Finn Juhl for France & Son Teak Model 197 Side Chair, circa 1960
View Similar Items
Finn Juhl for France & Son Teak Model 197 Side Chair, circa 1960
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent Original Condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU133025664753
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.
- Set of 8 Teak and Bouclé Dining Chairs by Arne Vodder for Sibast, 1960s, SignedBy Arne Vodder, SibastLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis gorgeous set of 8 dining chairs by Arne Norrell for Sibast (1960s Denmark) features gorgeous teak frames with Nakashima-styled slatted spindle backs and newly reupholstered whit...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Teak
$7,040 Sale Price / set20% Off - 'Yucatan' Dining Chairs by Edmond Spence for Industria Mueblera, 1960s SignedBy Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera MexicoLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis set of six classic mid-century modern Mahogany and cane 'Yucatan' dining chairs was designed by Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence in the 1950s and produced by Industria Mueblera...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Mahogany
$9,999 Sale Price / set28% Off - Sergio Rodrigues for Oca Jacaranda & Leather Cantu Chairs, c 1959 Brazil, SignedBy OCA Brazil, Sergio RodriguesLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn important set of six (6) Jacaranda Rosewood 'Cantu' dining chairs by Sergio Rodrigues for Oca Arquitetura e Interiores in original leather, signed with labels and Brazilian tax st...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsGranite
$28,600 Sale Price / set24% Off - Exceptionally Unique Set of 'Breteau' Wrought Iron Chairs, c 1955 France, SignedBy BreteauLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn exceptionally unique set of wrought iron chairs stamped 'BRETEAU' with rope corded seats, circa 1955 France. A similar chair sold in 2009 at Christie's, sold as 'Jean Luc Breteau'. This chair was also stamped and hand crafted in the same fashion, only difference with a leather wrapped seat. It sold for well over the estimate given by Christie's, with Buyers Premium and accounting for inflation the single chair cost around $9,000 to the lucky winning bidder. This set, even more special as a rare set of four, allowing the opportunity to use around a cafe or center table. Three of the four chairs are stamped on the upper circular backrest, as can be seen in the photos. Each chair exhibits unique characteristics throughout consistent with hand-crafted and hand-hammered items. Exceptionally unique, and exquisitely refined. These unique Breteau iron chairs would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as side chairs, dining, cafe or breakfast table chairs...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsIron
$37,700 Sale Price / set21% Off - Robert Venturi 'Queen Anne' Chair for Knoll International, C. 1985, SignedBy Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Robert Venturi, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis rare and sought after set of four (4) collectors pieces are called the 'Queen Anne' chairs by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 and feature a faux olive burl design with tan leather seats. Post-Modern functional art ready to be used as stand-alone collectible sculptures or as chairs. Signed underneath three chairs with Knoll International labels. Please note, the color amongst the 4 chairs are consistent however due to the studio lighting they appear slightly different from chair to chair, this is simply due to the angle and position of the studio photography lights...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLaminate, Plywood
$25,200 Sale Price / set21% Off - McGuire Rattan and Bamboo Cafe Side Chairs with Palm Tree Print Seats, SignedBy McGuireLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn elegant set of four (4) wicker McGuire cafe chairs (signed) that can be used indoor or out. Fabricated from woven wicker that has been finished in a black color with palm tree dec...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsBamboo, Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
$2,150 Sale Price / set40% Off
- (4) Finn Juhl for France & Son Teak Model 197 ChairsBy Finn JuhlLocated in Norwalk, CTStep into the golden era of mid-century design with this exquisite set of four teak Finn Juhl Model 197 chairs. A testament to Juhl’s unparalleled craftsmanship and visionary style, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Model 197 Side / Desk / Dining Chair by Finn Juhl for France & Son, c. 1960'sBy Finn JuhlLocated in Deland, FLDesigned by Finn Juhl for France & Son and imported by John Stuart, a New York designer showroom, this elegant chair was made in Denmark and bares t...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Four Finn Juhl For France & Sons Dining ChairsBy Finn JuhlLocated in Pasadena, TXA set of four mid century modern dining chairs designed by Finn Juhl and made by France and Son. Model 197 with teak frames and upholstered seats and backs.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Fabric
$4,900 / set - Set Six Teak Finn Juhl Chairs Model 197 ScandinavianBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Lyon, FRSet of six dining chairs designed by Finn Juhl Chairs are marked with the France & Son's metal medallion as well as gilt stamped.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Dining Chairs by Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960s, Set of 4By Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Rovereta, SMSet of 4 Scandinavian chairs designed by Finn Juhl and produced by France and Son in Denmark in the 1960s. They feature solid teak structu...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Collectible Chair "197" Design Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960sBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in taranto, ITDanish 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 ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak