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Early Bodil Kjær Executive Desk, Model 901 — E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark, 1959

Creator: Bodil Kjaer
Offered by: Chris Howard Antiques & Modern

Description
Iconic freestanding executive desk designed by architect and professor Bodil Kjær. Model 901, manufactured by E. Pedersen & Søn in Denmark in 1959. Constructed of Brazilian rosewood, it features four recessed locking drawers and a chrome-plated frame.
Originally called a "working table" by Kjaer, the desk was first designed in 1959 for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The minimalist design is both elegant and architectural, with clean lines and balanced proportions. The chrome frame is in good condition, with some minor rust pitting. Four original keys are included for locking the drawers. The desk is finished on the back, making it ideal for open-plan or center-room placement.
This desk gained international recognition after appearing in four James Bond films: From Russia with Love, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Live and Let Die.
In You Only Live Twice (1967), Bodil Kjær’s freestanding rosewood and chrome desk appears several times throughout the film. In one scene, James Bond (Sean Connery) chases a woman through a subway, only to be tricked into falling through a trapdoor. He slides down a metallic tunnel and lands in a room where he is greeted by Tiger Tanaka, casually seated behind a Bodil Kjær Model 901 Desk, who welcomes him to Japan.
Later, during a tense meeting beneath a distinctive geodesic dome, delegates from the USA, USSR, and the UK debate the mysterious disappearance of their respective spacecraft. Each delegate is boldly seated behind a Bodil Kjær desk. As tensions escalate between the superpowers, the UK begins to suspect a third party—possibly based in Japan—is behind the hijackings.
Beyond its cinematic legacy, this important Danish-designed desk has also been owned by H.R.H. Prince Philip and Sir Michael Caine, and was used by the BBC for election broadcasts.
Today, the desk remains a timeless example of Scandinavian modernism—refined, practical, and unmistakably forward-thinking.
Measurements
W 72.5'' x D 36.25'' x H 28.25''

More Information

Documentation:	Ample Provenance
Origin:	Denmark
Period:	1950-1979
Materials:	Rosewood
Condition:	Good. Lightly restored and in a excellent condition with with minor signs of age and use. Wear on left where drawer has been gliding for 50 years. Age related wear to chrome.
Creation Date:	1959
Styles / Movements:	Scandinavian Modern
Dealer Reference #:	CH_00001527
Incollect Reference #:	802907