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.
Danish Mid Century Modern Sofa by Arne Vodder for France and Daverkosen FD - 161
By France & Daverkosen, Arne Vodder
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated, stylish and rare Mid Century Danish Modern sofa by Arne Vodder for France and Daverkersen, model FD - 161 made in Denmark circa 1950's. This example is in very good, ...
Upholstery, Teak
Minerva Sofa / Daybed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen in Teak, 1950s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Daverkosen
Located in Halle, DE
Iconic Minerva sofa by renowned Danish design duo Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, 1950s. Manufactured by France & Daverkosen (later France & Son). The sofa impresses with its so...
Fabric, Teak
$12,500 / set
Danish Modern Teak Sectional Sofa by Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt, France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This stunning two-piece sectional sofa represents the pinnacle of Danish modern design, created by the renowned design duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkos...
Chrome
Arne Vodder 2-Seater Sofa, Model Fd 161, Reupholstered in Bouclé, 1950s
By France & Daverkosen, Arne Vodder
Located in Odense, DK
A fine example of a Danish modern 2-seater sofa in solid beech, reupholstered cushions in white bouclé. Designed by Arne Vodder for France & Daverkosen in 1950s, Denmark. A classic...
Bouclé, Beech
Danish Design Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Teak, 1950
By France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Extremely rare & stunning! This fully original ''Minerva seating group'' by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen 1950. The design & luxurious feeling of this set are just superb. The combination of teak, rattan, wool & chrome are breathtaking. It looks stunning from any angle with the minimalist teak & chrome backrests so you can place it in the center of your room. The set has its original finish & original padded wool upholstery in grey/green. which remains in amazing condition! The FD516 coffee table...
Chrome
Senator Sofa in Teak by Ole Wanscher for France & Søn / France & Daverkosen, Den
By Ole Wanscher, France & Daverkosen
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
This three-seater sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher and produced by France & Søn in the 1960s. Crafted in teak, it showcases classic Danish modern design with elegant lines and high-...
Teak
Original Arne Vodder Sofa Midcentury France & Søn Daverkosen Couch
By France & Søn, Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 3-Sitzer Sofa von France & Søn aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Arne Vodder, einem der renommiertesten Möbeldesigner des 20. ...
Fabric, Teak
Grete Jalk Three Seat Sofa, Teak and Hallingdal Wool from Kvadrat
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk three seat sofa. With frame of solid teak New upholstery of Hallingdal from Kvadrat. Made by France & Daverkosen.
Wool, Teak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, Three seat sofa, very rare
By France & Daverkosen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen three seat sofa with back of cane. New upholstered with Coda fabric from Kvadrat. Frame in teak and oak. Made by France & Daverkosen.
Fabric, Cane, Oak, Teak
$6,168Sale Price|25% Off
1950s Danish 3-Seater Minerva Sofa in Teal by Peter Hvidt & Orla Nielsen
By France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A beautiful 1950s three-seater "Minerva" sofa by Danish designers Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for France & Son. In excellent reupholstered condition, the teal hopsack comp...
Teak
Original Ole Wanscher Midcentury Sofa Senator Couch France&Søn
By France & Daverkosen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Zweisitzer Sofa von France & Son aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa, das den Modellnamen "Senator" trägt, wurde von Ole Wanscher entworfen un...
Teak
Sofa Couch France & Søn Ole Gjerlov Knudson Torben Lind Teak
By Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind, France & Daverkosen, France & Søn
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Vintage Teakholzsofa von France & Son aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Zweisitzer wurde von Ole Gjerlov Knudson und Torben Lind entworfen und ze...
Fabric, Teak
Midcentury Sofa France & Søn Couch Ole Wanscher Dreisitzer teak
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher, France & Daverkosen
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Teakholz Dreisitzer Sofa von France & Son aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Möbel besticht durch seine minimalistische Formgebung, wurde professi...
Teak
Arne Vodder Sofa in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Arne Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Ivan Schlechter, sofa, patinated leather, teak, Denmark, design 1953, manufactured late 1950s-1960s. Elegant two-seat settee in admirable cognac leather and teak by ...
Leather, Teak
$8,991 / set
H 32.68 in W 74.81 in D 29.93 in
Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for France & Søn, 1960s
By Peter Hvidt, France & Søn
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern Minerva corner sofa set. Design by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for France & Søn. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Solid ...
Chrome
1960s Arne Vodder 3-Seat Sofa for France & Søn, Denmark
By France & Søn, Arne Vodder
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly re-upholstered original springs pillows - The wooden parts have been refurbished.
Fabric, Wood
Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed
Located in Markington, GB
1950s Danish 3-seat sofa or daybed Lovely 1950s part wood framed sofa in very good condition, it has blanket storage underneath and folds down into a very useful daybed Measure...
Fabric, Teak
$2,600Sale Price|60% Off
H 29 in W 71 in D 35 in
Mid Century Sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid Century slipper sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen of Denmark. Companion piece to the FD 172 slipper chairs, this sofa is a rare find. Versatile ...
Wood
Ole Wanscher Three-Seat Sofa
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ole Wanscher three-seat sofa new upholstered with light grey 100 % New Zealand Divina wool. Made of solid mahogany. Model Senator, made by France & Son.
