Danish Modern Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' Desk by France & Son, Denmark
View Similar Items
Danish Modern Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' Desk by France & Son, Denmark
About the Item
- Creator:Finn Juhl (Designer),France & Søn (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 74.81 in (190 cm)Length: 29.53 in (75 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1962
- Condition:Beautifully refinished condition and very complete: locks that work (2 keys included) & interior of drawers with authentic wooden dividers (often missing). No further remarks. All shipping quotes includes custom crating & insurance.
- Seller Location:Utrecht, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU932715925802
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 by France & Son, All New Premium UpholsteryBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Utrecht, NL"Japan" series sofa by Finn Juhl, designed in 1957 made by France & Son Denmark. Immaculate condition solid teak frame with brass brackets and details. The sublime simplicity of ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak, Wool, Linen
- Danish Desk by Erik Riisager Hansen, Haslev Møbelsnedkeri, DenmarkBy Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Erik Riisager Hansen 1Located in Utrecht, NLVintage teak desk, model 66, designed by Danish designer Erik Riisager Hansen, executed by Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark. A Haslev label with model number can be found underneath of...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Arm Chair Model 53 by Finn JuhlBy Finn JuhlLocated in Utrecht, NLChair model 53 was originally designed by Finn Juhl in 1953 and is one of the most appreciated designs from his oeuvre. It's an extravagant piece of furniture. It integrates the ligh...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Finn Juhl Armchair BO-46 - 1st. Original Savak Fabric UpholsteryBy Finn Juhl, BovirkeLocated in Utrecht, NLA rare and early example of armchair model BO-46 by Finn Juhl for Bovirke Denmark. Arm chair model BO-46 was designed by Finn Juhl in 1953 based upon his earlier designed chair model...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- BO611 Swivel Desk Chair by Jorgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius - Bo-Ex, DenmarkBy Jørgen Kastholm & Preben FabriciusLocated in Utrecht, NLRare model BO611 swivel chair by Jorgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, manufactured by Bo-Ex Denmark from 1968. Fibreglass reinforced polyester shell upholstered in a beautiful heavy q...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- First Edition Arne Jacobsen 3117 Desk Swivel Chair by Fritz HansenBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Utrecht, NLArne Jacobsen swivel desk chair model 3117 office chair. Original, first series four-star swivel base with chromed steel feet on casters. Designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1955. The chair has a new handstitched upholstery exactly like the original. This unique craftsmanship detail is an important feature of the original design and is rarely found on re-upholstered AJ chairs...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Scandinavian Modern Diplomat Desk in Rosewood by Finn Juhl For France & SonBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Lejre, DKDiplomat desk in rosewood designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by France & Son in the 1960s. The desk is in great vintage condition. This product will be inspected thoroughly at o...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Mid-Century Modern Teak FD-951 Diplomat Desk by Finn Juhl for France & SønBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Amsterdam, NLMagnificent and large Mid-Century Modern executive Diplomat FD-951 desk. Design by Finn Juhl for France & Søn. Striking Danish design from the 1960s. Solid teak and original teak ven...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Rosewood "Diplomat" Desk by Finn JuhlBy Finn Juhl, France & DaverkosenLocated in VANCOUVER, CARosewood Danish desk by Finn Juhl for France & Son, circa 1960's. The "Diplomat" desk provides an inviting and spacious surface for productivity. Beautiful grain patterns and sleek t...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Danish Teak Dining Table by Finn Juhl for France & Søn, 1960sBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Asaa, DKVintage Danish dining table by Finn Juhl for France & Søn 1960s Large teak table Model Diplomat by Danish architect Finn Juhl, designed in 1962. Suit...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsTeak
- 1960s Finn Juhl France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak Made in DenmarkBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a 1960's Finn Juhl for France & Son Technocrat Desk Model 963 in Teak. Overall this item is in very good to excellent condition. The wood top is free from any major scratches, stains, or major imperfections. It has aged quite nicely and shows a gorgeous and very subtle patina. The drawers open easily and the metal finish on the legs are intact and clean. The bottom of the desk top from the ground is 26-1/2" but total clearance from the ground is 24-3/4" to the middle support beam. This piece came from a notable modern estate in Boston. It was purchased from Machine Age by the previous owner. The Eames aluminum chair...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- 1960s Finn Juhl Fully Restored Diplomat Teak Side Table by France and SonBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Knebel, DK1960s Finn Juhl Fully Restored Diplomat Teak Side Table by France and Daverkosen. Finn Juhl designed a series of furniture´from 1961 and forward called the Diplomat series with chai...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTeak