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, credenzas 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.
Juhl’s earliest works, designed in the late 1930s, are perhaps his most idiosyncratic. The influence of modern art is clear in his 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 workshop of Danish cabinetmaker Niels Vodder began to issue his designs. Yet Juhl’s 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 Judas table — a piece ornamented with stylish inlaid silver plaquettes — and the biomorphic Baker sofa. After an article authored by Kaufmann on Juhl and his work appeared in the U.S.-based magazine Interiors in 1948, he began receiving American commissions.
Kaufmann commissioned Juhl to create the exhibition design for, and contribute pieces to, the 1951 edition of the Good Design shows he organized for MoMA and Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. Baker Furniture asked Juhl to design for the firm, and he produced a collection of chairs, tables and cabinets, and, later, the 1957 sofa.
Scandinavian modernist seating, such as the chairs and sofas Juhl created for Baker, became immensely popular in postwar America, as the seeds of the Scandinavian style that Juhl sowed took root and spread in the United States. Juhl and his work featured prominently in the landmark show “Design from Scandinavia,” which opened in 1954 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and traveled to 24 museums in the U.S. and Canada; over three years, it was seen by more than a million people.
Juhl’s furniture — as well as his ceramics, tableware and accessories — has an air of relaxed sophistication and elegance that is unique in the realm of mid-century design.
Find vintage Finn Juhl armchairs, coffee tables, desks and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sideboard by Finn Juhl & Baker, Circa 1950
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Danish, American cabinet made of hand crafted Walnut, designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Baker in good condition. The Scandinavian sideboard is compos...
Walnut
Finn Juhl Bookcase Produced by Bovirke in Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare wall-mounted bookcase designed by Finn Juhl. Produced by Bovirke in Denmark.
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Modular shelving system BO71 in teak by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Modular shelving system BO71 in teak by Finn Juhl for Bovirke in the 1960s. Comprising 3 columns, 4 rules, 1 unit with 6 drawers, a writing desk, 13 Oregon pine shelves, and 22 brass...
Teak
Model NV54 Tambour Door Sideboard Produced Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl
Located in Stamford, CT
A model NV54 sideboard designed in 1954 produced by Niels Vodder. Exterior is dark brown teak and the interior cabinet is Maple. Having 8 interior drawers and a ...
Maple, Teak
Modular Teak Wall Units by Finn Juhl for France & Son
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Denton, TX
Two Finn Juhl's Danish Modern modular wall unit from the Cresco series for France & Son. Finn Juhl's aluminum bow-tie drawer pulls that...
Aluminum
Finn Juhl for One Collection, freestanding Credenza of walnut, 2000s
By Finn Juhl, Onecollection
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Finn Juhl freestanding credenza in walnut. White and blue sliding doors with shelfes behind. Standing on a black painted steel base with walnut shoes. ' Made by Onecollection
Steel
$11,723Sale Price|50% Off
Wallunit by Finn Juhl for Bovirke Denmark, 1960s
By Finn Juhl
Located in amstelveen, NL
Large modular wall unit BO71 from the 1960s by Finn Juhl with a beautiful rosewood veneer with brass. The placement of the shelves and cabinet can be freely chosen. The shelf was man...
Rosewood
Midcentury Desk Organizer by Finn Juhl, 1950s
By Bovirke, Finn Juhl
Located in Lejre, DK
Original desk organizer designed by Maa. Finn Juhl for Bovirke in the 1950s. Made in Denmark. Great condition.
Beech, Rosewood
Wall Mounted Cabinets by Finn Juhl for Baker, Walnut and Birch, Great Condition
By Baker Furniture Company, Finn Juhl
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of six wall mount cabinets / wall unit designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by Baker, 1950s. The entire set is in very good condition, Beautiful grain pattern in the walnut doo...
Birch, Walnut
Wall-Mounted Bookcase in Teak, Beech and Brass by Finn Juhl, 1956
By Finn Juhl
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Wall-Mounted Bookcase in Teak, Beech and Brass by Finn Juhl, 1956 Additional Information: Material: Teak, beech and brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Bovirke in Den...
Brass
Finn Juhl model 22 Two-Tone Cabinet for Baker Furniture Company, 1950s
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Coronado, CA
Finn Juhl Cabinet for Baker, 1950s. This petite cabinet features wonderful two-tone construction of teak and maple, with sculpted, lacquered steel pulls. A lovely, sculptured lip gra...
