Black Leather Vintage Poul Kjaerholm PK22s for E. Kold Christensen 1960s

A pair of early production 1960s Vintage Danish Mid Century Poul Kjaerholm PK22 Lounge chairs in polished steel and black leather for E. Kold Christensen. The price shown is for both chairs. Originally designed in 1956 the PK22 stands out as one of Kjaerholm’s most lauded and recognised designs. The chair was an immediate commercial success and critical acclaim followed when, in 1957, the design was awarded the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale, the world's premier design fair. This award immediately elevated Kjaerholm’s status and career and he has enjoyed this position ever since. From 1982, two years after his death, all of Kjaerholm’s designs were licensed to Fritz Hansen where the PK22 is still produced to this day. However, early models were produced by Kjaerholm’s friend and manufacturing partner Ejvind Kold Christensen and are the most sought after as not just exceptional pieces of design, but also as icons of 20th Century design history. Recognised by a simple ‘EKC’ stylised square logo stamp impressed into the front cross stretcher of the frame they carry a much higher premium than the later FH production models. These particular examples both benefit from the EKC stamp as shown, and are in very good condition with just some small signs of use on the frames and leather seats as shown in the photos - given the condition it's possible the leather covers have been replaced at some time but if so these look to be the original later, Fritz Hansen covers as evidenced by the quality and thickness of the leather, the style of the grain and the bonded seam that runs down the back of the seat back. Finally, you’ll note that both chairs maintain their full complement of 5 metal retaining screws under the seat, as shown in the photographs. These small cabinet style screws hold the larger main section of the seat flap in position under the frame and are quite often missing in action, or have been fitted with the later plastic studs.