France & Daverkosen Furniture

Danish

The giant of mid-century furniture design France & Søn began its remarkable journey as a Danish firm specializing in the production and exporting of Scandinavian design called France & Daverkosen.

British businessman Charles William Fearnley France and Danish cabinetmaker Eric Daverkosen entered into a joint venture in 1936 — France being the investor and Daverkosen the head designer for their small mattress factory. Soon after production started at the France & Daverkosen company, Daverkosen became quite ill.

Concerned for his friend and their fledgling business, France traveled to Denmark, and Daverkosen died soon after his partner arrived. While France was attempting to make arrangements to transfer the company into his hands, World War II erupted, and Germany invaded Denmark. As a British citizen, France was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany.

While in captivity, France developed several manufacturing ideas to pass the time and to keep his mind focused. He imagined a way to create lightweight wooden chairs that could be manufactured on an industrial scale and transported using an economic flat-pack format. He also thought of a way to retool his mattress factory to create chair backs, seats and sofa cushions.

Once freed, France returned to his business in Denmark and began to manufacture beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. He began to surround himself with some of the best Scandinavian designers of the time: Finn Juhl, Grete Jalk and Ole Wanscher, to name a few.

By 1954, France & Daverkosen accounted for 60 percent of all Danish furniture exports and their factory employed 350 people. Charles’s son James joined the company in 1957, which resulted in the name change to France & Søn.

Later, France & Søn was acquired by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s.

On 1stDibs, find France & Daverkosen seating, tables and more.

France & Daverkosen furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

France & Daverkosen furniture 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 France & Daverkosen furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by France & Daverkosen were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Bramin Møbler, Niels Koefoed, and Arne Hovmand-Olsen. Prices for France & Daverkosen furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $571 and can go as high as $15,216, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,704.

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Questions About France & Daverkosen Furniture

What is a fauteuil in France?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
In France, a fauteuil is any chair that features arms and upholstery. In the U.S. and England, the term usually refers to a chair with an upholstered back and seat and a decorative wooden frame complete with arms. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of antique and vintage armchairs.
Is Chanel from Italy or France?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
Chanel is from France. Coco Chanel opened her original boutique on the rue Cambon in Paris, France, in 1910. However, some Chanel shoes and bags are made at factories located in Italy. Find a collection of Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
Where did Picasso live in France?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
Picasso lived in more than one place in France. In 1904, he moved to Paris and settled in the artist quarter of Montmartre. In 1936, he set up his studio at 7 rue des Grands-Augustins in Paris. During World War II, he briefly fled to the south of France but then returned to his Parisian studio in 1940 and remained there until 1955, when he relocated to a villa near Cannes called La Californie. After a brief stay in the French village of Vauvenargues, he finally moved to Mougins, where he lived until he passed away in 1973. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Pablo Picasso art.
What is Limoges, France, known for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Limoges is an area in France known for its production of fine porcelain and china. Limoges china was first produced in the 1700s and modeled after Chinese fine, white porcelain. Due to its proximity to kaolin, the key ingredient in porcelain, Limoges is still home to several porcelain factories. Find a variety of Limoges porcelain on 1stDibs.
Is Prada from Italy or France?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
Prada is from Italy, not France. Mario Prada founded the luxury fashion house in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in 1913. His original shop remains to this day, but the company now operates from its headquarters in a repurposed industrial space between Via Bergamo and Via Fogazzaro in Milan. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Prada apparel, bags and accessories.
What eyeglasses are made in France?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
Many eyeglasses are made in France. Some brands, like Lafont and Anne et Valentin, produce their eyewear exclusively in France. Others, like DITA, may do some parts of manufacturing in the country and perform other steps of the process, like polishing, in factories abroad. Some design houses, like Chanel, also split production between France and other locations, producing some styles overseas from start to finish. Find a large selection of eyeglasses on 1stDibs.
What is the traditional dress of France called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
What the traditional dress of France is called depends on the style, as there are several types of dresses that may be considered traditional clothing in the country. One of the most well-known is the Alsatian dress, which features a long, full skirt, a fitted bodice and an apron. The traditional dress in Normandy has a similar shape but usually features a scoop or v-neck as opposed to the higher collar of the Alsatian. In Provence, the traditional dress usually has a more fluid, flowing skirt in a pattern that contrasts with its bodice. Called the Euskara, the traditional dress of the Basque region has intricate pleats along the skirting. Find a wide range of traditional clothing on 1stDibs.
Is Limoges France porcelain valuable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
Whether Limoges France porcelain is valuable depends on a number of factors, including the condition of the piece in question. Limoges porcelain has withstood the test of time for centuries. The widely cherished ceramics named for the French city and commune in which they are made are synonymous with sophistication, elegance and refinement. Generally, collectors are willing to pay more for Limoges porcelain objects that feature a high level of hand-painted detail. Pieces with machine-transferred decorations are typically less valuable. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you with determining how much Limoges pieces are worth. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Limoges porcelain.
Is Louis Vuitton cheaper in France?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Yes, Louis Vuitton handbags are typically cheaper in France. On 1stDibs, however, you can find Louis Vuitton handbags at a range of prices.
What are the dimensions of the Finn Juhl France chair?
1 Answer
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.