Poul Kjærholm’s one-of-a-kind PK0 chair was designed in 1952 at the very beginning of the Danish designer’s tenure at Fritz Hansen. Highlighting the immense range of his talent as a furniture designer, the curved piece is a functional sculpture and a seminal piece of modern design history. Fritz Hansen recently launched the mid-century modern design to a contemporary audience.
With just 600 pieces in circulation until now, the PK0 A is the result of Kjærholm’s continual and careful consideration for challenging the boundaries of manufacturing techniques. A somewhat atypical form for the designer, inspiration for the shape of the chair came from the sculptural works of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Jean Arp, as well as the Japanese and American design movements of the time.
As a complement to the PK0 chair, Poul Kjærholm’s PK60 table (also pictured) is a significant piece of mid-century Danish design that combines talented craftsmanship with innovation. Conceived at Fritz Hansen in 1952 together with the PK0 A chair, the company introduced the previously unreleased coffee table as part of its 150th anniversary celebration.
Revolutionizing industrial techniques and contrasting the modular designs of the era, the PK60 takes its design cues from modern art–most notably the works of Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi. The table features a transparent glass top that reveals the sculptural shape of the base, which is shaped from three interlocking pieces of black colored ash or Oregon Pine. The wood veneer base plays with the possibilities of steam bending techniques, shaping new forms into a united whole.
Contrasting the familiar with the unfamiliar, the perfectly proportioned design is beautiful from every angle. Simultaneously casting shadows and reflecting the light, the functionally elegant, circular table adds a modern and sculptural expression and a sense of refinement to interior.
Learn more about Fritz Hansen's visionary collaborations by watching this video:
