Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers by Feldballes Mbelfabrik, Denmark

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About the Item

Kai Kristiansen teak chest of drawers. With five drawers. Produced by Feldballes Feldballes Mbelfabrik, Denmark ca. 1960. Lovely detailing to handles.
In beautiful original condition with no restoration.Creator: Kai Kristiansen (Designer),Feldballes Mbelfabrik (Manufacturer)Dimensions: Height: 30.32 in (77 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)Depth: 12.6 in (32 cm)Style: Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)Materials and Techniques: TeakPlace of Origin: DenmarkPeriod: Mid-20th CenturyDate of Manufacture: 1960’sCondition: GoodWear consistent with age and use. Beautiful unrestored and original condition with minimal signs of use considering the age of the piece.Seller Location: Bern, CHReference Number: 1stDibs: LU9435242312192Shop All Kai Kristiansen

Kai Kristiansen

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 #42s 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.

Kristiansens next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 three years ahead of Dieter Ramss more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Mbelfabrik, its also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Mbelkunst 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 Mbelfabrik, 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 Kristiansens timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entr 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.