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.
Fredrik A. Kayser Teak Vatne Lenestolfrabikk Side Tray Table, Norway, 1950s
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Rome, IT
Solid teak side table with removable tray, Norway, 1950s circa. Made and marked by VATNE Lenestolfabrikk Norway, by the designer Fredrik A. Kays...
Wood, Teak
Vintage teak adjustable Scandinavian table, dining and coffee by Frederik Kayser
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
A rare and ingenious table that can be used as a dining table or a large coffee table. A clever tubular metal mechanism allows for easy height adjustment. With its double X-shaped le...
Metal
Teak Tray Side Table, Danish Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful teak tray side table, top is removable and legs fold together. Ready for a new home.
Teak
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 56 in D 33 in
Danish Modern Teak Drop Leaf Dining Table, Scandinavian Style, 1970
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish Modern Teak Rectangle Drop Leaf folding dining Table made in Denmark. Very clean table with 2 fold down leaves ready for use. Seats 4-6 chairs...
Teak
Scandinavian Adjustable Dining Table in Cherry Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, cherry wood, Scandinavia, 1980s A size-adjustable dining table where function meets enduring quality. Designed with multiple extension leaves, it effortlessly adapts t...
Cherry
1960s Scandinavian Modern Danish Solid Teak Round Dining Table
By Eero Saarinen, Hans J. Wegner, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Very elegant 1960s round dining table Made in Denmark, unusually constructed from solid teak wood (not veneered). Quintessential Scandinavian Modern design: minimal, fine materials, highly practical, clean smooth lines, sturdy construction and timeless aesthetic. The table has a diameter of 40 in (100 cm) and a single leg, which achieves an uncluttered appearance under the table and buttressing into four feet that rise a low profile parallel to the floor. This leg form in teak bears a striking resemblance to the iconic La Fonda base by Charles Eames, which was cast in Aluminum. Table height is standard 28.5 in (72 cm). The leg and feet are also carved from beautiful solid, strait grained teak. The table has been professionally refinished in a hard wax oil which faithfully presents the original look and feel whilst providing contemporary levels of robust protection. The table has only extremely minor signs of wear considering the age and use. This timeless table shows every promise of gracing a kitchen or dining room for another 60 years, and then some. The contemporaneous cognac leather shell chairs...
Steel
$750
H 20 in W 26.5 in D 16 in
Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table A chic bronze faux bamboo table, the tray top with handles raised on a folded base. Stamped Jansen Industria, Ar...
Bronze
$1,049
H 28.15 in W 43.71 in D 33.67 in
Adjustable Scandinavian, Coffee-to-Dining Table, 1960s, Teak & Black Steel
Located in Paris, FR
A Scandinavian mid century modern adjustable table from the 1960s, designed to shift from coffee table height to a true dining table height. A warm teak top sits on a black lacquered steel structure, giving the piece a crisp architectural presence that feels both practical and quietly elegant. The lift mechanism allows the table to rise from 47 cm to 71.5 cm, transforming how it lives in a space. Low and relaxed for everyday use, then elevated when you need a proper dining surface. Collectors love this kind of design for its honesty and intelligence. No decorative excess, just proportion, material contrast, and a clever system that still feels relevant today. • Function: adjustable coffee to dining table...
Steel
French Rattan Elephant Tray Table or Drinks Table, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching woven rattan end table or drinks table with removable tray top. France, 1940s-1950s. This elephant shaped end table stand was beautifully constructed in hand braided rat...
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
$4,081
H 16.93 in W 34.65 in D 24.02 in
"Butlers tray" rosewood table by Svend Langkilde, Denmark, 1950s
By Langkilde Møbler, Svend Langkilde
Located in Hägersten, SE
Side table so called "Butlers Tray" designed by Svend Langkilde. Produced in Denmark by Langkilde Møbler during the 1950s. Made from solid and veneered rosewood with custom brass det...
Brass
$1,285
H 30 in Dm 19.13 in
Art Deco Style Tray Table on Lucite + Chrome Frame, 1950s Metal Painted Tray
By Dorothy Thorpe
Located in Round Top, TX
A tubular Lucite frame of three parts secured by chromed steel triangular hardware that supports a 1950s extra large round steel tray in its original painted finish. The tray is heav...
Chrome, Steel
$4,550
H 28.75 in W 96.07 in D 33.47 in
Scandinavian Extendable Dining Table in Oak and Teak by Yngvar Sandström
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Yngvar Sandström
Located in Dronten, NL
An elegant and highly functional extendable dining table designed by Yngvar Sandström for Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden. Crafted with a refined combination of materials, the table featu...
Oak, Teak
$2,621Sale Price|25% Off
H 29 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in
1970’s Scandinavian Modern D Scan Teak Draw Leaf Expanding Dining Table
By D-Scan
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Scandinavian Modern D Scan teak draw leaf expanding dining table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new s...
Teak
$3,371Sale Price|25% Off
H 28 in W 77.5 in D 39.5 in
Teak Scandinavian Modern Expanding Dining Table 2 Leaves Style Neils Moller
By Neils O. Möller
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage teak Scandinavian Modern expanding dining table with 2 leaves. Unmarked but style of Neils Moller for Gudme Mobelfabrik...
Teak
Fredrik Kayser “Captains” Dining Table for Gustav Bahus, 1959
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Hilversum, NL
Dining table, known as "Skipsrederbordet," designed by Fredrik Kayser and produced in Norway by Gustav Bahus in the 1950s. Crafted from teak with intricately sculpted solid teak legs...
Teak
Sold
H 71.5 in W 190 in D 97.5 in
Scandinavian Modern"Captains" Dining Table by Fredrik Kayser, Norway, 1960s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant “Captain’s” dining table by Fredrik Kayser, made from teak with brass feet. Two extra leaves stored cleverly inside the table. Cool chunky design with streamlined curves. ...
Teak
Sold
H 38.39 in W 74.81 in L 38.39 in
"Captains" Dining Table by Fredrik Kayser, Gustav Bahus, Norway, 1950s
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Hägersten, SE
Dining table model "Skipsrederbordet" designed by Fredrik Kayser. Produced in Norway by Gustav Bahus during the 1950s. Made from teak with sculpted solid teak legs ended with custom ...
Brass
Fredrik A. Kayser Teak Vatne Side Tray Table Norway
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Munich, DE
Fredrik A. Kayser (Norway) Solid teak side table with removable tray. Made and marked by VATNE Lenestolfabrikk Norway. Very nice conditions.
Wood
Fredrick Kayser for Gustav Bahus of Norway Dining Table
By Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in New York, NY
Teak Danish Modern style dining table designed by Fredrik Kayser for Gustav Bahus of Norway. This example comes with two 13.75" leaves,...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Tripod Side Table by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne
By Vatne Møbler, Fredrik A. Kayser
Located in Peabody, MA
Sturdy teak tripod end or accent table with guitar pick or wedge shaped top, made in Norway, ca. mid 1950s, by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne. The top is carved from solid teak.
Teak