FINN JUHL – PELICAN
Critics describe the chair as a ”tired walrus” and a ”punctured tennis ball”. In reality, the chair is rather a torso, or body in itself, that comfortably embraces the seated person
Finn Juhl’s fascination for surrealism is clearly visible in the Pelican Chair. Among all his designs, the Pelican Chair was perhaps the furthest ahead of its time. The Pelican Chair is produced in two versions – with or without buttons. It is manufactured with a cushion and upholstered by hand in Denmark in textile, sheepskin or leather. The legs are available in oak, walnut or black painted.
During the colder months, Finn Juhl’s characteristic Pelican Chair is available with upholstery in sheepskin from the Swedish island of Gotland. The upholstery adds an individual and unique expression as the natural warmth of the sheepskin emphasizes the organic shape of the sculptural Pelican Chair. It is manufactured with a cushion an upholstered by hand in Denmark. The legs are available in oak, walnut, or black painted. The supply of sheepskin from Gotland is seasonal and therefore the quantity for sale is limited. Please reach out to one of our trusted retails for more information.
FINN JUHL – CHIEFTAIN
In 1949, Finn Juhl presents his most famous and exclusive chair, the Chieftain Chair, at the annual Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition. The design critic Svend Erik Møller proclaims that “Finn Juhl is the undisputed premier furniture designer in the world”.
At the guild exhibition King Frederik takes a seat and Finn Juhl is subsequently asked whether he should name the characteristic chair the King Chair.
However, Finn Juhl’s inspiration had been exotic and foreign cultures, so his response was simply: “it is designed for some chieftain”.
FINN JUHL – FRANCE
During the mid-50s Finn Juhl designs a range of pieces well-suited for industrial production for France & Daverkosen (later France & Son). Despite the industrial production, the range of pieces preserves the characteristic details of Finn Juhl such as the organic shapes and the lifted seat and back.
The British company director “Mister” France produces the designs as “knock-down” furniture, meaning that they have to be assembled at the distributors site which makes it possible to reduce shipping costs to the export markets. France & Son kickstarts the Danish export of design and enjoys terrific success from an ambitious export strategy.
The France Chair was designed for the American market in 1956 and is recognized by its fine details; the seat and back are lifted from the frame while the armrests have the iconic paper knife detail. The chair is available in oak, smoked oak, black painted oak or walnut with hand sewn upholstery in textile, leather or sheepskin.
FINN JUHL – THE READING CHAIR
Denmark is facing an industrialization of furniture production and the potential of new materials is being realized. Finn Juhl becomes an advocate for industrial production of Danish furniture and voices his criticism of the dependency on joiners in the Danish furniture tradition.
In 1953, Finn Juhl designed this simple yet impeccably designed and visually pleasing chair.
Perfectly suited for private homes, hotels, restaurants, and conference facilities alike, the Reading Chair exemplifies unpretentious elegance. Manufactured in oak, it features a back piece of oak and walnut or comes in a fully black painted version, as well as an option in light ash wood. The seat can be upholstered in either textile or leather. Additionally, a version of the chair with a veneered seat is also available.