Kai Kristiansen "Paper Knife" teak tree sofa for Magnus Olesen Mid Century

Kai Kristiansen started his professional career as an independent designer in 1954, the same year that the successful exhibition Design in Scandinavia started touring the United States, supporting the already established concept of “Danish Modern”, which contained a powerful image of functional, high-quality furniture. Danish design, both furniture and crafts had been made popular in Europe and the US after the Second World War, and during the 1950s and 60s exports were increasing. Due to the high demand, both in Denmark and abroad, Danish furniture manufacturers were facing a new possibilities as well as challenges in terms of production and sales.

Three years earlier, in 1951, Kristiansen had completed his studies, both as a cabinetmaker and a furniture architect as it was called back then. When Kristiansen, after his studies, returned to his hometown in the north of Denmark, he faced the necessity of change up close. His father, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, had acquired a furniture factory specializing in the Renaissance furniture, and acquisition pointing backwards rather than forwards. Helping his father out of the poor investment with hard work must have left impression on Kristiansen who, soon after, newly wed and enthusiastic, moved to another region and started his own design practice. Kristiansen’s timing could not have been better; the demand for change and innovation was at its highest.

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Satinwood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satinwood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satinwood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satinwood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.