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Henning Kjærnulf (1929-2009) was a Danish designer who left his mark in mid-20th century design with his functional and elegant furniture. He studied carpentry and design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Although little is known about the designer, his work speaks for itself.

These “Razorblade” armchairs combine a strong angular structure with a rounded curved design that gives an overall feeling of strength and durability. The chairs, which take their name from the razorblade-shaped back, have wide flat arm rests on both sides supported by a solid open frame that is both functional as well as aesthetically appealing. This model is spectacular from every angle, starting from the carved legs in the front that are elongated to support the arms. The front legs are carved in a way that resemble the Baroque style, yet, Scandinavian modernism remains at the core of the design. The decoration continues with the scalloped edge at the base of the seat. The luxurious upholstered seats unite the overall look, further emphasizing the oak’s beautiful pattern and smoothness. Kjærnulf’s designs are easy to spot thanks to these unique qualities. While there are numerous forms of ornamentation on these armchairs, the design remains coherent. The material quality and visual appeal is maintained throughout, making them truly timeless. This ‘Razorblade’ model was manufactured by EG Kvalitetsmobel in Denmark during the 1960s. If there is a single common denominator for Danish Modern, it is the quality of the execution, the woodwork and the upholstery. The fact that so much of the original furniture has survived to the present-day bears testimony to the fact that Danish Modern was second to none in craftsmanship.

Extremely modest and confident at the same time is how these chairs can be best described. Kjærnulf preferred to work with traditional and natural materials, but also liked to experiment with new techniques; the resulting models are Danish Modern classics.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Items have some minor watermarks. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in a premium bouclé fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

27 in W x 24.6 in D x 29. 7 in H; Seat height 15.75 in

68.5 cm W x 62.5 cm D x 75.5 cm H; Seat height 40 cm

About the designer:

Danish mid-century designer and architect, Henning Kjærnulf is somewhat of a mystery. A lot more is known about his designs than Kjærnulf himself. His wooden designs, crafted to perfection, speak for themselves. Kjaernulf mainly designed for the Danish manufacturers EG Kvalitetsmobel, Nyrup Møbelfabrik, and Vejle Stole Møbelfabrik. The latter produced the designer’s well-known teak extending dining table design. The historic archives of the Danish municipality, Stenlille, reveal the history of Nyrup Møbelfabrik, mentioning Kjærnulf’s architectural designs for the company’s factory, referring to him as an architect based in Odense, Denmark.

Kjærnulf’s works reveal quality craftsmanship throughout, featuring clean Danish modern era lines with sculpted edges and shapes. The unique shapes, like his razorblade chair backrests, distinguish the designer from other Danish mid-century designers.

In light of how sought after his dining sets and lounge chairs are, it remains a mystery why so little is known about the designer. The curious background of Kjærnulf if anything, adds more charm to his pieces. ~H.