Wool, Mahogany
Red Mohair Sofa and Convertible Daybed, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dramatic mid-century red mohair sofa that converts to a daybed in a great size. Asymmetric with dog-bone shape, a popular style in the 1950s.
Mohair, Wood
$7,800
H 28 in W 142 in D 110 in
Mid-Century Post Modern Curved L Shaped Cloud Sectional Sofa by Directional
By Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek & stunning L shaped sectional sofa with incredible design lines. This well built sofa is by Directional furniture, circa 1980s. It features the original fabric in a 3 separat...
Fabric
Ole Wanscher Teak 'Senator' Sofa
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This teak high-back two-seat sofa was designed by Ole Wanscher as part of his 'Senator' line, circa 1960s. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Upholstery, Teak
Large Curved Sectional Sofa by Weiman
By Weiman, Bassett Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic and impressive sectional sofa by Weiman in luxurious purple fabric, with brown tone two tier base, and armrest. . The sectional consists of four pieces , two straight, the c...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Curved Sectional L Shaped Sofa
By Carsons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A curvy three piece sectional designed by Carson's Furniture and produced in the early 1980s. It features a unique over lapping cushion design. Fabric is original, and dated, but usa...
Fabric
$12,000 / set
H 33.5 in W 20 in D 22.5 in
Arne Vodder Set of 8 Mid Century Danish Modern Dining Chairs France & Daverkosen
By Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare & fabulous set of eight dining chairs by Arne Vodder, model #203. Designed and created from solid teak around 1957 by France & Daverkosen. Reupholstery is new and is fau...
Brass
Teak Sofa by Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in Portland, OR
Three-seater sofa with solid teak frame by Grete Jalk. New cushions upholstered in a dead stock windowpane check brown and ivory linen. Excellent condition overall, frame retaining o...
Linen, Teak
Sold
H 33.08 in W 72.84 in D 33.47 in
Mid Century Modern 3 Seater Sofa by Peter Hvidt for France & Daverkosen Danish
By Peter Hvidt, France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in London, GB
Mid century modern furniture at its most refined, this rare three-seater sofa in beech Model FD 172 was designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen in 1...
Leather, Bouclé, Beech
Sold
H 33.08 in W 53.94 in D 31.5 in
1950s Sofa 2 Seater by Tove and Edvard Kindt-Larsen Danish Mid Century Design
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, France & Daverkosen
Located in London, GB
1950s sofa designed by wife and husband team Tove and Edvard Kindt-Larsen for France & Daverkosen, model FD 117. This rare two-seater sofa features a refined combination of teak and ...
Linen, Oak, Teak
Grete Jalk Three Seat Sofa, Teak and Savak wool
By Grete Jalk, France & Daverkosen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk three seat sofa. With frame of solid teak Original upholstery of Savak wool. Made by France & Daverkosen.
Wool, Teak
Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen Teak Danish Modern Sofa
By Grete Jalk, France & Daverkosen
Located in Fulton, CA
A teak Danish Modern sofa frame designed by Grete Jalk for France & Daverkosen. Denmark, circa. 1950's. Beautiful glow and patina to original finish. Retains Daverkosen tag and brand...
Teak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen, Three seat sofa, very rare
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Daverkosen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen three seat sofa with back of cane. New upholstered with Coda fabric from Kvadrat. Frame in teak and oak. Made by France & Daverkosen.
Oak, Teak, Fabric, Cane
Sold
H 31.89 in W 90.16 in D 31.11 in
Danish Vintage Teak Sofa Bed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By Peter Hvidt, France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in London, GB
A stunning, rare and very early Danish vintage teak sofa bed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. This was made in Denmark by France and Daverkosen,...
Bouclé, Teak
Sold
H 37.41 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Finn Juhl high back lounge chair with Original Black Leather, Model 218, Denmark
By Finn Juhl, France & Daverkosen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Finn Juhl lounge highback chair with original black leather upholstery with a wonderful patina. Frame of solid teak. Model 218 from the Jupiter Series, made by France & Daverkosen.
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 79.93 in D 30.71 in
Finn Juhl Three Seat Sofa with Original Black Leather, Model 218/3, Denmark
By Finn Juhl, France & Daverkosen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Finn Juhl three seat sofa with original black leather upholstery with a wonderful patina. Frame of solid teak. Model 218/3 from the Jupiter Series, made by France & Daverkosen.
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 33.08 in W 29.14 in D 28.75 in
Danish Easy Chairs by Grete Jalk France & Daverkosen, Teak and Kvadrat Fabric
By Grete Jalk, France & Daverkosen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
High quality teak easy chairs by Grete Jalk, produced by France & Daverkosen (early edition). This easy chair has been refinished, reupholstered and covered with fabrbic by Kvadrat. ...
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 32.68 in W 80.71 in D 30.32 in
Grete Jalk Three Seat Sofa, Beech and Hallingdal Wool from Kvadrat
By France & Daverkosen, Grete Jalk
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Grete Jalk three seat sofa. With frame of stained beech. Original upholstery of Hallingdal from Kvadrat. Made by France & Daverkosen.
Wool, Beech
Sold
H 32.5 in W 79 in D 30.5 in
Sofa by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart Woven Cane Panels
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, John Stuart, France & Daverkosen
Located in Monrovia, CA
Gorgeous Vintage Danish Teak Sofa by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart. Made In Denmark by France and Daverkosen. Beautifu...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Teak