The Chieftain Chair liberated itself from the strict tradition of functionalism, both in terms of organic shapes, unique construction and impeccable quality. Despite its 70 years of age, it has never been more current.
THE GRASSHOPPER FROM '38 THE SCULPTURAL CHAIR IS BEING RELAUNCHED IN MILAN
The Grasshopper was one of Finn Juhl's first attempts at expressing his artistic freedom in the form of furniture. The chair also marks the first in a long line of designs, that would go on to manifest Finn Juhl as one of the greatest designers.
This year, during the design week in Milan, we showcased Finn Juhl's sculptural furniture in two very different setups - at Salone del Mobile and in an apartment installation in the vibrant Brera Design District.
July 1938. Finn Juhl is 27 years old. He has been enrolled at the Department of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Arts in Copenhagen but hasn't finished the studies because he has been hired to work in the studio of one of the most prominent Danish...
You may have noticed that Barack Obama was seated in Finn Juhl's iconic Chieftain Chair during his lecture a few weeks ago in Denmark. But, did you know that he also stayed in the Finn Juhl-suite at Hotel Koldingfjord?The Finn Juhl-suite is located in the main...
One morning in the spring of 1949, the architect Finn Juhl placed a piece of paper on his drawing board and drew four vertical lines with "something" in-between. He had no clue that he had just embarked on the journey towards creating one of the most famous and...
Finn Juhl had the ability to make functionalism unite with aesthetics, which in particular applies to this simple and elegant, extendable table. The wave-shaped cross bar allows you to move your legs freely under the table. At the same time, the table is incredibly practical, because the extension leaves can be stored away inside the table.
This small two-seater was first shown at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1941 and should be seen as a natural progression from the Pelican Chair from the previous year. The upholstery is very slim compared to what was the norm at the time and the result of Juhl’s ambition to create functional furniture for smaller apartments.
In no other design is Finn Juhl’s fascination for surrealism more apparent than in the Pelican Chair. Of all Juhl’s many designs, the Pelican was probably also the one, which was most ahead of its time. When it was presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1940, it stood out with its unusual shapes and sturdy legs.
The Chieftain Chair is one of Finn Juhl’s absolute masterpieces, representing the peak of his career as a furniture designer. At its introduction in 1949, the chair marked a renewal of the Danish furniture design tradition and today it is seen as one of the most important exponents of the Danish Modern movement in the USA in the 1950’s.
Initially, Finn Juhl wanted to become an art historian. Since his early years, he had been interested in fine arts. However, his father wouldn't allow a career in the arts. Instead Finn Juhl enrolled at the Department of architecture at the Royal Academy of Arts in Copenhagen. Finn Juhl began his studies in the 1930s, which was an important period in furniture design, when modern design started to emerge.
Our passion is relaunching Finn Juhl’s furniture, in respect to his legacy, but in a modern reality. The details must be as fine and pure as if it came from the original cabinetmakers’ workshop, but our understanding of quality also includes durability. Our products have to be so durable that they can be enjoyed by users today and by generations to come.
Ever since we opened our first office in Henrik’s mother’s basement in 1990, our mission has been to create a company rooted in the true passion for good furniture design. The playing field is the cross-section where functional design and craftsmanship of the highest quality meet art. The result is joy of life.
