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
$35,301
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
$12,376
H 26.38 in Dm 55.12 in
Poul Kjaerholm PK-54 Dining / Entry Table by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960s
By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm
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
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
$41,185
H 25.6 in Dm 55.12 in
Midcentury “PK 54” dining table by Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen, Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
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
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
$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
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. Perfect condition, with a few rare small re...
Marble, Steel
$37,500
H 27.5 in Dm 55 in
Poul Kjaerholm, Fritz Hansen, Marble, Maple, Steel, PK-54 Dining Table, 2011
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Stamford, CT
Poul Kjaerholm, Fritz Hansen, Danish Modern, Round Dining Table, Denmark, 2011 Pristine condition example of a 'PK-54' dining table with six 13 8/7-inch leaves; table extends to 82...
Marble, 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
Rosewood Dining Table by Kurt Ostervig
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rosewood dining table designed by Kurt Ostervig. The gatefold legs are of solid rosewood, and the table can change from a compact form to an impressive dining table that will seat eight.
Rosewood
Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen - Coffee table
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A coffee table in teak, produced and labeled by France & Daverkosen. Model #503.
Teak
Bodil Kjaer Desk
By Bodil Kjaer
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare and early Bodil Kjaer desk in wenge by E. Pederson & Sons. The desk has four drawers with a chrome and brass key. Polished chrome-plated steel frame. Signed with applied manuf...
Chrome
A "Shell" series side table by Hans J Wegner for Fritz Hansen
By Hans J. Wegner, Fritz Hansen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 'Shell' series side table by Hans J. Wegner for Fritz Hansen, featuring a laminated walnut surface mounted on tapering beech legs. Made in Denmark, the table is in original conditi...
Beech, Walnut
Handcrafted Solid Oak Dining Table by Kaspar Hamacher, Circa 2000
By Kaspar Hamacher
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handcrafted table by Belgian artist Kaspar Hamacher. Made in Germany with solid pieces of oak from naturally fallen trees. Almond & Co. is the exclusive representative for all work...
Oak
Burlwood & Brass Dining Table by Roger Bal
By Roger Bal
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rectangular Art Deco dining table with scalloped ends, crafted in burled wood with patinated brass details. Fully restored and in pristine condition.
Brass
