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Kaare Klint

Danish, 1888-1954

Architect, teacher and furniture designer Kaare Klint is among the most important figures in Scandinavian modernism. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint sought to pay homage to historical furniture styles and prized functionality as essential to designing for modern living. He established the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and his students became mid-century legends of cabinetry and furniture-making.

Klint prioritized functionalism and drew on an array of influences in his own work. Furniture experts will observe the influence of 18th-century English seating in his Red chair, while Klint’s iconic Safari chair had roots in campaign furniture. The other exemplary chairs, sofas and tables for which he is known bear the mark of Thomas Chippendale and Biedermeier furniture as well as Greek and Roman forms.

Klint's father was Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, a formidable architect of his day. The younger Klint initially followed in his father’s footsteps, studying under him as well as distinguished architect Carl Petersen. Alongside Danish architect Ivar Bentsen, he headed the renovation of the Designmuseum Denmark in Copenhagen from 1920–26 (Klint also furnished the institution as part of the project). Around the same time, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the Royal Danish Academy. The impact of his role as an instructor there cannot be overstated — he mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher.

A prominent advocate of ergonomics, Klint valued comfort and functionality over style. Painstaking research went into each piece of sophisticated yet wholly unadorned furniture he designed, as he endeavored to build structures that took into consideration human proportions and scale. And like the Shakers, Klint believed that quality craftsmanship and good materials were integral to the design of durable furniture that was free of embellishment.

The humble grace of Klint’s style characterizes legendary seating designs that continue to charm today’s legions of mid-century modern enthusiasts. His Safari chair, Faaborg chair, Ravenna armchair and Propeller stool — as well as most of the seating created by Danish modernists generally — have warmed interiors and influenced furniture designers all over the world.

Find vintage Kaare Klint furniture and other Scandinavian modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$7,320
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Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Kaare Klint
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Safari Chair
Safari Chair
Kaare Klint Propeller Stool
Kaare Klint Propeller Stool
Kaare Klint Faaborg Chair
Kaare Klint Faaborg Chair
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen Set of Four 'Red Chairs' in Original Leather
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, set of four dining chairs 'The Red Chair', model 3949, original patinated leather, mahogany, Denmark, designed 1928, manufactured 1930s. These dining ...
Category

1920s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Canvas Safari Easy Chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Belmont, MA
Canvas safari easy chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen with loose cushion.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair with ottoman
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with Vintage aniline leather. With ottoman. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather, Ash

Kaare Klint Sofa Model 5011 Original Niger Leather 1930s, Scandinavian Modern
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier - Scandinavian Modern Rare 3-seater sofa model no 5011 designed by Kaare Klint and manufactured by cabinetmaker Rud Rasmussens Snedkerier in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint

Materials

Mahogany, Leather

Kaare Klint "Church" Chair in Stained Beechwood & Papercord, Fritz Hansen, 1930s
By Kaare Klint, Fritz Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
Early example of Kaare Klints iconic "Church" chair designed in 1936 and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, Copenhagen. This beautifully worn piece retains the original papercord seat and...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Papercord, Beech

Adjustable Brass and Bakelite Wall and Table Lights 306 by Kaare Klint, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
The original Kaare Klint Wall and table lamp 306 "Kiplamp". Set of two. These unusual vintage wall & table lamps were designed by Kaare Klint for Le Klint in Denmark. First produced...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Brass

Kaare Klint Black Leather Safari Chair, 1960s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Stockholm, SE
Kaare Klint "Safari chair" in patinated black leather with original seat cushion. Designed by Kaare Klint in 1933, produced by Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark.  
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather

