The wooden monkeys were designed and crafted 70 years ago in a cosy Copenhagen workshop by Kay Bojesen, who never expected them to gain cult status so quickly. He created the wooden toy in 1951 for his son, just as his own father had made toys for him. This family tradition gave birth to a monkey that was loved not only by Kay's son, Otto, but by the whole world.
The anniversary monkey at FormAdore
They have also been available in our showroom at Spokojna 7 in Warsaw since 25th September.
Kay Bojesen
To this day, Kay Bojesen remains one of the most well-known and beloved Danish designers. He was a versatile artist, craftsman, and silversmith who created his toys, silver, and wooden products in the back of a quaint shop in Copenhagen, which he ran for 26 years. His shop was full of wooden monkeys, zebras, elephants, and... delighted children and adults who quickly appreciated their magnetic charm.
The Danish designer has over two thousand designs to his name
signed with his name, and hats off to him for that. You can find out more about him and his wonderful creations here.
The philosophy of the monkey
Kay Bojesen firmly believed that every design that emerged from his hands and chisel should meet several conditions. Above all, it should be simple, not necessarily mirroring reality, but it should inspire the imagination of children and adults, and also possess lightness and humour. His toys are characterised by soft, rounded shapes and simple forms. And above all, the designer had a knack for breathing life into every tiny element, making the toys magical and bringing joy to the eyes of both young and old customers.
How is the monkey made?
Initially, the monkey was conceived as a purely functional item – a coat hook for a child's room. However, hiding such a design under a coat would have been, to say the least, a faux pas, so the monkeys quickly jumped from being coat hooks... to shelves with children's toys. Ultimately, they became a real treat for all adult design enthusiasts.
The monkeys are crafted from limba wood, beech, oak, and teak from sustainable tree plantations. Each monkey consists of 31 elements, which are matched by wood shade to create a harmonious whole. Every part is worked, sanded, and joined by hand by experienced craftsmen who understand that they are dealing with more than just a piece of wood. Therefore, each monkey is the result of tenderness, precision, patience, and above all, love for the product.
The anniversary monkey
To celebrate the iconic monkey's milestone 70th birthday, the brand has released a limited and unique collection of monkeys made from recycled wood to pay homage to their creator and to implement the sustainable methods that Kay Bojesen was committed to.
Each monkey is absolutely unique,
because it is made from wood that would otherwise have been treated as waste from the production of, among other things, furniture. And so, the monkeys created from recycled wood can now bring joy to our eyes and hearts, because there is so much love in them. What's more, each piece is as unique as the piece of wood from which it is made. There's nothing left for us to do but to fall in love with them!
