C.F. Christensen

C.F. Christensen, also known as CFC Silkeborg, was a Danish furniture manufacturer based in Silkeborg, Denmark. The company was founded in 1899 by Carl Frederik Christensen, a trained turner who initially produced wooden items for local cabinetmakers. Over the decades, the firm evolved into a significant player in Danish furniture production, transitioning into a limited company in 1949 under the direction of Christensen’s sons, Knud and Erik. By the 1970s, CFC Silkeborg employed around 50 staff and exported furniture throughout Scandinavia, Europe, Japan, and the United States. The company remained active until its closure in 2002.

CFC Silkeborg became known for its high-quality craftsmanship and collaborations with leading Danish designers during the golden era of mid-century modernism. Among its most prominent collaborators was Johannes Andersen, who designed sleek nesting tables and the iconic “Smile” coffee table for the company. Henning Korch also designed for CFC Silkeborg in the 1960s, his legacy includes a stunning tea trolley that has become highly coveted. Illum Wikkelsø, one of Denmark’s most celebrated designers, worked with the firm from the 1950s to the 1980s. His organic silhouettes and structural clarity are exemplified in the 1968 ‘Plexus’ series that reached international acclaim and was selected for use by the Japanese emperor.

The company’s output was marked by expert joinery, premium hardwoods such as teak and rosewood, and a dedication to combining functionalism with elegant design. Today, CFC Silkeborg pieces are considered highly collectible and continue to be appreciated for their timeless quality and embodiment of Danish modern ideals.