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 #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.
Restored Brazilian Rosewood Dresser by Kai Kristiansen, Danish Modern, 1958
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian rosewood five-drawer dresser designed by Kai Kristiansen. Features a minimalist design with beautifully grained Brazilian rosewood and pattern-matched drawers, raised on sq...
Rosewood
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Dresser by Kai Kristiansen, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Exquisite chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of teak and has beautiful detailed lines w...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen. a Model 394 Rosewood Dresser from Aksel Kiersgaard Denmark 1960
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Paris, IDF
Kai Kristiansen (Denmark. Born 1929) Low, 4-drawer chest made from rosewood, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark, c1960. Features Kristiansen’s trademark circular drawer p...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik MCM Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser This dresser measures: 33.75 wide x 15.75 deep x 33.75 high We take our photos in a controlled ...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Teak Dresser, 1960’s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of teak and has beautiful detailed lines with his sign...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Danish Teak Chest of Drawers
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish tall dresser crafted in richly grained teak with gently curved, pattern-matched drawer fronts and recessed circular pulls. The top drawer fe...
Teak
Small Rosewood Dresser by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design by Kai Kristiansen This stylish chest of drawers was designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of rosewood a...
Rosewood
Danish cabinet by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Danish dresser cabinet by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s Special chest of drawers designed by the Dane Kai Kristiansen for the Feldballe Møbelfabrik. Vintage cabinet made of...
Wood
Kai Kristiansen Four Drawer Chest by FM Mobler, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 1960s four drawer chest in rosewood by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, Denmark. This chest is in good vintage condition with only some very minor wear to the top in the fo...
Rosewood
Small Rosewood Dresser by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design by Kai Kristiansen This stylish chest of drawers was designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of rosewood...
Rosewood
$1,400
H 29.25 in W 36.13 in D 18 in
Danish Teak Dresser Chest of Drawers by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern dresser chest in teak designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik, circa 1960's. This unique low profile chest of drawers is perfect to use as an entryway ...
Teak
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 54 in W 49 in D 19 in
Mid century Danish modern tall wide Teak Dresser by Falster
By Falster Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish Modern tall teak dresser has 8-drawers on left. Clean inside and out - labeled Falster - Made in Denmark. Good vintage condition. Has right cabinet door with 9 dra...
Birch, Teak
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 72 in W 30 in D 18 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 8 drawer dresser by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Danish Modern Rosewood 8 drawer dresser by Arne Wahl Iversen A beautiful example of Danish design in simplicity and quality. The rosewood grain is absolutely striking an...
Wood, Rosewood
Mid Century Danish Modern Tall 9 Drawer Teak Dresser
By Nordisk Andels-Eksport
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century danish modern tall 9 drawer teak dresser by Nordisk Andels-Eksport. Very high quality construction teak dresser with 3 small top drawers and 6 lower large drawers. Very c...
Maple, Teak
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.25 in W 39.25 in D 16.75 in
Danish Modern Teak Dresser Chest of Drawers by Henning Jorgensen
By Fredericia, Henning Jørgensen
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage Danish chest of drawers in teak designed by Henning Jørgensen for Fredericia Møbelfabrik, Denmark circa 1960s. This unique low ...
Oak, Teak
$6,177
H 20.48 in W 46.26 in D 14.18 in
Danish Midcentury Modern Rosewood Chest of Drawers/Sideboard by Kai Kristiansen
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Small sideboard or chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Odder, made from rosewood with a dramatic veneer pattern on the top. Decorative round inset drawer handles.
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Oak Nightstands, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Bedside Cabinets, c1960s. A pair of patinated oak bedside cabinets, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark in the early 1960s. The design features Kristian...
Oak
Danish Modern Teak Vanity Dresser Chest of Drawers
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
Interesting midcentury Danish modern flip top chest of drawers, having a flip up top surface which opens to reveal divided storage spaces, over three de...
Teak
$5,895
H 30.25 in W 77.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Jack Cartwright Brazilian Rosewood Dresser for Founders
By Jack Cartwright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Brazilian Rosewood, Metal Handles Manufacturer: Founders ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing his...
Metal
$5,530
H 20.48 in W 46.07 in D 13.78 in
Danish Teak Sideboard No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1950s
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Breda, Netherlands
No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen Special small sideboard with four drawers No. 394 by Kai Kristiansen for Akel Kjersgaard, 1950s. It is cabinet no. 394 by Kai Kristiansen and made by Aksel...
Teak
$3,235 / set
H 22.84 in W 46.86 in D 13.39 in
Kai Kristiansen bench and mirror rosewood Aksel Kjersgaard Denmark 1960
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Kai Kristiansen bench and mirror for Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1960. An elegant and minimalist Danish modern set, crafted in richly figured rosewood with refined proportions and bea...
Santos Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Danish Oak Nightstands, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Bedside Cabinets, c1960s. A pair of patinated oak bedside cabinets, produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Odder, Denmark in the early 1960s. The design features Kristian...
Oak
Sold
H 23.63 in W 31.5 in D 14.97 in
Mid-Century Modern Dresser by Kai Kristiansen, Rosewood, Denmark, 1960
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in PARIS, FR
Design élégant et authentique du modernisme scandinave avec cette jolie commode mod 34 en palissandre du designer danois Kaï Kristiansen. Les finitions et la belle teinte du bois, lu...
Palisander
Kai Kristiansen Tall Dresser, Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in San Francisco, CA
Kai Kristiansen design tall teak dresser with seven drawers. High quality construction and materials by one of Scandinavia's most successful designer's. Featuring seven drawers in a ...
Teak
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Dresser by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century Danish / Scandinavian Modern teak dresser / chest of drawers. Designed by Kai Kristiansen. This piece is in excellent refinished condition with very f...
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Teak Dresser
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1950s. A handsome and increasingly hard to find low dresser by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik. Features teak construction with six generous dovetailed drawer...
Teak
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Kai Kristiansen Dresser
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century Danish / Scandinavian Modern teak dresser / chest of drawers. Designed by Kai Kristiansen. This piece is in excellent refinished condition with very f...
Teak
Danish Modern Rosewood Dresser By Kai Kristiansen
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite, Danish modern, rosewood dresser by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik features four drawers at 4 inches height with signature eyelid pulls and beautiful rosewood grai...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Brazilian Rosewood Chest of Drawers
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish tall dresser, finely handcrafted from Brazilian rosewood, features mitered corners and beautifully grained rosewood with pattern-matched dra...
Rosewood
Danish Sideboard by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oirlo, LI
Danish Sideboard by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s Special chest of drawers designed by the Dane Kai Kristiansen for the Feldballe Møbelfabrik. Vintage cabinet made of teak wood...
Wood
Sold
H 23.23 in W 33.47 in D 12.6 in
Small chest of drawers designed by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960´s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Exquisite small chest of drawers in luxurious rosewood, crafted to perfection by the renowned designer Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. This small chest of drawers is a timeless testam...
Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
Beautiful Danish Midcentury Chest of Drawers by Kai Kristiansen 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Introducing a Danish Design treasure by Kai Kristiansen. This stunning chest of drawers, crafted in the 1960s by Feldballes Møbelfabrik, boasts a sleek and stylish appeal. Made from ...
Wood
Kai Kristiansen Teak Chest of Drawers Dresser
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Midcentury Danish teak low dresser designed by Kai Kristiansen, 1955, Denmark. The dresser is crafted of teak with six book-matched drawers and...
Teak
Sold
H 29.73 in W 33.67 in D 16.15 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Chest of Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Rosewood chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen 1960s. Danish midcentury Modern dresser in Rosewood designed by Danish ...
Rosewood