Finn Juhl for France & Son

FINN JUHL (Denmark, 1912-1989) for France & Son.
Spade chair. Model FD 133, designed in 1954.
Teak wood and leather cushions.
With maker's label.
Bibliography: Grete Jalk: "Dansk møbelkunst gennem 40 aar : Københavns Snedkerlaugs møbeludstillinger 1927-1966". Vol. 3, p. 313.
Shows signs of wear and patina due to the passage of time.
Measurements: 77 x 73 x 70, 40 cm (seat height).
Finn Juhl studied architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. After graduating, he worked for the well-known modernist architect Vilhelm Lauritzen for ten years, until 1945 when he opened his own studio specializing in furniture and interior design. The forms created by the designer were reminiscent of sculpture, and many of his furniture pieces were, at the time, extremely technologically advanced.
Juhl's career took off thanks to his participation in the annual exhibitions of the National Guild of Cabinetmakers and Carpenters, which are held every year in Copenhagen and promote innovation in the world of design, as well as collaborations between young architects and designers and traditional craftsmen. Juhl's collaboration with carpenter Niels Vodder was very successful; among their most important objects are the Pelican and Chieftain chairs.
France & Søn - and its predecessor, France & Daverkosen, are among the most coveted names in today's vintage market. Many of the pieces still in circulation retain their original labels. Their productions were designed by the most important Danish designers of the mid-century, such as Hvidt & Mølgaard, Grete Jalk, Finn Juhl, Arne Vodder and Ole Wanscher.