The story behind

Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980) holds a special position in Danish furniture design. While many of his contemporaries worked with wood as the natural main material, Kjærholm took steel as his starting point and treated it with the same sensibility that master cabinetmakers had previously reserved for wood. The result was furniture with an unusual combination of industrial precision, material serenity, and architectural clarity.

Poul Kjærholm chairs show this approach in a concentrated form. From the early chairs in steel and wicker to the more sculptural and fully upholstered models, he consistently worked with proportions, balance, and construction. Several of the early models were produced by E. Kold Christensen, while others have later been continued or re-launched by manufacturers such as Fritz Hansen, PP Møbler, and Carl Hansen & Søn.

The design and materials

Kjærholm's chairs are characterized by a strict and well-balanced design language, where the construction is always clearly visible. The steel frame is not hidden but functions as an active part of the chair's expression, and the seat and back are often crafted as independent surfaces in wicker, leather, flag halyard, or upholstery. The interaction between the precise steel and the more organic materials is central to Kjærholm's furniture.

The materials vary from model to model. Some chairs appear open and light with woven seats, while others are more closed and sculptural with upholstered shells or full leather upholstery. Common to them is a clear respect for the materials' inherent character and a construction that allows the form to arise from function and precision rather than decoration.

Known models of Poul Kjærholm chairs

PK 9 – Tulip

The PK 9, also known as the Tulip Chair, was designed in 1961 and is one of the most characteristic chairs in Kjærholm's production. The chair is fully upholstered and supported by a three-legged steel frame, giving it an unusually light and almost floating expression. The form is more organic than in many of Kjærholm's other chairs, but the construction remains strict and precise. The PK 9 functions both as a dining chair and as a more striking solitary piece of furniture, where its sculptural silhouette is allowed to stand out clearly.

PK 1, PK 2, and PK 3

PK 1, PK 2, and PK 3 are closely related chairs where the basic idea is the same, while the material of the seat and back varies. PK 1 is seen with woven rattan on a frame of matte chromed steel, PK 2 with leather cord on a steel frame, and PK 3 with flag halyard on a steel or matte chromed steel frame. This variation precisely shows Kjærholm's interest in how the same constructive starting point can change character depending on the choice of materials. The chairs appear light and disciplined simple and belong to the early models produced by E. Kold Christensen, while PK 1 and PK 2 have also later been produced by PP Møbler, and PK 1 is additionally back in production at Carl Hansen & Søn.

PK 8 – Chair

The PK 8 was designed in 1978 but existed for many years only as a prototype before Fritz Hansen put the model into production in 2007. The chair is a three-legged dining chair with a base in satin-brushed anodized aluminum. The seat consists of a molded PC/ABS plastic shell, which can appear without upholstery or with front upholstery in fabric or leather. The PK 8 has a more curved and fluid design language than many of Kjærholm's earlier dining chairs but maintains the same precision in proportions and construction.

PK 15 – Chair

The PK 15 was designed in 1979 and is considered the last piece of furniture in Poul Kjærholm's design production. The model originated from ideas from the earlier PK-12 but appears in a more classic chair form. The first production took place in 1980, where the chair was manufactured by Gimla Möbelfabrik in Sweden for E. Kold Christensen. Later, the model was produced by PP Møbler, and in 2023, Fritz Hansen resumed production. The PK 15 differs from many of Kjærholm's other chairs by allowing the craftsmanship of the wood to be more prominent, including ash frames and seats in wicker or upholstery.

Restoration at KLASSIK

At KLASSIK, each Poul Kjærholm chair is individually assessed with respect for the original design and construction. The restoration is carried out with a focus on preserving the chair's materials, proportions, and details, so that the whole appears authentic and true to Kjærholm's intention.

Our workshop has been working with original Danish furniture classics since 1991 and has extensive experience with Poul Kjærholm's furniture in various models and finishes.

Sell your Poul Kjærholm chair to KLASSIK

We buy original Poul Kjærholm chairs – including PK 9, PK 1, PK 2, PK 3, PK 8, and PK 15. Send us pictures and relevant information via our contact form, and get a professional valuation based on condition, originality, and demand.

At KLASSIK, you get a serious and professional sales process with a focus on correct valuation and dialogue.

Originality, sustainability, and guarantee of authenticity

An original Poul Kjærholm chair carries its history in the patina of its materials and in the traces that come with use over time. At KLASSIK, we consider these signs to be part of the furniture's quality and lifespan. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of pieces of furniture passing through our hands, we guarantee the authenticity of all furniture in our range.

Therefore, we offer a lifetime guarantee of authenticity on all furniture purchased from us. At KLASSIK, you invest in original Danish design – with confidence.

Contact us

Since 1991, we have specialized in the purchase, sale, and restoration of original Danish furniture classics. You are always welcome to contact us or visit us at our store at Bredgade 3, 1260 Copenhagen K.

Phone: +45 33 33 90 60
Mail: support@klassik.dk

Instagram: @klassikcopenhagen