Kai Kristiansen sideboards

This rare and cohesive set consists of three small sideboards, model 42, and one bureau cabinet, model 40, all designed by Danish designer Kai Kristiansen and produced by Feldballes Møbelfabrik in Denmark in 1958. The pieces are executed in rich, highly figured rosewood, showcasing the species’ deep reddish-brown coloration and characteristic black veining. Each element of the set is crafted with fine attention to material orientation and veneering, creating a visually rhythmic grain pattern across surfaces.

The cabinets rest on tapering, round legs that elevate the volume with a light, modernist expression. The sideboards feature clean, rectangular doors with sculpted solid rosewood handles, echoing the minimalist ethos of Scandinavian postwar design. The central bureau introduces variation through its horizontal tambour-like drawer fronts, seamlessly integrated into the facade and fitted with recessed pulls. These variations reflect Kristiansen’s subtle and consistent vocabulary of geometric form and intuitive utility.

Kai Kristiansen (b. 1929) trained under Kaare Klint at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and developed a design philosophy rooted in function, precision, and tactile detailing. His collaboration with Feldballes Møbelfabrik during the 1950s and 60s produced a number of refined and now highly sought-after storage and seating pieces. Feldballes was a smaller but quality-focused Danish manufacturer, known for allowing its designers considerable influence over construction techniques and aesthetics.

This ensemble has been sensitively restored and remains in good vintage condition. The surfaces have been professionally refinished to bring out the natural contrast and depth of the rosewood while preserving its original integrity. Minor signs of wear consistent with age remain visible on edges and legs, contributing to the historical patina without compromising the appearance or function.

Each unit measures 85.5 cm in width, 45 cm in depth, and 71 cm in height (33.7 x 17.7 x 28 inches). The complete set may be arranged linearly as a long credenza or used as separate functional volumes.