Kaare Klint dining chairs

This very rare set of twelve chairs—ten side chairs and two armchairs—known as “The Red Chair” was designed by Kaare Klint and produced by Rud. Rasmussen cabinetmakers in Denmark during the 1930s. As one of the most iconic works in Danish design history, The Red Chair embodies Klint’s foundational role in the emergence of modern Danish furniture and his enduring philosophy of rational, human-centered design fused with impeccable craftsmanship.

Kaare Klint designed The Red Chair in 1927 as part of an extensive commission for the Danish Museum of Art & Design’s lecture hall in Copenhagen. The project was a comprehensive interior design effort in which Klint sought to unify space, furniture, and function. Originally specified in red leather—hence the name—the chair reflected Klint’s methodical reinterpretation of 18th-century English Chippendale forms. Drawing upon classical furniture proportions, Klint applied rigorous anthropometric measurements to develop a seating form that was timeless, harmonious, and ergonomically considered.

This set, produced in the 1930s, maintains the original proportions and integrity of the design while utilizing alternate upholstery—horsehair fabric—instead of red leather. This variant retains the chair’s refined character while adapting the material palette to different settings and stylistic contexts.

Each chair in the set is crafted from solid Cuban mahogany, a dense, high-quality hardwood renowned for its rich tone, fine grain, and dimensional stability. The wood has developed a beautiful, even patina over time, accentuating the depth and luster of the mahogany. The chair frames are executed with exceptional joinery and balance, consistent with the standards of Rud. Rasmussen, one of Denmark’s most prestigious cabinetmaking workshops, known for their close collaborations with Klint and other leading architects.

The design features a gently curved backrest that follows the contours of the body, providing understated ergonomic support. Reinforced stretchers add both structural stability and aesthetic rhythm to the lower frame. Upholstered in horsehair fabric, the seats and backs are finished with a linear arrangement of closely spaced brass tacks, which follow the profile of the upholstery and introduce a refined decorative element while serving a practical fastening function.

One of the two armchairs is upholstered in a different fabric, though it can be reupholstered to match the rest of the set in traditional horsehair. All pieces exhibit subtle signs of wear appropriate to their age, but the craftsmanship and materials remain well-preserved, retaining their structural soundness and visual clarity.

Each chair is thoughtfully proportioned for both aesthetic harmony and comfort, in line with Klint’s anthropometric studies. The set is ideally suited for formal dining arrangements or as a historically significant installation in museum, institutional, or high-end residential settings. The inclusion of two armchairs further enhances the set’s flexibility and architectural symmetry when placed at the heads of a table.

The Red Chair is not only one of Kaare Klint’s most celebrated designs but also a touchstone in the evolution of Danish modernism. Its clear articulation of structure, high-quality materials, and balance of tradition with innovation encapsulate the principles that would define Danish furniture for decades. The name, a reference to its original red leather upholstery, continues to be used as a marker of its iconic status, even when later versions adopted alternative fabrics and finishes.

This particular set—rare in its completeness, exceptional in its condition, and steeped in design heritage—offers a rare opportunity to acquire a significant piece of Danish design history, embodying the intellectual rigor and enduring elegance of Kaare Klint’s vision.