Danish Midcentury Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Desk, 1960s

This rare danish modern model 54 executive desk was designed by kai kristiansen for feldballes mobelfabrik in the 1960s. Executed in brazilian rosewood, this desk features a bank of four drawers with kristiansen's distinctive eyebrow shaped drawer pulls, bookshelf back, and a bar. The bar is a true master piece of danish design. A tambour door rolls open to reveal a rotating bar lined in its original starburst etched glass. The shelves and base are painted their original robins egg blue and are lined in patinated brass fittings. Above the bar is a pull-out rotating circular drawer perfect for organizing office odds and ends. With a gorgeous biomorphic shape and finished back, this desk can be floated in the middle of any room or office. Recently refinished and in excellent original condition. Kai kristiansen was one of the last pupils of the famous architect kaare klint who founded modern danish design and laid the foundation for the "danish modern" style. During the years 1958-78 kristiansen worked in his business in aarhus owned jointly by himself and furniture maker illum wikkelsø (1919-99). Kristiansens works met their most intense demand during a few decades from 1950, then production of them was discontinued. However, several of them are now being produced again by the japanese furniture producer miyazaki chair mill in tokushima. An australien producer has also included kristiansen production in their portfolio. Kai kristiansen might have been the originator of mass produced furniture, had he accepted an offer from ikea-founder ingvar kamprad. He declined to let himself enroll in the ikea staff.kristiansen exhibitions include numerous participations in furniture and design shows in milano, paris, cologne and london. Among his most cherished works is the paper knife collection, including two sofas, a coffee table and an armchair. His 4110 og handy chairs are also widely sold. In fact, the kai kristiansen name is probably better known by a selected global furni.