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.
Magic Puzzle Cube Danish Teak Nesting Tables Mid-century Modern
By Poul Nørreklit
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A set of six interlocking teak nesting tables with chromed steel legs expertly engineered to nest into a discreet cube end table with a small teak finger button on the top table. By Poul Norreklit for GP Farum...
Chrome, Steel
$2,200
H 16.5 in W 16.75 in D 15.75 in
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood "Cube" of Three Interlocking Nesting Tables
By Kai Kristiansen, Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik "cube" of nesting tables in rosewood. Composed of three tables two tables "slide" into the center table's side slots creating an ingeniously...
Rosewood
Danish Teak Nesting Tables Mid-Century Denmark
By Nordisk Andels-Eksport
Located in Baltimore, MD
Set of three Mid-Century Modern nesting tables by Nordisk Andels Eksport made in Denmark. Exceptionally well crafted. Undersides of the tables are channeled so that the tables hook to one another when nested, forming an attractive cube like profile. The wood grain is naturally highlighted in a teak pattern throughout, with a rich teak tone, top surface of each one, is in good condition. Stacked set of three tables for easy storage. Individual tables are in varying sizes – large, medium and small. Measurements correspond to the Largest of the Nesting Tables. Great vintage condition, retains original label on the underside: (Nordisk Andels Eksport). Modern Danish Style, Mid-Century Modern retro nesting...
Teak
$792 / set
H 20.48 in W 24.81 in D 14.18 in
Nesting Tables Model 219 Made In Teak By Johannes Andersen & Illum Wikkelsø
By CFC Silkeborg, Johannes Andersen, Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of 2 nesting tables, model 219, made of teak and designed by Johannes Andersen & Illum Wikkelsø, manufactured by CFC Silkeborg in the 1960s. The tables a...
Teak
$1,262 / set
H 19.1 in W 22.84 in D 15.95 in
Scandinavian Modern Danish Teak Nest of 3 Tables by Mobelfabrikken Toften 1960’s
By Mobelfabrikken Toften
Located in London, GB
A simple paired back Danish designed Teak Mid-Century Modern nest of 3 Tables. Professionally polished and in good condition. With fine and interesting grain pattern and simple detai...
Teak
$995
H 16.88 in W 25.88 in D 20.25 in
1960s Danish Teak Nesting Tables Set 3 Johannes Andersen Silkeborg
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1960s Teak Nesting Tables Set by Johannes Andersen for Silkeborg of Denmark. Middle Table has repair to a break to top of front right leg. Strong and tight. All top surfaces have bee...
Teak
$751Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in
Danish Teak Nesting Tables by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1960s
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Set of three vintage teak nesting tables by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold (Denmark). A beautiful example of Danish mid-century modern design, with warm teak tabletops, softly ro...
Wood, Teak
$2,942 / set
H 19.89 in W 21.66 in D 16.54 in
Teak nesting tables by Yngvar Sandström for Seffle Möbelfabrik, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngvar Sandström, Seffle Möbelfabrik
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful nesting tables designed by Yngvar Sandström for Seffle Möbelfabrik in Sweden during the 1950s. Made in massive teak with great details. Small table measurements: Depth:...
Teak
Kurt Ostervig Danish Teak Nesting Tables
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a stunning Nesting Table Set in teak by Kurt Østervig and masterfully executed by Jason Furniture in the 1960s. This set stands as a testament to Østervig's design prowess an...
Teak
$6,495 / set
H 17.75 in W 20 in D 14.5 in
Jens Quistgaard Mid Century Danish Teak Nesting Tables - Set of 3
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Quistgaard Mid Century Danish Teak Nesting Tables - Set of 3 The top table measures: 20 wide x 14.5 deep x 17.75 inches high The middle table measures: 18 wide x 14.5 deep x 14...
Teak
Danish Teak End Tables by Svend Madsen, 1960s Modern Design
By Svend Åge Madsen, Karl Lindegaard
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Exquisite pair of large Danish teak end tables by Svend Åge Madsen for Karl Lindegaard, circa 1960s. These sculptural Mid-Century Modern pieces embody the elegance and restraint of f...
Teak
Danish Teak Nightstands by Lyby Møbler, Custom Restored, 1960s
By Lyby Mobler, Poul Hundevad
Located in Chattanooga, TN
These wide Danish teak nightstands—originally produced by Lyby Møbler—have been fully reimagined as one-of-a-kind custom creations, transformed through an artisan restoration process...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Parquet Oak Side Tables with Iron X Base, 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of vintage parquet oak side tables with elegant X shaped bases. The transitional side tables are a petite stature and weight. They are perfectly at home placed beside your sofa or armchair. The beauty of these tables lies in their mobility. Because of their size, you can easily move them about. Essentially you have the functionality of portable furniture with the timeless look and craftsmanship of an heirloom piece. The oak parquet veneer accentuates the solid wood table tops...
Iron
Pair of Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Møbelfabrik Danish Teak Side Tables
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk, Ole Wanscher, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of handsome Danish teak side tables by celebrated designer, Grete Jalk. The end tables feature slatted racks beneath the main table top. The Mid-Century...
Teak
1970s Danish Modern Square Coffee Table in Solid Teak, Canada
By Dyrlund
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Premium quality vintage Danish Modern square coffee table or large side table. This piece is built like a champ! Outstanding quality, solid teak throughout. The Danish Modern coffee ...
Teak
Danish Coffee Table with Jax Iron Base, Solid Teak Parquetry, 1973
By Rolf Middelboe, Grom Lindum, Tranekær Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This massive Danish modern coffee table is not just furniture—it’s architectural art. Built atop a distinctive Jax-style iron base, five radiating spires bolt into a central column, ...
Iron
