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.
"Minerva" sofa by France & Søn
By Peter Hvidt, France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Brescia, IT
Danish 1960s sofa by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn. Struttura in teak, giunzioni in acciaio, cuscini nuovi grigio ghiaccio sfoderabili. "Minerva" model design...
Fabric, Teak
Peter Hvidt Solid Teak Sofa New Blue Wool Upholstery Original Springs Mint!
By John Stuart Inc., France & Søn
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Peter Hvidt solid teak sofa new blue wool upholstery original springs mint! Professionally reupholsted with original springs intact.
Upholstery, Teak, Wool
Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen & Torben Lind Two Seater Sofa in Red Leather and Teak
By France & Søn, Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen & Torben Lind for France & Søn, two seater sofa, teak, leather, Denmark, 1962 Modern and beautiful constructed sofa based on a tight and simple design. The teak...
Leather, Teak
Finn Juhl Jupiter Sofa France and Son Denmark 1965 Black
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Danish 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...
Leather, Rosewood
$9,041 / 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 France & Søn, Peter Hvidt
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
$735
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Danish Collectible Chair "197" Design Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960s
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in taranto, IT
Danish collectible chair, model "197", France & Søn production based on a design by Finn Juhl, mid-1960s made on a teak structure, it measures 76 cm in height, 50 cm in width, 45 ...
Faux Leather, Teak
$4,148
H 30.32 in W 72.45 in D 42.13 in
Howard & Sons Style Mulberry Designer Sofa Rare Made in Feather Filled
By Mulberry, Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Rare Mulberry home designer sofa. The colour over the years has faded slightly in some areas. However...
Fabric
$34,573
H 33.67 in W 77.17 in D 42.52 in
Huge Restored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
By Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with vintage brown le...
Leather
$7,000
H 26 in W 95 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Ole Wanscher Three-Seat Sofa
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
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
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
$2,182Sale Price|68% Off
H 30 in W 27 in D 23 in
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark
By Cado, France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark. Arms are removable. You can use as armless lounge as well. (See final pho...
Textile, Rosewood
$2,696Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, Hardwood Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in London, GB
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, with Mahogany Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery with Leather Trim. Usable condition. Bespoke quote can be...
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
1960s Swedish Vintage Teak Sofa by Bertil Fridhagen
By Bertil Fridhagen, Bröderna Anderssons 1
Located in London, GB
An absolutely stunning Swedish vintage teak sofa by Bertil Fridhagen. This was made in Sweden by Broderna Andersson in the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, the solid teak frame h...
Fabric, Teak
$16,750
H 32.29 in W 106.3 in D 82.68 in
Danish Design Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Teak, 1950
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, France & Daverkosen
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
$10,246
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 30.71 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Sofa Model Minerva by France & Daverkosen
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa model Minerva designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. Produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark.
Steel
Finn Juhl Japan Settee
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Chicago, IL
Made by: France & Søn, Denmark, 1953 Material: teak, upholstery, brass Size: 50 w × 27.5 d × 28 h inches Description: Metal manufacturer's label to back stretcher ‘Fd Charle...
Brass
Finn Juhl Japan Settee
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Chicago, IL
Made by: France & Søn, Denmark, 1953 Material: teak, upholstery, brass Size: 50 w × 27.5 d × 28 h in Description: Metal manufacturer's label to back stretcher ‘Fd Charles Fr...
Brass
Sold
H 30.71 in W 47.75 in D 27.5 in
Finn Juhl Japan Series Two-Seater Sofa, Early Label, Original Fabric / Denmark
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Buffalo, NY
Finn Juhl Japan Series Two-Seater Sofa,, Early label ,original fabric / Denmark.. excellent original condition,, Retains its original fabric as well as early button tag / label.. ext...
Brass
Sold
H 23.75 in W 56.75 in L 23.75 in
Vintage Signed Poul Cadovius 'Basketweave' Settee in Rosewood and Cotton, 1960s
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Up for sale we have a wonderful pair of rare 'basketweave' settees in rosewood by the celebrated Danish designer Poul Cadovius, manufactured by France and Son, circa 1960 (applied ma...
Cotton, Rosewood, Teak
Sold
H 31 in W 53.25 in D 32 in
Mid Century Teak Loveseat by Hvidt & Mølgaard for France & Son, Denmark
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Søn Denmark, 'Minerva' loveseat designed 1957, this one likely dates to the early 1960s. The teak frame and armrests with chrome st...
Steel
Sold
H 28 in W 74 in L 28 in
1950s Danish 'Japan Sofa' in Linen Upholstery by Finn Juhl for France & Son
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A model 137 sofa from the "Japan" series with teak frame, newly upholstered in off-white linen. Designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by France & Son. Marked.
Linen, Teak
Finn Juhl Jupiter Sofa France and Son Denmark, 1965
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Subtle modern so called Jupiter sofa model 218 designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by France and Son, Denmark 1965. This sofa has a solid rosewood fram...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 23.75 in W 56.75 in D 30 in
Vintage Signed Poul Cadovius 'Basketweave' Settees in Rosewood and Cotton, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Up for sale we have a wonderful pair of rare 'basketweave' settees in rosewood by the celebrated Danish designer Poul Cadovius, manufactured by France and Son, circa 1960 (applied ma...
Cotton, Rosewood, Teak
Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' Sofa in Olive Green Leather and Rosewood
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 'Diplomat', leather and rosewood, Denmark, 1960s This small solemn rosewood bench is upholstered with an olive green tufted seat and back. The sofa...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Grete Jalk Fd-118 Four-Seat Sofa in Teak and Grey Wool, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn, John Stuart Inc.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An excellent example of Grete Jalk's Classic FD-118 four-seat sofa in Teak and Italian grey boiled-wool; manufactured by France & Son, imported by John Stuart Inc. This expert, minim...
Wool, Teak
Modern Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Settee
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Washington, DC
Low profile modern settee by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Son, Denmark. Settee comes with one arm rest and is designed for side table to be on opposite side. Inne...
Chrome
"Japan" Settee by Finn Juhl
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Highland, IN
Finn Juhl regularly studied the art, design, and culture of other countries, often incorporating their forms and aesthetic sensibilities into his work. This "Japan" settee is part of...
Teak, Upholstery