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.
Poul Kjærholm 'PK52A' Student Desk with Drawer in Black for Carl Hansen & Son
By Poul Kjærholm, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Kjærholm 'PK52A' Student Desk with Drawer in Black for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm comm...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm "PK51" Working Desk Table in Ash Wood & Steel by E. Kold, 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and unique Danish mid century rectangular working desk table model "PK-51" in ash wood and a chrome-plated steel base by Poul Kjaerholm produced and stamped by E. Kold Christe...
Cut Steel
Poul Kjærholm 'PK52' Professor Desk in Black Oak for Carl Hansen & Son
By Poul Kjærholm, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Kjærholm 'PK52' Professor Desk in Black Oak for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitment ...
Steel
Poul Kjærholm PK55 Work / Dining Table for E. Kold Christensen, 1957
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptionally well-preserved example of the iconic PK55 work and dining table, designed by Danish architect and designer Poul Kjærholm in 1957 and manufactured by E. Kold Christen...
Steel
Danish Mid Century Wooden PK52 Desk by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen, 1950s
By Rud Rasmussen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare Danish mid century "PK52" academy desk for the School of Architecture in Copenhagen with a black lacquered steel base and matching dark wooden top and drawer with a magaz...
Steel
PK 53 - Desk in ash by Poul Kjærholm
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 53 - Desk in ash with top in patinated ash on frame in chromed steel. Stamped from manufacturer E. Kold Christensen, designed by Poul Kjærholm.
Steel
Poul Kjærholm PK52 Professor Desk Oak Oil Black Steel for Carl Hansen
By Poul Kjærholm, Carl Hansen
Located in New York, NY
The PK52 Professor Desk was designed by Poul Kjærholm for the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Versatile and slender, the desk established Kjærholm’s reputation for uniting the bes...
Steel
Poul Kjærholm 'PK52' Professor Desk in Oiled Oak for Carl Hansen & Son
By Poul Kjærholm, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Poul Kjærholm 'PK52' Professor Desk in Oiled Oak for Carl Hansen & Son The story of Danish Modern begins in 1908 when Carl Hansen opened his first workshop. His firm commitment ...
Steel
Poul Kjærholm PK52 Professor Desk Black Oak Black Steel for Carl Hansen
By Poul Kjærholm, Carl Hansen
Located in New York, NY
The PK52 Professor Desk was designed by Poul Kjærholm for the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Versatile and slender, the desk established Kjærholm’s reputation for uniting the bes...
Steel
$14,709
Rare Poul Kjaerholm Desk
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Very rare Poul Kjærholm custom-made desk from 1964. Desk top made of oakwood. Two black-varnished drawers and tubular steel legs. Stamped E.kold in few ...
Metal
Poul Kjaerholm PK71 for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A set of Poul Kjaerholm 'PK 71' nesting tables with steel frame and top of black acrylic. Designed by Kjaerholm in 1957, manufactured by E. Kold Christensen. Marked 'Denmark'...
$39,714
H 27.17 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
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
$34,419Sale Price|25% Off
H 25.4 in Dm 55.12 in
Table PK54 designed by Poul Kjaerholm manufactured by da E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Firenze, FI
Round dining table designed by Poul Kjaerholm, model PK54, produced by E. Kold Christensen (Denmark 1963). White marble top with gray veins, chrome-plated steel base with the manufac...
Marble, Steel
Bernt Petersen Danish 1950s Mahogany Desk
By Rud Rasmussen, Bernt Petersen
Located in London, England
Bernt Petersen Mahogany Writing Desk, circa 1950s An exceptional 4-drawer desk from Danish designer Bernt Petersen and made by master cabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. The legs, drawer f...
Brass
Danish Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Teak Desk, 1950s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Asymmetrical Teak Desk, 1950s. Rare and early freestanding Scandinavian Modern boomerang teak writing desk made in Denmark in the early 1950s. Asymmetrical...
Oak, Teak
$5,001
H 13 in W 32.68 in D 32.68 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table for E. Kold Christensen, 1950 Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in The Hague, NL
Kold Christensen PK61 Coffee table Minimalist and world known coffee table designed by Poul Kjærholm and manufactured by Ejvind Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1950s. Model No: PK61. This...