Steel
Restored Teak & Maple Finn Juhl Credenza / Dresser for Baker
By Finn Juhl
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Restored Teak & Maple Finn Juhl Credenza / Dresser for Baker This exquisite teak and maple credenza by Finn Juhl for Baker is a fully restored Mid-Century masterpiece. Featuring...
Birdseye Maple, Teak
Finn Juhl For Baker: Cabinet
By Finn Juhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Cabinet by Finn Juhl for Baker, with metal manufacturer's label, 1950s.
Maple, Walnut
$11,723Sale Price|50% Off
H 78.75 in W 125.99 in D 17.72 in
Wallunit by Finn Juhl for Bovirke Denmark, 1960s
By Finn Juhl
Located in amstelveen, NL
Large modular wall unit BO71 from the 1960s by Finn Juhl with a beautiful rosewood veneer with brass. The placement of the shelves and cabinet can be freely chosen. The shelf was man...
Rosewood
$14,429
H 35.44 in W 55.12 in D 10.63 in
Original Modernist corner bookcase in Mahogany by Danish Cabinet maker 1920s.
Located in København K, 84
This original 1920s Danish Funkis corner bookcase, crafted in solid mahogany by a master cabinetmaker, is a rare and refined example of early Scandinavian functionalist design. Roote...
Mahogany
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 78 in W 94 in D 18 in
California Design Group Freestanding Modular Wall Unit by Lou Hodges
By Lou Hodges
Located in Oceanside, US
A sculptural freestanding wall unit by California designer Lou Hodges, crafted entirely in solid oak and embodying the warm, organic aesthetic of the 1970s West Coast design movement...
Oak
$9,980
H 96.46 in W 100.79 in D 36.62 in
Modular Wall Unit in Solid Elm, France, c. 1980, Scandinavian Style
By Ebenisterie Seltz et Fils 1
Located in St Ouen, FR
French work of the 1980s, this elegant shelves combines rusticity and modernity by the choice of a wood with warm tones and minimalist lines, like the creations of Pierre Chapo. The...
Elm
Mid-Century Modern Danish Long Teak Credenza with Tambour Doors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautifully designed teak credenza with top notch construction. It features two sliding tambour doors, two drawers and two shelf spaces. Marked made in Denmark. Original clean cond...
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Bookcase, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Teak Bookcase, 1960s. Danish Mid-Century Modern bookcase and cabinet in teak. Manufactured in Denmark in the 1960s. In the style of Carlo Jensen/Hundevad/Børge Mogensen...
Teak
$15,030
H 31.5 in W 82.68 in D 18.9 in
Niels O. Møller Sideboard Model No 20 in Rosewood Produced in Denmark
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare sideboard model no 20 designed by Niels O. Møller. Produced by J.L. Møllers møbelfabrik in Denmark.
Rosewood
$3,520 / set
H 69.75 in W 42 in D 12 in
Pair of Teak Display Cabinets in the Style of Finn Juhl, UK, 1960s
By Finn Juhl
Located in Round Top, TX
A pair of slim teak display and storage cabinets / room dividers by Stateroom, imported from the United Kingdom in the late 1960s. A stylish, sleek way to divide a large space (finished on the backs) or have a bar and show off vintage stemware...
Teak
Vintage Danish Wall Mounted Teak Shelving System, 1960s.
By Kurt Østervig, Poul Cadovius
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish wall mounted teak shelving system, 1960s. Floating Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern two bay wall unit in teak with 7 shelves. Each shelf is mounted on black metal bra...
Teak
Baker Finn Juhl Modular Wall Unit, circa 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Baker Finn Juhl adjustable modular wall unit, circa 1950s. Can be positioned vertically or horizontal. Each unit measures 32" wide x 11" deep x 14" tall. Shelf measures 10" x 54". Me...
Wood
$4,600 / set
H 36.42 in W 48.04 in D 9.45 in
Pair of China Bookcases in Oak by Børge Mogensen, Made in Denmark
By C.M. Madsen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of bookcases in oak with adjustable shelves, designed by Maa. Børge Mogensen for C.M. Madsen cabinetmakers in 1958. Made in Denmark.
