An exceptional bespoke midcentury 1969 model JK 212 executive desk  constructed in Wenge, stainless steel and chrome with matching black leather chair designed by Jørgen Kastholm for Kill International.
 
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Jørgen Kastholm, the prolific Danish architect and industrial designer, met Preben Fabricius in 1961 and began a partnership that generated some of the most sought after designs of the 20th century. Despite only working together for just 7 years they produced a stunning array of chairs, sofas, tables and desks for Alfred Kill of Kill International. Primarily concerned with functional design paired with a minimalist aesthetic their work is instantly recognisable and this is especially so given that they chose to feature steel and leather in their work when many of their Danish counterparts preferred to use wood. Many of their designs are still produced today by Walter Knoll. 
 
All their desks are based on a stainless steel main frame, often with chrome legs and always joined by black hex head machine screws. The frame is then configured with additional wooden cabinets and usually finished with a thick glass top or wooden top. As such there are numerous variations on this theme but I have never see another desk like this before. 
 
This particular desk is often mis-attributed as being designed by both Fabricius and Kastholm but was actually designed exclusively by Kastholm for Kill in 1969 after he and Fabricius decided to go their own ways. On that basis it is far rarer than the desks they designed together. 
 
It most definitely still has all the main elements, as previously described, but also features a black leather panel to the top and a floating bookshelf at the back. This makes it truly unique and was no doubt made as a bespoke item for a particular client. Whilst they did make some desks in Rosewood often the wood in many other listings is mis-attributed. Generally, both for their large conference tables and desks, they preferred to use Wenge which is an exotic tropical hardwood favoured for its strength, durability and figuring. You’ll understand why that strength was important when you see the filing cabinet to the left as it’s monumentally heavy! The desk benefits from fully extendable draws and the original locks and keys and the backs and fronts of the cabinets are finished in black as are many of their desks cabinets. 
 
The desk comes supplied with a complimenting chair that matches the desk very well (although the designer is unknown). But this is why I again believe the whole set was bespoke for a client as it features some interesting details. Most noticeable is that the chair is made to the exact dimensions of the desk so that it can be fully pushed under to save space and fits exactly between the cabinets (as well as the arm height being exactly the same height as the cabinets too). Less noticeable, but equally important, is that because of this exact fit it means the left side key barrel has been recessed into the cabinet to allow space for the chair. You might not consider that terribly significant but if you look at pretty much every desk they made that had lockable draws the key barrels always stick out around 2 cm from the cabinet (as on the right hand side cabinet); so this piece has been specifically designed for purpose. 
 
The desk can of course be supplied without the chair (a reduction of £500 would apply) but it would be a shame to separate them as they have been together for over 50 years. But apart from that the chair choice is of fundamental importance, which again is not immediately obvious on first sight. For example, I do have one of the classic Fabricius and Kastholm ‘Tulip’ chairs for sale via another one of my listings on this website and it would be a wonderful aesthetic match to this desk. However, the arms are too wide and therefore encroach on your ability to open any of the draws while sitting at the desk! Needless to say this functional detail is very important and the chair supplied is therefore not only very comfortable but also perfectly suited to day to day use. 
 
The set is in very good vintage condition with just a few marks to the glass, the frame and leather just as you would expect. None stand out but if you look carefully at the left desk leg there are some marks in the chrome that amount to what looks like a slight discolouration. I have highlighted these in one of the photos but as the chrome is so reflective in normal day to day use they would be very difficult to see.
 
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