Finn Juhl Jupiter Chairs by France & Son, Model 218, 1965, Denmark
About the Item
- Creator:Finn Juhl (Designer),France & Søn (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 33.47 in (85 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Delft, NL
- Reference Number:
Finn Juhl
Along with Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl was one of the great masters of mid-20th-century Danish design. Juhl was the first among that group to have his work promoted overseas, bringing the character of the nation’s furnishings — and the inherent principles of grace, craftsmanship and utility on which they were based — to an international audience. A stylistic maverick, Juhl embraced expressive, free-flowing shapes in chair and sofa designs much earlier than his colleagues, yet even his quietest pieces incorporate supple, curving forms that are at once elegant and ergonomic.
As a young man, Juhl hoped to become an art historian, but his father steered him into a more practical course of study in architecture. He began designing furniture in the late 1930s, a discipline in which, despite his education, Juhl was self-taught, and quite proud of the fact. His earliest works, designed in the late 1930s, are perhaps his most idiosyncratic. The influence of contemporary art is clear in Juhl's 1939 Pelican chair: an almost Surrealist take on the classic wing chair. Critics reviled the piece, however; one said it looked like a "tired walrus." Juhl had tempered his creativity by 1945, when the Danish furniture-making firm Niels Vodder began to issue his designs. Yet his now-classic NV 45 armchair still demonstrates panache, with a seat that floats above the chair’s teak frame.
Juhl first exhibited his work in the United States in 1950, championed by Edgar Kaufmann Jr., an influential design critic and scion of America’s most prominent family of modern architecture and design patrons. (Kaufmann’s father commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright’s design of the house “Fallingwater.”) Juhl quickly won a following for such signature designs as the supremely comfortable Chieftan lounge chair, the biomorphic Baker sofa, and the Judas table, a piece ornamented with stylish inlaid silver plaquettes.
As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, Finn Juhl’s furniture — as well as his lighting, ceramics, tableware and accessories — has an air of relaxed sophistication and elegance that is unique in the realm of mid-20th-century design.
France & Søn
Danish manufacturer France & Søn is best known for its prolific output of elegant mid-century modern furnishings in teak and leather, yet its multinational beginnings took shape during the 1930s.
After businessman Charles William Fearnley France (1897–1972) moved from his native England to Denmark in 1936, he began to operate a small mattress factory alongside his friend Eric Daverkosen, a Danish cabinetmaker, under the name France & Daverkosen. Shortly afterward, Daverkosen passed away, and when Denmark was invaded during the Second World War, Charles was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany. When he was released, the British entrepreneur set out to produce furniture in the early 1950s, setting up a shop in Hillerød to manufacture the kind of sleek beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. In 1957, France’s son James joined the business, and the company changed its name to reflect the addition.
Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, France & Søn produced a stunning array — and staggering quantity — of designs, with elegant modernist lounge chairs and armchairs, teak and rosewood dining tables and other furnishings by the likes of Finn Juhl, Grete Valk, Ole Wanscher, Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen all gracing its catalogues.
Even as there was a focus on mass production at France & Søn — and the brand doesn’t quite enjoy the same renown as fellow mid-century Danish furniture makers such as Carl Hansen & Søn — Charles France believed in making quality furniture, and the company’s offerings evoke the warmth of the handcrafted work that is typically associated with Scandinavian modernism.
In the 1960s, the company was bought by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s. Surviving examples of early work from the brand as well as modern icons by the likes of Verner Panton that followed in later years continue to be in demand.
Find a collection of France & Søn furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Delft, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Gispen Lounge Chair, Model 1410 by A.R. Cordemeijer, 1959By A.R. Cordemeijer, GispenLocated in Delft, NLGispen Lounge chair, model 1410 by A.R. Cordemeijer, 1959 Dutch high back lounge chair by A.R. Cordemeijer designed for Gispen 1959 Black metal base with newly upholstered fabr...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Oak Lounge Chair by Soren Holst for A/S Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark, 1980sBy Søren HolstLocated in Delft, NLOak Lounge Chair by Soren Holst for A/S Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark, 1980s Oak wooden lounge chair with armrests and blue fabric upholstery Design by S...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Vitra Eames Aluminium Lounge Chair, Model EA124By Charles and Ray Eames, VitraLocated in Delft, NLVitra Eames aluminium lounge chair , model EA124 Eames Alu ( Eames Aluminium Group) Lounge Swivel chair in black Hopsack fabric ( basket weave pattern) with ...Category
20th Century Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Morten Voss, Danish Lounge Chair, the Attitude Collection by Fritz Hansen, 2006By Fritz HansenLocated in Delft, NLMorten Voss, 2006, Denmark A lounge chair from the Attitude Collection produced by Fritz Hansen The measurements are 68 high, 68 wide and the de...Category
20th Century Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Hunter Chair by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo Norway, 1960sBy Bruksbo, Torbjørn AfdalLocated in Delft, NLHunter chair by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo Norway, 1960s A lounge chair designed by Torbjørn Afdal (1917-1999) for Bruksbo Tegnekonto...Category
20th Century Norwegian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Leather Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in Delft, NLLeather Lounge Chair by Theo Ruth for Artifort, 1950s A beautiful leather lounge chair with a highly winged back 2 toned in new upholstered high quality Italian black and red leathe...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Finn Juhl Jupiter sofa brown leather France & Son Denmark 1965By France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in Etten-Leur, NLBeautiful shaped 3-seat Jupiter sofa model 218 designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son, Denmark 1965. The sofa is executed in chocolate brown leather suppo...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Finn Juhl Jupiter Sofa France and Son Denmark 1965 BlackBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantDanish modern so called Jupiter sofa model 218 designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by France and Son, Denmark 1965. The sofa has a solid rosewood frame...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Danish Modern Teak Spade Lounge Chair by Finn Juhl for France & SønBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in North Hollywood, CADanish modern teak "spade" lounge chair design by Finn Juhl for France & Søn in Denmark, circa 1950s. These chairs are known for their comfort and beauty, but most importantly, their sculptured spade shape armrest. The chair was made of the highest quality teak giving it a mid-century look. The chair needs to be upholstered but offers you the opportunity to create the perfect chair...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Scandinavian Easy Chairs by Finn Juhl, Mod. 112 France & Søn Denmark 60sBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Rosendahl, DERare easy chairs by Finn Juhl. Teak frame, newly upholstered and covered with fabric from "Kvadrat". The chairs can be bought separately.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Early Model Finn Juhl for France & Søn Lounge Chair in TeakBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in Waalwijk, NLFinn Juhl for France & Søn, lounge chair early model '136', teak, fabric upholstery, Denmark, 1959. Very honest and open design by the Danish architect and designer Finn Juhl. As a...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Teak Japan Chair by Finn Juhl for France & SonBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in VANCOUVER, CATeak Japan chair by Finn Juhl for France & Son, 1957. Simple, elegant frame inspired by Japanese temple doors. Tapered legs, brass hardware and horizontal back rest with recessed cir...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass