ Dining Table by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, DK 1963
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Antwerp, BE
An iconic dining table designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1963, exemplifying his pursuit of structural clarity and material honesty. The PK54 is defined by its balanced proportions and ref...
Granite, Stainless Steel
Midcentury “PK 54” dining table by Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen, Denmark
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing dining table, model “PK 54”, by Poul Kjærholm. Large round marble table top with a tumbled surface. Square brushed steel base with a lightness that contrasts the solid top. P...
Marble, Steel
Poul Cadovius Round Dining Table Aluminum & Melamine
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Hanover, MA
Poul Cadovius (1911-2011) early 1960s round single pedestal dining/breakfast table with a tulip form spun aluminum round base and integrated stem supporting a satin finish white mela...
Aluminum
