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.
$6,200 / item
H 17.5 in W 22 in D 17.75 in
First Edition PK91 Folding Stools by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Chicago, IL
The First Edition PK91 Folding Stools, designed by Poul Kjærholm and produced by E. Kold Christensen, embody the purity of Danish modernism. Kjærholm, known for his minimalist aesthe...
Chrome
Poul Kjærholm PK-91 Stool by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare foldable stool model PK-91 designed by Poul Kjærholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Steel
$9,800
H 15.5 in W 23.25 in D 17.75 in
Steel and Leather "PK91" Stool by Poul Kjaerholm, Denmark, c. 1960
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in New York City, NY
This stool was designed by Poul Kjaerholm and inspired by ancient Egyptian design. In 1921, Scandinavian designers became fixated on Egyptian aesthetics and form language following t...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK91 Folding Stool by E. Kold Christensen
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Highland, IN
Kjaerholm's 1961 masterpiece, the PK91 stool made by E. Kold Christensen is the perfect distillation of his aesthetic. A minimalist form combining matte ch...
Steel
$4,402
H 15.36 in W 23.23 in D 17.72 in
Folding stool PK91 by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, 1960s Denmark.
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Folding stool PK91 by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, 1960s Denmark. Designed in 1961, the PK91 folding stool is a refined example of Danish modern design at its most understated. De...
Stainless Steel
$6,900
H 15.25 in W 23.5 in D 17.75 in
Poul Kjaerholm, Stool, Steel, Leather, E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1961
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in High Point, NC
A chrome-plated steel and leather foldable stool designed by Poul Kjærholm and produced by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1961. Makers mark impressed to frame. All items ship from ...
Steel
Three Folding Stools by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch
Located in San Francisco, CA
A trio of folding stools, designed by Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen in 1932. Lightly restored frames with new brass hardware and new natural colored canvas seats.
Canvas, Beech
$3,169 / set
H 11.42 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK71 Nesting Tables for E. Kold Christensen – Denmark, 1950-60
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Early set of E. Kold Christensen PK 71 nesting tables PK71 Nesting Tables by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1957 A minimalist masterpiece, the PK71 nesting tables b...
Stainless Steel
$6,000Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 16 in W 60 in D 24 in
Rare aluminum and suede danish Stool and table set by Jørgen Høj
By Niels Vitsoe, Poul Kjærholm, Jorgen Hoj
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare minimalist aluminum and suede danish Stool and table set by Jørgen Høj. Set of 2 suede Stools & 1 glass Side Table with Aluminium frames by Jørgen Høj circa 1960. Material: Alum...
Aluminum
$4,109 / set
H 11.42 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK71 Nesting Tables for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1957
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful set of PK71 nesting tables in very good condition Designed by Poul Kjaerholm in 1957. These particular tables are manufactured by E. Kold Christensen and are marked ‘Den...
Metal, Steel
Pair of Early Leather Fabricius and Kastholm 'Scimitar' Chairs
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautiful and rare pair Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm 'Scimitar' lounge chairs with stainless steel frames and original black leather upholstery. Designed in 1962 with inspirati...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Hans Wegner Lounge Chairs for Johannes Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Very rare and well-constructed pair of Wegner Model JH 812 lounge chairs in chrome-plated steel with original saddle leather, circa 1970. Documented in Hans J. Wegner's 100 Chairs...
Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK 31/2 Settee
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautifully patinated brown two-seat PK 31 settee designed by Poul Kjaerholm and Manufactured by E. Kold Christensen. Stamped to frame.
Steel
Pair of Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen Chairs for Willy Beck, 1951
By Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Pair of teak and leather occasional chairs by Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen for Willy Beck. Replaced cream colored leather. Chairs bei...
Leather, Teak
Thorald Madsens Nesting Tables
By Thorald Madsens Snedkeri
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Set of 3 teak and rosewood nesting tables manufactured by Thoralds Madsens of Denmark. Finely detailed and nicely constructed. Signed with plaque to bottom.
Teak, Rosewood
Pair of Bruno Mathsson Side Tables
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Pair of side tables designed by Bruno Mathsson and manufactured by Firm Karl Mathsson. Tops with highly figured burled birch veneer. Signed to bottom of tables.
Birch
