After training under his cabinetmaker father and then further afield at Berlin’s Institute of Arts and Crafts Museum and in Paris, Danish furniture designer Jacob Kjær crafted classical English-inspired dining chairs, sofas and other pieces that, many decades later, are understated and elegant in any space.
Kjær returned to Copenhagen in 1926 and opened his own workshop after studying in Germany and working as a joiner in France. His collectible works have all the characteristics that are attributed to Scandinavian modernist furniture — his chairs boast gracefully sloping seat backs and arms that mirror works by designers such as Finn Juhl or Hans Wegner, while his tables and other pieces, typically crafted in teak, rosewood or mahogany, are demonstrative of the deep commitment to craftsmanship associated with likeminded artisans who hail from Nordic regions of the world.
A well-known armchair made by Kjær for use at the UN Building in New York City is the spare and sculptural FN chair. While this iconic seat was first constructed in wood and upholstered in durable leather at the designer’s studio, it was later manufactured by Christensen & Larsen and is now available from Kitani, a Japanese company that offers licensed reproductions of chairs by a range of Danish modernist designers such as Ib Kofod-Larsen, Nanna Ditzel and others.
Kjær participated in the Barcelona World Exhibition in 1929 and held leadership roles in the Arts and Crafts Committee for Export and the Danish Arts and Crafts National Association. He also chaired the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild for a period during the 1950s. An example of one of Kjær’s armchairs is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Jacob Kjær seating, side tables, coffee tables and more.
Jacob Kjaer United Nations FN Armchair
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in St. Louis, MO
Hard to find Jacob Kjaer United Nations "FN" chair with original finish and leather. Originally designed in 1948 for the UN headquarters, New York. Original leather, does show age an...
Beech
$2,050
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 21.66 in
A Dansk MID-CENTURY-MODERN Scandinavian CHAIR by KAI KRISTIANSEN, Denmark 1950
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in PARIS, FR
An astonishing, thin & elegant chair with compass legs, Modernist, Free Form, Dansk, Scandinavian, compass legs and structure in rosewood, seat in black imitation leather, rare "...
Wood
Rare Arne Hovmand-Olsen Armchair
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Vienna, AT
Extremaly rare Arne Hovmand-Olsen armchair with solid teak frame, seat and headpiece upholstered. Designed in the early 1970s. Marked. Under seat Arne Hov...
Teak
1940's Palle Suenson armchair, Danish designer
By Jacob Kjaer, Palle Suenson
Located in Sherborne, GB
This is an exquisite sculpted armchair in rosewood, designed by Danish modernist architect Palle Suenson for Jacob Kjaer, it dates from 1948. It was made in Denmark. The chair real...
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage J.L. Moller Chair.
By Neils O. Möller
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Vintage J.L. Moller Model 78 Chair. The chair are made of solid teak wood, which is known for its durability and beautiful grain patterns.
Oak
$950
H 34.5 in W 29 in D 28.5 in
Vintage Adrian Pearsall / Percival Lafer Style Chair by John Tabraham
By Kallenbach, John Tabraham
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Modern South African Chair by John Tabraham for Kallenbach Note the Joinery. detail Photos. Overall the chair needs attention as the joints are loose at this time. Glue will...
Wood
Ole Wanscher 'T' Chair for A.J. Iversen
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Ole Wanscher 'T' chair in mahogany. Executed by cabinetmaker A.J. Iversen, Denmark. Underside with manufacturer's paper label Snedkermester A.J. Iversen Kóbenhavn.
Leather, Mahogany
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Mid-Century Danish Wooden Dining Chair, 1955
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century Danish wooden dining chair in a curved organic style and functional form with a potato chip seat, standing on domed feet. (ARNE ...
Wood
$1,708
H 32.09 in W 20.48 in D 17.52 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Chair with Leather Seat, 1960s Design
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Timeless, classic and functional Danish midcentury modern dining room chair with simple lines and leather seat and leather back. Minimalist and robust silhouette with comfortably sof...
Leather, Wood
Rare Danish Armchair in the Style of Kai Kristiansen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Vienna, AT
Armchair with solid teak frame, seat and headpiece upholstered. Designed in the early 1970s. In the style of Kai Kristiansen "fire" armchair. Attributed to Hans Hovmand Olsen...
Teak
Pierre Jeanneret Stadium Lounge Chairs
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A pair or unique "Stadium" chairs by Pierre Jeanneret for the Chandigarh Project, circa 1956. These chairs are 2 of only 3 known (I have the other single if needed). They were created for lounge seating for a stadium at Punjab University in the mid to late 50's. Crafted from solid teak. These examples have some stunning characteristics in both construction and in form. Very similar to the iconic Kangaroo Lounge chair...
Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-32-A Upholstered Easy Armchair
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptional pair of authentic vintage Pierre Jeanneret upholstered easy chairs. These chairs have untouched frames in solid teak...
Teak
Pierre Jeanneret "Box" Desk Chair in Teak
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A teak armchair made for the Punjab University in Chandigarh, India, circa 1960. Model number PJ-SI-53-A This rare chair is in original as found condition. Only wax and oil have be...
Teak
Early Alvar Aalto nr. 31 Laminated Plywood Chair
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptionally early example of the cantilever chair nr.31. Also manufactured by the Huonekalu-ha Rakennustyotehdas oy , Turku Finland. Ca. 1939. This example from the original own...
Plywood
Pierre Jeanneret Low Armless Lounge Chairs 'Kangaroo'
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A really terrific pair of rare low lounge chairs in teak and Indian Sissoo wood. A true matched pair as indicated by the numbered designation on the rear of the seat-backs. In b...
Teak
Rare Bovirke armchair in fibreglass
By Steen Ejler Rasmussen, Kai Lyngfeldt Larsen
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An unusual early fibreglass chair by Kaj Lyngfeldt Larsen & Steen Ejler Rasmussen for Bovirke Denmark.
Metal