Oak
Rosewood Tambour Door Credenza by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Denton, TX
Rare Danish modern rosewood tambour door credenza with center dovetailed drawer section and adjustable shelf on each side.
Mahogany, Oak, Rosewood
Very Rare Sideboard by Finn Juhl in Oak, 1950s
By Finn Juhl, Søren Willadsen
Located in Lejre, DK
Rare sideboard designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Søren Willadsen Møbelfabrik. Crafted in solid and veneered oak with sliding doors, integrated circular handles, and the character...
Oak
Mid-Century Wall Mounted Credenza by Finn Juhl for Baker
By Davis Allen, Baker Furniture Company, Poul Cadovius, Finn Juhl, Jack Cartwright
Located in Raleigh, NC
Monumental mid-century wall mounted cabinets. If a floating credenza or console is what you require, we have the perfect piece. Designed by Finn Juhl for Baker Furniture Company, cir...
Wood, Birch, Walnut
Pair of Cabinets by Finn Juhl for Baker
By Finn Juhl
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful pair of matching cabinets designed by Finn Juhl for Baker. Walnut with patinated brass hardware and legs. Restored.
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 78 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Finn Juhl Teak & Walnut Credenza with Cane Front Doors
By Finn Juhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and preci...
Cane, Wood, Teak, Walnut
Sold
H 25.2 in W 77.56 in D 19.49 in
Rosewood sideboard 'Diplomat' by Finn Juhl for France & Søn, Denmark, 1970s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Luxurious sideboard designed by Finn Juhl for France & Søn, Denmark, during the 1970s. Model 'Diplomat' is made in Rosewood with steel handles and aluminum details. Floating top.
Aluminum, Steel
Finn Juhl Wooden Chest of Drawers with Steel Handles by Cado
By Cado, Finn Juhl
Located in Madrid, ES
Wooden commode from Diplomat series designed by Finn Juhl, circa 1962. Manufactured by Cado. Front with six drawers with steel handle. Unoriginal brushed steel legs. One side with a ...
Steel
Rosewood Diplomat Desk by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Pasadena, TX
Large rosewood executive Diplomat model desk, model FD-951, designed by Finn Juhl, made by France & Son circa 1960. This classic desk features two banks of locking drawers .This exam...
Wood
Small Wooden Diplomat Series Sideboard by Finn Juhl
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Madrid, ES
Sideboard designed by Finn Juhl as part of the "Diplomat" series. Manufactured by France & Son in the late 1950's. Sliding doors of hardwood veneer with metal bow-tie shaped fittings...
Aluminum
Danish Modern Finn Juhl NV40 Writing Desk
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A rare Finn Juhl design know as the FJ 40. One of Finn Juhl’s earliest designs that is produced by master cabinet maker Niels Vodder.A small compact writing desk in teak with very fi...
Teak
Finn Juhl Credenza For Baker
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in San Diego, CA
This incredible teak and maple credenza is designed by Finn Juhl and is fully restored. This is a beautiful example of his work. The teak case is topped with a raised back-rail, four stacked drawers with black enamel brass pulls raised on tapered legs. The right side offers open cabinet space with adjustable shelves and drawers. There is a metal Baker label in the inner drawer as well as the top drawer. Let us show you this in person or on a video call. We are in awe of its perfect understated elegance and how beautiful the pulls feel. We have restored this credenza to excellent vintage condition. Finn Juhl's work is always so inspiring to us. The 2 toned maple and teak wood, the delicate joinery and the sense of fantasy in his work. The pop of bright gold, as you open the credenzas doors and drawers...
Maple, Teak
Finn Juhl Two Door Cabinet for Baker Furniture
By Baker Furniture Company, Finn Juhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finn Juhl designed this walnut cabinet for American manufacturer Baker furniture in the 1950s for their "Baker Modern" line. The cabinet features four shelves and two drawers. There ...
Metal
Sold
H 78.75 in W 137.8 in D 17.33 in
Danish Modern Teak Wall Unit by Finn Juhl BO71 for Bovirke , 1960s
By Bovirke, Finn Juhl
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Large modular wall shelf BO71 made of beautiful teak, designed by Finn Juhl. The placement of the shelves and sideboard can be freely chosen. The sh...
Teak