H.W. Klein

Designer Henry Walter (H.W.) Klein was born in Norway in 1919. While information is limited, it is known that after serving in the Norwegian Royal Marines, Klein turned his attention to cabinetmaking. In 1949, he moved to Denmark to study interior design at the Tekniske Skile in Frederikberg. There, he trained under the prominent Danish designer and architect Finn Juhl. After finishing school in 1952, Klein returned to Norway to establish his own furniture and interiors business. His chairs, tables, and sideboards are characteristic of the postwar Danish modern style, typically involving fine woods like teak and well proportioned, well crafted forms.

Later on, he became interested in plastic furniture—ultimately designing a new plastic manufacturing method—and worked closely with Danish manufacturer Bramin in order to finance his plastic endeavors. In 1960, Klein and his family moved to Denmark so he could work full time at Bramin. He remained at the company until it closed in 1980; he and his family moved to San Francisco in the 1980s.