Stainless Steel
PK 53 desk by Poul Kjærholm
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
PK 53 - 'Professor's desk' with black angle iron frame and Oregon pine top. Designed in 1957. Poul Kjærholm / Rud. Rasmussen.
Metal
$10,500
H 27.5 in Dm 55 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK54 Dining Table with Flint-Rolled Marble Top for Fritz Hansen
By Fritz Hansen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Skokie, IL
Poul Kjaerholm PK 54 dining table with a flint-rolled Cippolino marble top and matte steel base for Fritz Hansen Denmark. As new. This top is no lo...
Marble, Steel
Poul Kjærholm, Coffee Table, Steel, Glass, Denmark, 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in High Point, NC
A steel and glass coffee table designed by Poul Kjærholm and produced by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s. Dimensions: 12.75” H x 32.75” Diameter
Steel
$3,300
H 13.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Glass Table 'PK61' Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
The "PK61" glass cocktail table, designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, is a mid-century modern masterpiece. It boasts a clear glass top elegantly supported by a brushed...
Steel
$35,890
H 13 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Occasional Table 'PK61' Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table PK61 designed by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1956. Steel and Porsgrunn marble with fossils. H: 33 cm/ 13" L: 85 cm/ 33 1/2" W: 85 cm/ 33 1/2"
Marble
$5,883
H 11.42 in W 11.42 in D 11.42 in
Poul Kjærholm PK-71 Nesting Tables by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare nesting tables model PK-71 designed by Poul Kjærholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Steel
Sold
H 27.17 in W 55.52 in D 33.47 in
Early PK 52 Desk by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen, Denmark, 1956
By Rud Rasmussen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Antwerp, BE
Admire this early PK-52 desk by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen, Denmark 1956. This desk was originally designed for the Royal Danish...
Metal
PK 52 Desk by Poul Kjærholm
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjærholm PK 52 - 'Student's Table' with top and drawer module in patinated pine on black angle iron frame. Maker RUd. Rasmussen.
Pine
Poul Kjaerholm Table Model PK51 for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Poul Kjaerholm table model PK51 with ash top, table can be used as a dining table or work desk. Stamped EKC.
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm Desk PK55 for E. Kold Christesen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm desk PK55. Executed by E. Kold Christensen. Dull chromium-plated steel with table top of Ash.
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm Professor's Desk, 1955
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm 'Professor's desk with grey lacquered metal frame and top of Oregon pine. Designed by Poul Kjaerholm for the Royal Danish Academy of Fine art in Copenhagen, 1955. ...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm Professor Desk for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm professor desk. Steel and Oregon pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen.
Steel
Sold
H 28 in W 56 in D 34 in
Very Rare and Original Writing Table PK53 by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This stunning example is in museum condition, all completely original, not perfect, but very nicely used, the Oregon Pie top has a wonderful patine, with no real digs or scratches. T...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK53 Desk for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Poul Kjaerholm PK53. Executed by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark. Oak and dull chromium-plated steel. Literature: Michael Sheridan, The Funitu...
Steel
PK-41 Table by Poul Kjaerholm Made by E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Munich, DE
Rare and minimalistic table by Poul Kjaerholm. Wooden top and matte chromed legs. Ekc stamp to every leg. Can be used for working, dining or as a desk.
Sold
H 26.97 in W 55.12 in D 33.47 in
Poul Kjaerholm Pk53 Table Work Desk Ash E. Kold Christensen, Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Berlin, DE
Poul Kjaerholm model "PK-53." Rare "small" work table, desk with base of matte chromed flat steel and top of ash. Manufactured and stamped twice by E. Kold Christensen. Perfect v...
Steel
Professor Desk by Poul Kjaerholm for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in New York, NY
Desk or writing table designed by Poul Kjaerholm for the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, in 1956, and made by Rud Rasmussen, c. 1960's. A classic piece of Danish industrial design, analogous to Prouve, with a removable (and reversible) top of Oregon pine and a base of lacquered angle steel. An uncommon vintage...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK55 Table by Ejvindt Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Utrecht, NL
Exceptionally well preserved example of iconic work / dining table model PK55 designed by Danish architect Poul Kjaerholm in 1957, manufactured by Ejvindt Kold C...
Steel