Vintage Danish Kai Kristiansen Coffee Table in Rosewood, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Magnus Olesen (Maker),Kai Kristiansen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Width: 26.78 in (68 cm)Depth: 26.78 in (68 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Renens, CH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5599223046202
Kai Kristiansen
With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his 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.
Magnus Olesen
For the better part of the past century, Magnus Olesen has been producing sturdy and functional furnishings for the modern lifestyle. With a focus on durability and exceptional quality, the Danish manufacturer continues to uphold the traditions associated with Scandinavian modernism — its artisans adhere to standards of the highest caliber in the construction of its widely revered armchairs, lounge chairs, stools and other pieces, which are crafted in a range of rich woods such as ash, oak and teak with a prioritization on practicality and ergonomics.
Cabinetmaker Magnus Olesen founded his eponymous company in 1937 in Denmark, and since then the brand has been producing functional, elegant furniture for interiors all over the world.
The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. Some of the designers that have partnered with Magnus Olesen over the years include Kai Kristiansen — a Danish cabinetmaker known for his innovative mid-century wall units — duo Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørensen, and Ib Kofod-Larsen, who was one of the best-selling Danish furniture makers in the United States during the 1950s, a time when Scandinavia’s simple, curvilinear wooden furniture, home goods and textiles suddenly seemed the perfect foil for America’s glass-and-steel skyscrapers.
With a showroom in Copenhagen and a production facility in Durup, Magnus Olesen remains in business today. The company primarily focuses on home furnishings but also produces a range of furniture for offices, the hospitality industry and healthcare facilities.
Find vintage Magnus Olesen chairs, tables and other seating on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: La Sarraz, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Danish Design Kai Kristiansen Seating Group Model Universe, 1960sBy Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Renens, CHA rare seating arrangement designed by designer Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen in Denmark. This set has been made from Brazilian Rio Palisander and represents excellent craftsman...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Wood
- Danish Design Hans Wegner AT-15 Oak Coffee Table, 1960sBy Andreas Tuck, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Renens, CHA solid oak AT-15 coffee table designed by Hans Wegner during the 1960s for Andreas Tuck, Denmark; typical for Wegner’s work it has been carefully exe...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsOak
- “Jumbo” Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, 1960sBy Knoll, Gae AulentiLocated in Renens, CHGae Aulenti, an Italian architect active during the post-war period has designed buildings, interiors, furniture and lamps during her career, many of them well-known such as the Musé...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMarble
- No 5269 Coffee Table by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Furniture, 1960sBy Fredericia, Børge MogensenLocated in Renens, CHThis solid oak coffee table designed by Børge Mogensen during the 1960s (for Fredericia furniture, Denmark), has been carefully executed with simple lines, honest materials and is ma...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Rare gilt brass coffee table by Georges Geffroy, Circa 1960.Located in Renens, CHVery rare coffee table designed and edited by Georges Geffroy in the 1960s. Round glass top resting on a magnificent gilded metal base with four intertwined legs.Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Graphic wooden coffee table in the manner of Gianfranco FrattiniBy Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Renens, CHBeautiful wooden coffee table often attributed to Gianfranco Frattini and Pierluigi Ghianda. The design of this beautiful table is inspired by Japanese wood techniques and stands ou...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Set of Three Slate and Rosewood Coffee Tables "Universe" by Kai Kristiansen 1960By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Le Grand-Saconnex, CHSet of three slate and rosewood coffee tables "Universe" by Kai Kristiansen. The Univers-series was the last and best by far, example of the collaboration between Kai Kristiansen an...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSlate
- Kai Kristiansen coffee table in solid teak, 1960's DenmarkBy Kai Kristiansen, Magnus OlesenLocated in Esbjerg, DKKai Kristiansen sofa table in teak with turnable top. Made by Magnus Olsen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofa Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Coffee Table Made In Rosewood By Kai Kristiansen From 1960sBy Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai KristiansenLocated in Lejre, DKThis coffee table is an impressive piece of furniture art that exudes both elegance and functionality. Made of rosewood and designed by the renowned Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møb...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Mid-Century Oak Coffee Table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLMid-century oak coffee table by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard 1960s This is a square coffee table designed by Kai Kristiansen made by Aksel Kjersgaard. Beautiful table...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsOak
- Vintage Danish Rosewood Coffee Table, 1960sLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish rosewood coffee table, 1960s. Stunning and rare Danish Rosewood coffee table with very expressive grain pattern. Low and sleek design with a cubistic profile. Exquisite design and materials. The design will suit long and low sofas...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Kai Kristiansen Teak Coffee Table for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1950sBy Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai KristiansenLocated in Berlin, DEKai Kristiansen (b. 1929) is best known for his work in designing chairs, tables, and storage solutions. His designs often feature clean lines, organic shapes, and functional details...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTeak