The " Kay Bojesen " Monkey—Somewhere Between a Fantasy Character and a Design Object

Kay Bojesen ’s wooden monkey, with its mischievous face and light-colored belly, has been transforming children’s rooms into jungles and inspiring dreams since 1951. The small monkey’s superb craftsmanship and high-quality wood ensure hours of playtime fun for generations to come. The wooden monkey is part of a collection of wooden animals designed by Kay Bojesen between 1935 and 1957. On television, the Kay Bojesen monkey has served as a mascot for nature programs and has also been a regular prize on quiz shows. In 2008, the design bible *Wallpaper* even named the cheeky little monkey the epitome of Danish design. Along with the other wooden animals from Kay Bojesen , the wooden monkey occupies that unique space between fantasy figure and design object. Full of soul, humor, craftsmanship, and a twinkle in its eye—it appeals to the playful child in all of us.

A Wooden Monkey with Character

But it’s not just in children’s rooms—the wooden animals from Kay Bojesen have also become coveted collector’s items on shelves and in offices, passed down from one generation to the next. That’s why these animals are perfect as gift ideas—anywhere people live and play: baptisms, birthdays, confirmations, high school graduations, weddings, and anniversaries. Bojesen himself adhered to the mantra throughout his life that good design should be human, warm, and lively: “They should remind you of a circus, ” he usually said of his works, among which these charming wooden figures are among the most popular. Kay Bojesen With his user-friendly and modern design language, he ranks among the greatest Danish functionalists. In his naive designs, form and object, seriousness and play merge into a single entity. At the same time, Bojesen possessed the unique ability to bring wood to life, which has made his works international design icons.

Anniversary Edition in a Mosaic Design

In the spring of 2021, Kaj Bojesen celebrates the 70th anniversary of his unmistakable little monkey. The special edition is made from upcycled wood, combined into a beautiful mosaic that makes this timeless Bojesen classic even more sustainable. The wooden monkeys feature a special anniversary embossing on their feet.