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 Kjaerholm PK-54 Dining Table by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Stockholm, SE
PK-54 designed by Poul Kjaerholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Carrara Marble, Steel
$41,208
H 25.6 in Dm 55.12 in
Midcentury “PK 54” dining table by Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen, Denmark
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing dining table, model “PK 54”, by Poul Kjærholm. Large round marble table top with a tumbled surface. Square brushed steel base with a lightness that contrasts the solid top. P...
Marble, Steel
PK54 Dining Table by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
PK54 marble and steel dining table by Poul Kjærholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen. Made in Denmark, circa 1963. Materials: flint-rolled Italian marble and matte chrome-plated s...
Marble, Steel
$10,200
H 25.99 in Dm 55.12 in
PK54 Dining Table by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Antwerp, BE
The PK54 dining table, designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1963 and produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark during the 1960s, stands as one of the most distilled expressions of Danish mo...
Marble, Steel
$35,321
H 25.99 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Very rare ‘PK54’ Dining Table by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, DK 1963
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
Located in Antwerp, BE
An iconic dining table designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1963, exemplifying his pursuit of structural clarity and material honesty. The PK54 is defined by its balanced proportions and ref...
Granite, Stainless Steel
Dining Table PK-54 by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen- 1963
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Brussels, BE
Dining Table PK-54 by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen- 1963 Poul Kjaerholm (Danish, 1929–1980) was a designer known for his Modern Functionalist furniture. Born in Øster Vrå in...
Marble, Steel
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian dining table PK-54 with extensions
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian dining table PK-54 by Poul Kjaerholm for Kold Christensen. Carrara marble tabletop with a pitted surface. Good condition, with a few rare small resto...
Marble, Steel
$12,402
H 26.38 in Dm 55.12 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK-54 Dining / Entry Table by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Round Poul Kjaerholm PK-54 dining table by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s. Flint rolled Cippolino marble top and a matte chrome-plated steel base. ...
Marble, Steel
Poul Kjaerholm PK-54 Dining Table by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare dining table model PK-54 designed by Poul Kjaerholm. Produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark.
Marble, Steel
$8,250
H 26.97 in W 80.32 in D 40.16 in
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
Round coffee table with reversable formica top. E. A. Johannson & L.Pontoppidan.
By Ejvind A. Johansson
Located in København K, DK
Rare round coffee table with reversable top. Bordeaux formica or rosewood top. Designed and produced around 1960. Ejvind A. Johannson and L.Pontoppidan, Denmark.
Formica, Rosewood
Large teak desk with metal legs designed by Søborg Møbler, Denmark.
By Søborg Møbelfabrik
Located in København K, DK
Large managers desk in teak with metal legs and original teak shoes. Danish designer and Søborg Møbelfabrik around 1955 - 1960. 3 large drawers with compartments.
Metal
Loungers and stool, model VB 136 by Viggo Boesen for Nissen & Co, Denmark.
By Viggo Boesen
Located in København K, DK
A rare pair including one stool of model VB 136 lounge chairs by Viggo Boesen for E.V.A. Nissen & Co, Denmark. This bamboo chair was designed in 1936 and still has the Nissen tags on...
Bamboo
Original danish lounger by Nils and Eva Koppel
By Eva & Niels Koppel
Located in København K, DK
High back lounger in fabric with beech frame. Designed by Eva and Nils Koppel. Produced by Slagelse Møbelværk, Denmark.
Fabric, Beech
Rare and large rosewood sideboard by Ib kofod-Larsen for Brande Møbelfabrik.
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in København K, DK
Large low rosewood sideboard designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen in the early 1960s and manufactured by Brande Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Free standing model with veneered back.
Rosewood
Loveseat in oak and teak by Hvidt & Mølgaard, Denmark.
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in København K, DK
Love seat or 2 seat sofa in teak and oak with original spring cushions. Designed and produced by Hvidt and Mølgaard and France and Daverkosen, Denmark 1950.
Oak, Teak
