Poul Kjærholm PK-22 easy chairs

This is a rare and iconic pair of easy chairs, model PK22, designed by Danish architect and furniture designer Poul Kjærholm in the early 1950s and produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark. The chairs feature a minimalistic and structurally expressive design, with a frame crafted from matte, flat bar steel and a handwoven rattan seat and backrest that follow a continuous, cantilevered profile.

The flat steel frame is cold-bent and brushed, providing an industrial character while maintaining a refined sculptural presence. Each chair is composed of a bent steel base forming an angular sled structure that both elevates and supports the floating seat. The steel is left uncoated, allowing a natural patina to form over time, a choice Kjærholm often preferred to emphasize the authentic aging process of the material.

The rattan is tensioned across the steel frame without additional upholstery, creating a tactile surface that is both breathable and resilient. The natural rattan is a warm honey-brown tone with subtle color variations and a consistent, dense weave. The edges of the backrest are finished with a braided trim, underscoring the craftsmanship involved in the production. While the rattan surfaces show signs of age-related wear and minor localized damages, these are consistent with vintage use and do not compromise the structural stability of the chairs.

Poul Kjærholm, a prominent figure in Danish modernism, was known for integrating industrial materials into furniture design. His collaborations with E. Kold Christensen produced many of Kjærholm’s early and most collectible works. The PK22 chair, introduced in 1956, quickly became one of Kjærholm’s signature pieces. Its understated form and high level of craftsmanship earned it the Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale in 1957.

The dimensions of each chair are 63 cm wide, 63 cm deep, and 74 cm high, with a seat height of 34 cm (approximately 24.8 x 24.8 x 29.1 inches, SH: 13.4 inches). The design is a quintessential example of Scandinavian modernism—combining organic materiality with precision metalwork, and embodying a balance of comfort, elegance, and structural clarity.