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.
Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen & Torben Lind Two Seater Sofa in Red Leather and Teak
By Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind, France & Søn
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
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
Finn Juhl Jupiter Sofa France and Son Denmark 1965 Black
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
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
$729
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Danish Collectible Chair "197" Design Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
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
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
$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 Finn Juhl, France & Søn, Cado
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
$3,529 / set
H 29.93 in W 29.93 in D 27.96 in
Set of 2 France & Son Rosewood Moduline Armchairs by Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen & Lind
By Torben Lind, Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen, France & Søn
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Listed is a pair of iconic ‘Moduline’ rosewood and leather armchairs by Ole Gerlev Knudsen and Torben Lind for France & Son, Denmark. Chairs are in fair original condition, ‘dans son jus’. The rosewood actually is in immaculate condition, however the leather is adequate. Though I could see them standing — as is — in a loft or a bachelor pad...
Leather, Rosewood
$8,000
H 32 in W 80 in D 30 in
Teak & Cane "FD" Sofa by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart
By France & Søn, Peter Hvidt, Hvidt & Mølgaard, John Stuart, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make your living room the envy of the neighborhood with this breathtaking teak & rattan sofa designed by legendary Scandinavian Modern duo Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. ...
Brass
$2,705Sale 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
Guillerme & Chambron Sofa in Teal Upholstery
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron, sofa, oak, fabric, France, 1960s Beautiful two-seat settee by Guillerme & Chambron, in solid oak. The back of the seat has been beautifully finished with woode...
Fabric, Oak
$5,341
H 30.32 in W 53.94 in D 32.29 in
Fully Restored Hand Dyed Whiskey Brown Leather Two Seater Sofa '2/2'
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to present this Gorgeous Art Deco fully restored whiskey brown hand-dyed leather sofa. Condition-wise, the sofa has been fully restored, washed back, and hand dye...
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 Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen, Dunbar Furniture
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
$8,600
H 33.5 in W 57 in D 32 in
Finn Juhl Attributed Danish Loveseat Model 188 by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1950s DN
By Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl attributed sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s as Model Number 188. The lines and proportions of this design are just...
Wool, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique midcentury sofa features stylish curved armrests, original studded upholstery, and a unique finish. Please confirm item location (NY or ...
Upholstery
Italian Freeform Curved Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric, iron, brass, Italy, 1950s This eccentric sofa features an interesting composition. The seating area and the backrest are organically sha...
Brass, Iron
Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' Sofa in Olive Green Leather and Rosewood
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
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
Divanetto “Minerva” di France & Søn
By France & Søn, Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Brescia, IT
Divanetto danese anni ’60 di Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen per France & Søn. Struttura in teak, giunzioni in acciaio, cuscini nuovi grigio ghiaccio sfoderabili. Modello “Miner...
Fabric, Teak
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 France & Søn, Finn Juhl
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 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
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 France & Søn, Finn Juhl
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 France & Søn, Finn Juhl
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
Vintage Grete Jalk Fd-118 Four-Seat Sofa in Teak and Grey Wool, 1960s
By Grete Jalk, John Stuart Inc., France & Søn
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 France & Søn, Hvidt & Mølgaard
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 Finn Juhl, France & Søn
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
Japan Settee by Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A model 137 sofa from the "Japan" series with an upholstered floating seat and back atop a teak frame. Another sofa available to make a pair.
Teak, Upholstery