Pair of Finn Juhl Spade Chairs in Teak, Denmark 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Finn Juhl Spade Chairs in Teak, Denmark 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:France & Søn (Manufacturer),Finn Juhl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.29 in (82 cm)Width: 29.14 in (74 cm)Depth: 29.14 in (74 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950-1959
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Hellouw, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5583230567242
Finn Juhl
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 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. His earliest works, designed in the late 1930s, are perhaps his most idiosyncratic. The influence of contemporary art is clear in Juhl's 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 Danish furniture-making firm Niels Vodder began to issue his designs. Yet his 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 biomorphic Baker sofa, and the Judas table, a piece ornamented with stylish inlaid silver plaquettes.
As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, Finn Juhl’s furniture — as well as his lighting, ceramics, tableware and accessories — has an air of relaxed sophistication and elegance that is unique in the realm of mid-20th-century design.
France & Søn
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.
- Finn Juhl Japan Sofa Model 137 in Teak for France & Son, Denmark 1950sBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in Hellouw, NLAmazing Finn Juhl sofa Model 137 in teak for France & Son, Denmark 1950s. This three-seater 'Japan' sofa has the elegance and round shapes that are so recognizable for Finn Juhl and ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Pair of Grete Jalk Model 118 armchairs in Teak for France & Daverkosen, 1950sBy France & Daverkosen, Grete JalkLocated in Hellouw, NLCharming pair of Grete Jalk Model 118 armchairs in teak and fabric for France & Daverkosen from 1955. These two comfortable chairs are the first o...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Brutalist Oak Chairs with Faux Leather in the Style of Charles Dudouyt, 1950sBy Charles DudouytLocated in Hellouw, NLA set of two beautiful rustic brutalist oak chairs in faux leather upholstery in the style of Charles Dudouyt from the 1950s. These lounge chairs c...Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Oak
- Prototype Chair by Albert Haberer, 1950s GermanyBy Albert HabererLocated in Hellouw, NLRare Prototype Easy chair by Albert Haberer from the 1950s, Germany. Only three of them were made, and the chair comes from the previous home of Albert Haberer. In the end, this chai...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Wood
- Pair of Eugenio Gerli Model 126 Lounge Chairs Società Compensati Curvi, ItalyBy Eugenio Gerli, Società Compensati CurvatiLocated in Hellouw, NLThese beautiful bentwood chairs were designed in 1958 by the Italian architect Eugenio Gerli for Società Compensatie Curvi. This company, which was located in Monza at the time, specialized in manufacturing highly stylized chairs made of bentwood with a modular choice offered to the customer. For example, there was a catalog showing that at that time you could choose from different types of bases and bodies. These specific lounge chairs are made up of seven layers of glued and bent teak veneer. A special example of craftsmanship and artistry in which technique and aesthetics effortlessly come together. The body is attached to a beautiful slender black-painted metal base by means of four bolts. The considerable contrast between the base and the seating area seems to make the chair float. The opening at the back of the seat allows for an angelic light...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Kaare Klint 'Safari' Lounge Chair for Red Rasmussen, Denmark, 1960sBy Kaare KlintLocated in Hellouw, NLThis is the 1960s 'Safari' chair for Red Rasmussen by Danish designer Kaare Klint, which he originally designed in the 1930s. The chair is entirely foldable, making it a lightweight ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood, Leather
- Pair of Finn Juhl Model 133 "Spade" Teak Lounge Chairs by France & Søn 1950sBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in St. Louis, MOPair of Mid-Century Danish Modern Finn Juhl Model 133 "Spade" teak lounge chairs manufactured by France & Søn of Denmark and retailed at Illums Bol...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Danish Modern Teak Spade Lounge Chair by Finn Juhl for France & SønBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in North Hollywood, CADanish modern teak "spade" lounge chair design by Finn Juhl for France & Søn in Denmark, circa 1950s. These chairs are known for their comfort and beauty, but most importantly, their sculptured spade shape armrest. The chair was made of the highest quality teak giving it a mid-century look. The chair needs to be upholstered but offers you the opportunity to create the perfect chair...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Finn Juhl for France & Søn Pair of Lounge Chairs in Teak and LeatherBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in Waalwijk, NLFinn Juhl for France & Søn, pair of no. 138 lounge chairs, teak, leather, Denmark, design ca. 1959 These easy chairs are designed by Danish master designer Finn Juhl in 1959. Define...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Danish Spade Chairs in Teak in the style of Finn Juhl, 1960sBy Finn Juhl, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Store Heddinge, DKMassive teak lounge chais in great condition with no smell or odur. The chairs have a beautiful size and will add elegance to every modern home. Small pat...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSuede, Teak
$2,511 Sale Price / set29% Off - Pair of Danish Modern Lounge Chairs, Manner of Finn JuhlBy Finn JuhlLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic pair Danish modern armchairs, teakwood frames and upholstery. Stunning lines, design... retains original green wool fabric, usable...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Finn Juhl Model 141 Lounge ChairBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Highland, INThis handsome easy chair by Finn Juhl for France & Sons is a rare model fd141. It shares qualities with many of his famous chairs including the Chieftain, the #45 chair, and the Dele...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak