Bodil Kjær desk

This very rare and historically significant freestanding desk, model 901, was designed by Danish architect and designer Bodil Kjær. It was produced by E. Pedersen & Søn in Denmark in 1959 and stands as a pivotal moment in Scandinavian design, bridging modernist architectural principles with precise furniture craftsmanship.

The desk features a substantial rectangular top crafted from richly figured wengé wood, presenting a dark brown hue with dramatic black veining. The desktop is bordered by clean right angles and chamfered edges, emphasizing the rationalist aesthetic that Kjær advocated for through her work. The front fascia of the desk incorporates four equally spaced drawers, each with a circular brass escutcheon and functional lockable key access, a subtle nod to both minimalism and practical utility.

The top is supported by a minimalist architectural base made of black lacquered metal, consisting of two rectangular sled legs connected by a central stretcher. This base design introduces visual and physical lightness, contrasting the dense materiality of the upper structure. The overall form is symmetric and monolithic, reflecting Bodil Kjær’s belief in furniture as an integral component of architectural space.

Bodil Kjær, a trained architect educated in both Denmark and the United States, was strongly influenced by modernist thought, particularly the International Style and the rationalism of figures like Mies van der Rohe. Her furniture was designed with modern office environments in mind, intended to complement contemporary architecture. The model 901 desk, as part of her “Working Table” series, gained widespread recognition in the 1960s, with features in major publications like the New York Times and The Sunday Times. The desk achieved iconic status when it appeared in early James Bond films—From Russia with Love and You Only Live Twice—and later in BBC election broadcasts, solidifying its place in the visual culture of the period.

This desk has been restored and remains in good vintage condition, showing small age-appropriate signs of use. The wood finish has been carefully preserved, the brass fittings have developed a mellow patina, and the lacquered metal base retains its even tone.

The dimensions of the desk are 184 cm in width, 92.5 cm in depth, and 72.5 cm in height (approximately 72.4 x 36.4 x 28.5 inches).