Poul Kjærholm sofa

This is a three-seater sofa, model PK-31/3, designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1958 and produced by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark. It is a highly regarded piece within Kjærholm’s oeuvre, representing his pursuit of balance between minimalism, material honesty, and comfort. The PK-31 series was conceived as a modular system where one-seater, two-seater, and three-seater variations could coexist, each maintaining the same proportions and design logic.

The sofa features a frame of flat steel with a brushed finish, a hallmark of Kjærholm’s preference for industrial materials combined with artisanal precision. The use of flat steel rather than tubular steel emphasizes clarity of line and geometric purity, giving the sofa its architectural presence. The cushions are upholstered in natural leather, here in a warm cognac tone, which has developed a rich patina over time. The leather shows natural signs of use, with one seat cushion displaying heavier wear and areas of dryness, a condition consistent with age and use.

Poul Kjærholm (1929–1980) was a Danish designer celebrated for merging modernist principles with traditional craftsmanship. Unlike many of his contemporaries who primarily used wood, Kjærholm chose steel as his material of choice, which he treated with the same respect for natural character as others afforded timber. His designs, produced mainly by E. Kold Christensen and later Fritz Hansen, are today considered icons of mid-20th century Scandinavian modernism.

The PK-31/3 exemplifies the modernist ideal of furniture as functional sculpture, with a structure that defines space without unnecessary ornamentation. Its low, horizontal profile and sharp lines are softened by the deep leather cushions, creating a synthesis of industrial precision and tactile comfort.

The sofa measures 200 cm in width, 75 cm in depth, and 71 cm in height, with a seat height of 39 cm. In inches, this corresponds to 78.7 inches wide, 29.5 inches deep, 28 inches high, and a seat height of 15.3 inches.