53 Chair | House of Finn Juhl

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The 53 Chair | Finn Juhl | 1953

The 53 Chair | Finn Juhl | 1953

The 53 Chair was introduced at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1953 and has always been one of Finn Juhl’s most sought after pieces. Originally designed for master joiner Niels Vodder, the 53 Chair is defined by an elegant, sculptural expression. The 53 Chair is available in a variety of textiles and leathers with legs in walnut or oak. An optional cushion is available to order.

Wood Type
Upholstery
Leather
Hallingdal
Hallingdal beskrivelse
Remix
321
Vidar
Watercolour

Please note that the actual colours and materials may vary due to different screen balances and settings. While the version shown is supposed to be viewed only as an example, individual material photos can be found via our material page.

Product details

Design:

Finn Juhl

Year:

1953, relaunched in 2020

Materials:

Frame: Walnut or oak

Upholstery:

Textile or leather

Model and Dimensions:

FJ 5325 (With cushion)
FJ 5321 (Without cushion)
W: 71 cm | D: 77.5 cm | H: 73 cm
Seat height: 37.5 cm

The 53 Chair was introduced at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1953 and has always been one of Finn Juhl’s most sought after pieces. Originally designed for master joiner Niels Vodder, the 53 Chair is defined by an elegant, sculptural expression. The 53 Chair is available in a variety of textiles and leathers with legs in walnut or oak. An optional cushion is available to order.

Product details

Design:

Finn Juhl

Year:

1953, relaunched in 2020

Materials:

Frame: Walnut or oak

Upholstery:

Textile or leather

Model and Dimensions:

FJ 5325 (With cushion)
FJ 5321 (Without cushion)
W: 71 cm | D: 77.5 cm | H: 73 cm
Seat height: 37.5 cm

About the 53 chair

Separating the Carrying Elements from the Carried

The 53 Chair is an extravagant piece of furniture and embraces the seated person with genuine comfort. Finn Juhl’s characteristic design feature of separating the carrying elements from the carried is also at play in the 53 Chair. However, this time the separation is achieved via more sophisticated means to give the chair a light and elegant expression. The rear legs, completely free from upholstery, protrude from the floor. In a single, unbroken motion they change direction and expand into an organically shaped armrest, almost animalistic in nature.

The 53 Chair has always been one of Finn Juhl’s most popular and sought-after pieces. It was originally produced in teak and rosewood, which are no longer available. Today, the vintage versions command exceptionally high prices at auctions all over the world.

The 53 Chair in walnut with 'Helia' textile upholstery in the colour '0533'.
Finn Juhl's original watercolour depicting the 53 Chair from 1953. Photo credit: Pernille Klemp, Designmuseum Danmark
The characteristic details

Comfort and Details from a Lost Time

The lounge chair is masterly crafted using solid wood, carefully shaped and positioned to create a unique, organic frame wrapping around the upholstery as if it is levitating. The delicate transitions from the rounded to the sharp elements enhance the unique pattern of the wooden grain. Finn Juhl’s artistic approach to design combined with practical and functional needs bring meaning to each shape and element, such that the chair spoils the user with comfort from a lost time. The armchair is spacious and naturally extends an invitation to be seated. At the same time, the chair keeps the expression light and appears beautiful from every angle. As such, it is extremely well-suited as a free-standing piece for the living room of private residences or lounge areas in hotels and corporate settings.

The 53 Chair in walnut with 'Helia' textile upholstery in the colour '0533'.
The 53 Chair in walnut with 'Blans' upholstery in the colour '01-100' with a cushion in the colour '01-140'.
The 53 Chair in walnut with 'Moss' textile upholstery in the colour '0001'.
The 53 Chair in walnut with 'Moss' textile upholstery in the colour '0001'.