Kaare Klint Black Leather Safari Chair, 1960s
Kaare Klint Black Leather Safari Chair, 1960s
H 31.89 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint Armchair Model 3758a in Leather and Mahogany Rud Rasmussen Denmark
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Armchair model 3758 A in original red indian leather and mahogany base. Model designed in 1927 for the Danish Museum of Decorative Art, produced by Rud Rasmussen in the 1940’s. Signed with manufacturer’s label to underside: (Rud. Rasmussens Snedkerier). Kaare Klint is widely recognized as the father of Danish modern design. It is hard to overstate his influence. He developed an entirely new analytical approach to furniture design that his students at the Danish Academy of Art would emulate for years to come, yet was also inspired by historic designs from various cultures, modernizing and re-interpreting classic pieces for new generations. Literature: Kaare Klint, Harkær, pg. 28-30. Dansk Møbelkunst Gennem 40 Aar: 1927-1936, Jalk, pg. 169. Danish Chairs, Oda, pg. 22-23. Kaare Klint (1888-1954) is regarded as the founding father of Danish Modernim. As an architect, furniture designer and leading professor at the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Klint established the principles of modern Danish furniture by combining a profound appreciation of traditional construction techniques with a modernist emphasis on function and a rejection of ornaments. Klint’s design was always based on relentless research; he never compromised. Every piece had to fulfill its purpose, be completely clear in its construction with dimensions and proportions corresponding to the human body and display materials and craftsmanship of the highest quality. Logic, often using a mathematical system of measures, and a constructive way of thinking were the foundation of Klint’s philosophy of furniture design. Like many of his contemporaries, counting Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, he advocated standardization and functional requirements and dismissed the use of all ornamentation. But Klint realized his vision in wood and leather, using traditional craftsmen and working methods and often finding inspiration in historical models. In this way, he charted the course for an alternative Nordic Functionalism that idealized the workshop and the collaboration between furniture architects and cabinetmakers as opposed to the factory. Kaare Klint’s first major work was a collaboration with his mentor, the architect Carl Petersen. In 1914 they were commissioned to design furniture and fixtures for Faaborg Art Museum. One of the highlights to emerge from this commission was the Faaborg chair, a light and elegant chair with clear references to classical furniture. The construction and proportions of an 18th century English Chippendale...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

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Creators Similar to Kaare Klint

More Kaare Klint Designs
Safari Chair
Safari Chair
Average Price
$3,108
Number Available
31
Safari Chair
By Kaare Klint
Materials
Wood, Animal Skin, Leather, Ash, Hardwood, Fabric
Styles
Scandinavian Modern
The Safari chair, created by legendary Danish designer Kaare Klint (1888–1954) in 1933, has roots in one of the earliest known examples of do-it-yourself furniture. Specific accounts vary, but Klint was inspired by an image of a Roorkhee chair (perhaps spotted in a travel guide) being used on an African safari. Named for the headquarters of the Indian Army Corps of Engineers in Roorkhee, a city in Northern India, the Roorkhee chair was a military campaign chair that was popular with British o...
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Kaare Klint Propeller Stool
Kaare Klint Propeller Stool
Average Price
$8,504
Number Available
3
Kaare Klint Propeller Stool
By Kaare Klint
Materials
Wood, Ash, Hardwood, Animal Skin, Cane, Canvas, Fabric, Leather, Mahogany, Natural Fiber
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern
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Kaare Klint Faaborg Chair
Kaare Klint Faaborg Chair
Average Price
$8,063
Number Available
2
Kaare Klint Faaborg Chair
By Kaare Klint
Materials
Wood, Animal Skin, Cane, Leather, Mahogany, Natural Fiber, Oak
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern
A bridge between classical furniture and functionalism that ushered in Danish modern design, the 1915 Faaborg chair was the first major work by Kaare Klint (1888–1954). The chair, which was created for Denmark’s Faaborg Museum, typified the marriage of practicality and form that would come to occupy Klint’s modernist peers. The design combined old world materials and craftsmanship with a pared-down, simple approach. Klint was tasked with producing a light chair that could be moved around by m...
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Kaare Klint furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Kaare Klint furniture 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 Kaare Klint furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 198 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Kaare Klint were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Rud Rasmussen, Peter Hvidt, and Henning Kjærnulf. Prices for Kaare Klint furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $765 and can go as high as $148,124, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,400.

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