Hertug Side Chair

Fredrik A. Kayser, a celebrated furniture designer from the mid-twentieth century Scandinavian Design period, was born in Bergen, Norway, into a musical family. Growing up with a musical background, he played the cello and the mandolin, finding inspiration in the music world. His father, Trygve Kayser, ran a furniture agency, providing Fredrik with early exposure to the industry and a valuable network.

Fredrik embarked on his carpentry apprenticeship immediately after completing middle school. At 15, he had already designed his first dining room, which began production at Viken Møbelfabrikk. In 1945, the same year he earned his diploma from the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry in Oslo, Fredrik Kayser commenced his career at Rastad & Relling Tegnekontor.

His furniture designs are characterized by elegance, material sensitivity, and a rare sense of proportions and composition. One of his most renowned designs, "Krysset," features front and back legs connected by four wood nails, emphasizing the construction in a refined manner. While Kayser drew inspiration from contemporary trends, he always infused his creations with a unique, personal touch, marked by an elegance that turned them into instant classics.