“The lines of this very first model, designed in 1951, are remarkably pure,” emphasises Adam Trunoske of Jackson Design Gallery in Stockholm.
Its minimalist design and the quality of its construction are indeed remarkable achievements. The chair is made from a single piece of each material. The frame is formed from bent steel, while the seat and back are made from one continuous length of flag halyard. The use of this rope is also a nod to the Flag Halyard Chair designed by Hans Wegner the previous year; the famous Danish designer was one of Kjærholm’s teachers at the time.
A devoted admirer of Kjærholm’s work, Adam Trunoske comments: “He always shows restraint in his designs, with no waste and nothing superfluous. He chooses to highlight the material and its intrinsic qualities rather than conceal them.”
His first creation went on to enjoy a remarkable career. “The students’ assignment was to design a piece for a hypothetical client,” explains the Scandinavian furniture specialist. “In this case, the client was the architect Halldor Gunnløgsson. He eventually bought three PK25 chairs directly from the designer, and today we own two of them.”
The Element chair was then produced by Fritz Hansen for several years, “but Poul Kjærholm later fell out with the company. E. Kold Christensen then produced the iconic chair from 1960 to 1981, after which Fritz Hansen took over again.”
The lines imagined by the designer, as well as his use of rope, would go on to inspire many other designers.
by Cecile Ybert
Good to Know!
The earliest productions are extremely difficult to find. “The models from the first Fritz Hansen production phase are very rare,” explains Adam Trunoske. “The E. Kold Christensen production is also rare.” Pieces from the second Fritz Hansen production phase are more common. “Depending on the version, the price differences are obviously substantial.”