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.
Scandinavian Modern Danish Teak Extendable Dining Table
Located in Stamford, CT
Scandinavian Modernism represents a body of work that has had a tremendous impact on the furniture industry. Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian designers and manufacturers placed great i...
Teak
$1,352
H 29.14 in W 94.49 in D 35.44 in
Dining Table with Extentions in Teak of Danish Design from the 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite dining table, an epitome of Danish design from the 1960s, is crafted from teak, renowned for its rich grain and durability. Its sleek and elegant design is characteriz...
Teak
Danish Teak Extension Dining Table
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
An organic and sculptural extension dining table with brass hardware and a solid-teak frame with stretchers. The main tabletop and leafs are teak veneer and easily detach from the fr...
$1,087
H 28.75 in W 55.12 in D 35.44 in
Dining Table With Extensions Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This teak dining table from the 1960s epitomizes Danish design excellence with its blend of functionality and aesthetics. Crafted with quality teak wood, it exudes warmth and durabil...
Teak
$1,405
H 28.75 in W 55.12 in D 35.44 in
Dining Table Made In Teak With Dutch Extension, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This dining table in teak is a beautiful and functional piece of furniture in Danish design from the 1960s. The table is made of high-quality teak wood, which is known for its durabi...
Teak
$2,950
H 29.25 in W 47 in D 31.25 in
1985 Danish Teak Extension Dining Table in the Ansager Mobler Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Teak Extension Dining Table attributed to Ansager Mobler, produced in Denmark in 1985. The table features two leaves that extend the piece by 18 inches on each side, and ha...
Steel
$2,093Sale Price|39% Off
H 29.53 in W 93.31 in D 33.08 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak and Oak Extendable Scandinavian Dining Table
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This gorgeous dining table has all the style elements of Classic Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian design. It is made of teak and oakwood and looks very sleek, elegant and very well proportioned. Apart from being a feast for the eye this table is also very practical. It is extendable on both ends, enlarging the top from 133 cm (55 inch) to 237 cm (93 inch) making it large enough to seat 8 persons. The system is very well engineered. When folded away there is visually no trace of the two extendable parts. All three table tops have beautifully rounded edges really making the grain of the wood pop...
Oak, Teak
$1,050
H 29.34 in W 90.95 in D 33.86 in
Dining Table Made In Teak With Extensions, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This Danish-designed dining table from the 1960s showcases the timeless elegance and functional craftsmanship synonymous with mid-century modern style. Crafted from teak, a favored m...
Teak
Dining Table in Teak by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen.
By Willy Beck, Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table with two leaves in well patinated teak designed by Maa. Hans J. Wegner . The table is made by Willy Beck in the 1960s. Great original condition. Length is L. 130 and 240...
Teak
Jens Risom Teak Dining Table, Danish Design, Bowed Top, Good Condition
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Post-War Design teak dining table with a bowed design top and resting on square legs connected by a stretcher on either side. (label: JENS RISOM)
Teak
Small Danish square/oblong extendable teak table for dining or cards, 1960s.
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Adorable little Scandinavian dining table, ideal for small spaces. Square in shape, slightly oblong, the table opens onto a 50 cm wide folding butterfly extension. Clever and functio...
Teak
Danish extendable teak dining table, 1960, by Johannes Andersen for Uldum 1960.
By Uldum Møbelfabrik, Johannes Andersen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Scandinavian dining table with an extension leaf on one side that stores easily underneath. A clever counterweight system allows the extension leaf to be used without additional legs...
Teak
Large Danish teak coffee table with 2 side document holders, 1960.
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian coffee table. Built on two levels, it features a document and magazine storage area on each side of the lower level. Simple and elegant design, beautifully crafte...
Brass
Danish dining table in solid teak and beech and brass, model AT 303/Hans Wegner.
By Andreas Tuck, Hans J. Wegner
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb iconic Scandinavian dining table, model AT-303 or Sawhorse, designed by Hans Wegner in 1955 for Andreas Tuck, Denmark. A large solid teak top is supported by a double crossed ...
Brass
Square and extendable Danish dining table, in teak, model 592, by Arne Vodder .
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Magnificent square Scandinavian teak dining table. A large tabletop with two Italian-style extensions that slide out from either side. Seats 6-8 people. A high-end piece of exquisite...
Teak
Extendable Danish teak dining table by Henning Kjaernulf for Vejle Stole 1960.
By Henning Kjærnulf, Vejle Stole & Møbelfabrik
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Stunning Scandinavian dining table. Two Italian-style extensions, discreetly stored on the sides, allow it to seat 10 people. A beautifully crafted piece with a simple yet elegant de...
Teak
