PK23

The PK23 was conceptualized by Poul Kjærholm in 1954. Wide and low in form with a distinctive split-seat design, the vertical divide is a visually striking and innovative element that adds a unique aesthetic touch. Its sculptural form invites one to linger in repose while standing out as an exceptionally modern and relevant design today.

Originally designed as a conversational chair for lounge areas, it did not make it beyond sketches at the time. Kjærholm’s wife, Hanne Kjærholm, later approved a prototype of the PK23 for an exhibition at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and it will now come into production for the first time. The chair’s back and seat are crafted from laminated veneer shells, and the base is made of either stainless steel or black powder-coated steel. This work represents an intersection between the styles of PK4 and PK0, not yet as structural and minimalist as Kjærholm's later designs.