Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Danish, b. 1929
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.
to
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
61
17
79
1
39
39
79
1
75
2
8
50
2
80
38
37
24
12
75
73
71
80
79
79
242
373
346
200
181
Creator: Kai Kristiansen
Small Rosewood Dresser by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design by Kai Kristiansen This stylish chest of drawers was designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s. This cabinet is made of rosewood a...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Teak Executive Desk
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Cambridge, US
Denmark, ca. 1960s. An impressive Model FM 60 executive desk by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik. Features thoughtful old growth teak construction with six nicely sized dra...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Model 128 Wall Shelf or Console by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Rar Modell 128 Wall Shelf by Designer and Cabinet Maker Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard in Teak.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Wall System by Kai Kristiansen for FM Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in oak. Incl. one glass door cabinet and lamp. Produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik iDenmark in 1960s.
The wall unit consists of:
- 6 shelves
- 1 magazine ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Oak
Modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Danish modern modular Teak shelving system by Kai kristansen for FH Möbel , Denmark, 1960
Danish design by F.H Møbler
Design year: 1960s
Dimensions: : 25 D x 174 W x 220 H cm
...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
1960s Chest of drawers, Kai Kristiansen
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuss, NW
Wonderful chest of drawers from Kai Kristiansen for F.M. Mobler from the 1960s. Corpus in teak veneer with four drawers and straight feet.
Quality Features:
accomplished design...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Danish Rosewood chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen/Feldballe Møbelfabrik 1960.
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb little Scandinavian chest of drawers. Four large drawers and a light base. This piece of furniture features a sleek, elegant, and functional design. Excellent craftsmanship. L...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Bureaus Model Nr 50 by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of bureaus model nr 50 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
1960s Wall shelf, Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system from the 1960s in teak veneer with four shelves and two aluminium ladders veneered in teak.
Quality Features:
accomplished design: perfect proportions a...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
Small Rosewood Dresser by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design by Kai Kristiansen
This stylish chest of drawers was designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in the 1960s.
This cabinet is made of rosewood...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
Danish Mid Century Hydraulic Drinks Cabinet or Bar by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Hydraulic Bar Cart. With a turn of the key the hydraulic kicks in. First turn the key slightly to the right, push down the top, and the bar will come u...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Kai Kristiansen Oak Shelf System 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Handewitt, DE
Kai Kristiansen wall system in oak by FM Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark in 1960s.
The wall unit consists of:
- 8 shelves
- 4 wall brackets
detailed measurements:
shelves: 3x 28.0...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Kai Kristiansen Sideboard Produced by PSA Furniture in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sideboard in rosewood designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Preben Skov Andersen, PSA Furniture in Denmark.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
Kai Kristiansen Bureau / Side Table Model 394 by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bureau / side table model 394 designed by Kai Kristiansen. Produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Small Danish teak sideboard model 42 by Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Mobelfabrik.
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb small Scandinavian sideboard or bar cabinet. Two large sliding doors, known as "roller doors," made of thin wooden slats that allow the doors to retract into the cabinet. They...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik MCM Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Mid Century Danish Teak 4 Drawers Dresser
This dresser measures: 33.75 wide x 15.75 deep x 33.75 high
We take our photos in a controlled ...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Model 394 Low Chest of 4 Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a particularly good example, the Santos Rosewood ( which is not a protected species and therefore sustainable and no problem for import or export) has exceptionally nicely ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
Danish Vintage Teak Side Chest / Cabinet by Kai Kristiansen
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very useful Danish vintage teak side chest / cabinet by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler. This was made in Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s.
This is of amazing quality a...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Cassettiera danese in teak – Kai Kristiansen, anni ’60
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Torino, IT
Questa piccola cassettiera danese, disegnata da Kai Kristiansen per Feldballes Møbelfabrik, è un raffinato esempio di design Mid-Century scandinavo. Realizzata in teak impiallacciato...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Teak
Commode With Four Drawers Made In Rosewood By Kai Kristiansen From 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Chest of drawers with 4 drawers and round legs. Made of rosewood from the 1960s and designed by Kai Kristiansen. Kai Kristiansen's design is known for its focus on functionality, sim...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kai Kristiansen Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Kai Kristiansen case pieces and storage cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kai Kristiansen case pieces and storage cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original case pieces and storage cabinets by Kai Kristiansen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider case pieces and storage cabinets by Børge Mogensen, Arne Vodder, and Poul Cadovius. Prices for Kai Kristiansen case pieces and storage cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $503 and can go as high as $27,370, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,937.
Creators Similar to Kai Kristiansen
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Kai Kristiansen Furniture
Kai Kristiansen Seating
Kai Kristiansen Tables
Kai Kristiansen Mirrors
Kai Kristiansen Wall Decorations
Kai Kristiansen Dining Room Chairs
Kai Kristiansen Side Chairs
Kai Kristiansen Chairs
Kai Kristiansen Desks and Writing Tables
Kai Kristiansen Lounge Chairs
Kai Kristiansen Armchairs
Kai Kristiansen Side Tables
Kai Kristiansen Wall Mirrors