Kai Kristiansen nesting tables
This is a rare and finely crafted nesting table set designed by Kai Kristiansen and produced by Skovmand & Andersen in Denmark during the 1960s. The set comprises three tables of gradually decreasing sizes, designed to slide seamlessly under one another. Executed in solid rosewood, the pieces display the characteristic deep reddish-brown tone and fine black veining of the species, arranged to emphasize both vertical and horizontal grain directions.
Each table is constructed with slender, tapering legs and joined by gently arched stretchers that enhance structural rigidity while maintaining a visually lightweight presence. The top surfaces are shaped with softly rounded edges and slightly beveled undersides, emphasizing the sculptural detail and careful joinery that typifies Kristiansen’s approach to functional refinement. The exposed grain across the surfaces adds depth and richness to the minimal form, with each table maintaining its own unified geometric logic while participating in the nested set.
Kai Kristiansen, known for his clarity of line and technical precision, developed a signature vocabulary of furniture that blends organic materiality with structural elegance. Trained under Kaare Klint, Kristiansen’s collaboration with Skovmand & Andersen in the 1950s and 60s resulted in numerous now-iconic designs, especially in rosewood and teak. Skovmand & Andersen were among the more detail-oriented workshops of the Danish modern era, known for their precision craftsmanship and finishing.
This nesting table set is presented in good vintage condition, with minor signs of wear typical of age. The wood has been carefully restored to preserve its original finish and integrity, showing minor surface patina and faint use marks while retaining its crisp edge detail and rich color depth. The joints remain tight, and the nesting action is smooth and aligned.
Each piece is fully functional as a standalone side or occasional table while offering compact storage as a nested group. The largest table measures 58 cm wide, 39.5 cm deep, and 48 cm high (22.8 x 15.6 x 18.9 inches).
Dimensions (cm) | W: 58 / D: 39.5 / H: 48 |
Producer | Skovmand & Andersen |
Decade | 1960s |
Country | Denmark |
Style | Danish modern, Mid Century, Scandinavian Modern |
Material | Rosewood |
Designed in | 1960s |
Item Number | 120335 |
Kai Kristiansen
Kai Kristiansen (born 1929) is a Danish furniture designer renowned for his refined, functional, and elegant modernist pieces that exemplify the Danish design movement of the mid-20th century. Trained as a cabinetmaker, he studied under the influe...
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