Designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1961, the folding PK91 stool was inspired by the folding stools of ancient Egypt. The designer's approach sought to redefine and simplify historical furniture. This is evidenced by the PK91: a sleek and minimalist stool produced by Fritz Hansen. The stool forms part of the permanent collection at the Röhsska Museum in Sweden. The satin stainless steel base is combined with a black leather or canvas seat.
Poul Kjaerholm, Danish, born 8 January 1929 - died 18 April 1980, was a designer known for his functional yet modern furniture. Born in Øster Vrå in northern Denmark, Kjaerholm studied at the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. After graduating in 1952, Kjaerholm, with the help of his long-time friend and entrepreneur Ejvind Kold Christiansen, began designing furniture, distinguished by its unique minimalist aesthetic. In 1958, he designed the now famous PK22 chair and PK 24 chaise longue for Fritz Hansen for the Formes Scandinaves exhibition in Paris. A year later, he became a lecturer at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He was then appointed head of the Institute for Design, where he worked until his death. Kjaerholm is an ardent defender of industrial production. While most of his contemporaries prefer wood as a raw material, Poul Kjaerholm prefers to use steel, always combining it with wood, leather, rattan, canvas or marble. His creations are part of the permanent collections of MoMA in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and other institutions in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. He received numerous awards, including two Grand Prix at the Milan Triennale in 1957 and 1960, the ID Award and the Lunning Award in 1958. In 1982, Fritz Hansen took over the production and sale of "The Kjærholm Collection", developed from 1951 to 1967, models that are logical down to the smallest detail with an aura of exclusivity. In 2007, Fritz Hansen added two new pieces to the "Kjærholm Collection". Pieces that had never been produced before: the PK8™ chair and the PK58™ dining table.
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FRITZ HANSEN
Fritz Hansen also works with contemporary designers such as Jaime Hayon, and always favours furniture with simple, sleek and functional forms made from natural and comfortable materials. This hallmark, which goes hand-in-hand with the Fritz Hansen ethos, is now combined with that of emerging designers who have injected new energy into the brand. Today, Fritz Hansen's philosophy is interpreted by young, brilliant and talented Danish designers, as well as internationally renowned designers. In addition, pieces resulting from new collaborations with Fritz Hansen are designed with utmost respect for the brand's history and origins.