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Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Danish, 1912-1989

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.

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Creator: Finn Juhl
Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk Wood Black Lino
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Desk designed by Finn Jhul Manufactured by one collection Finn Juhl, (Denmark) When Finn Juhl established his first studio at the exclusive address of 33 Nyhavn in central Copenhagen in 1945, he designed a very simple desk...
Category

2010s Danish Modern Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Finn Juhl Rosewood 'Diplomat' Desk, by France & Son, Denmark 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' executive desk in rosewood, fitted two drawers to each side with aluminium pulls below a pullout lined with felt/glass. Designed circa 1957 and likely manufactur...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

1960s Excecutive Brazilian Rosewood Desk by Finn Juhl in Excellent Condition
By Finn Juhl, France & Daverkosen
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s excecutive Brazilian rosewood desk by Finn Juhl in excellent condition Impressive "Technocrat" executive desk designed by Finn Juhl for Frances and Son...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Diplomat Desk Made In Rosewood By Finn Juhl For France & Son From 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Lejre, DK
The Diplomat desk in rosewood, designed by the renowned Danish architect Finn Juhl and manufactured by France & Søn in 1960, represents a striking mix of functionality and aesthetics...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Finn Juhl Rare Desk for Bovirke in Teak
By Finn Juhl, Bovirke
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Finn Juhl for Bovirke, desk, model ‘BO 69’, teak, metal, brass, Denmark, design ca. 1953, made late 1950s Finn Juhl conceived this rare version of the desk model ‘BO 69’ in the late 1950s. Bovirke first produced a model after a design by Juhl in 1953. This was a teak version with four polychrome painted wood...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Finn Juhl Desk Model NV-40 by Niels Vodder in Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare desk NV-40 designed by Finn Juhl. Produced by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder in Denmark.
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

1960s Finn Juhl France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak Made in Denmark
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1960's Finn Juhl for France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak. Overall this item is in very good to excellent condition. The wood top is free from any major scratches, stains, or major imperfections. It has aged quite nicely and shows a gorgeous and very subtle patina. The drawers open easily and the metal finish on the legs are intact and clean. The bottom of the desk top from the ground is 26-1/2" but total clearance from the ground is 24-3/4" to the middle support beam. This piece came from a notable modern estate in Boston. It was purchased from Machine Age by the previous owner. The Eames aluminum chair...
Category

1960s Danish Modern Vintage Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

NV 40 - Writing desk in rosewood by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Copenhagen, DK
NV 40 - Rare writing desk in rosewood with mirror and recessed brass handles and three compartments.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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Previously Available Items
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Mid Century Rosewood Desk by Finn Juhl for Cado, Denmark, 1960
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BO69 Desk by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Copenhagen, DK
BO 69 - Rare desk/work table in rosewood, light and black laminate. Black metal frame and teak shoes. Drawer module in rosewood with original, colored drawers. T...
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BO69 Desk by Finn Juhl
BO69 Desk by Finn Juhl
H 28.35 in W 55.12 in D 33.08 in
Large Finn Juhl Diplomat Writing Table in Rosewood
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Located in Dronten, NL
Exceptional large Diplomat table designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son. Made in rosewood with a refined color and grain. Marked with silver medalli...
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1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables

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Finn Juhl desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Finn Juhl desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Finn Juhl desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 9 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 18 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Finn Juhl were created in the modern style in scandinavia during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by and Carl Hansen & Søn. Prices for Finn Juhl desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,465 and can go as high as $19,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,721.
Questions About Finn Juhl Desks and Writing Tables
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 6, 2024
    Here are the dimensions of the Finn Juhl France chair: The frame is around 30 inches tall by 29 inches deep by 26.5 inches wide and the seat height is approximately 16 inches. Find a selection of Finn Juhl France chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

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