THE PELICAN CHAIR | GOTLAND SHEEPSKIN | FINN JUHL | 1940
Once a year, Finn Juhl's characteristic Pelican Chair becomes available with sheepskin from the Swedish island of Gotland. When the Pelican is upholstered in sheepskin from Gotland, the expression of the upholstery is entirely defined by nature. This means that each and every Pelican Chair will have an original and individual expression that emphasizes the characteristic and animalistic nature of the chair. The chair is upholstered by hand in Denmark and the legs are available in oak, walnut, or black painted. The supply of sheepskin from Gotland is seasonal and therefore the quantities for sale are limited.
Please note that the actual colours and materials may vary due to image editing and differences in screen balances and settings. The versions shown are intended to serve only as examples. We kindly encourage you to view the physical material samples at our official retailers. Learn more about our materials here: material page.
Design:
Finn Juhl
Year:
1940, relaunched in 2001
Materials:
Legs: Walnut, oak or black painted
Upholstery:
Gotland Sheepskin
Model and Dimensions:
FJ 4000 (With Buttons)
FJ 4001 (Without Buttons) W: 85 cm | D: 76 cm | H: 68 cm
Seat height: 37 cm

Once a year, Finn Juhl's characteristic Pelican Chair becomes available with sheepskin from the Swedish island of Gotland. When the Pelican is upholstered in sheepskin from Gotland, the expression of the upholstery is entirely defined by nature. This means that each and every Pelican Chair will have an original and individual expression that emphasizes the characteristic and animalistic nature of the chair. The chair is upholstered by hand in Denmark and the legs are available in oak, walnut, or black painted. The supply of sheepskin from Gotland is seasonal and therefore the quantities for sale are limited.
Design:
Finn Juhl
Year:
1940, relaunched in 2001
Materials:
Legs: Walnut, oak or black painted
Upholstery:
Gotland Sheepskin
Model and Dimensions:
FJ 4000 (With Buttons)
FJ 4001 (Without Buttons) W: 85 cm | D: 76 cm | H: 68 cm
Seat height: 37 cm

The island of Gotland is located in the Baltic Sea, 200 kilometres from Stockholm. With its large pine forests and beautiful coastlines, the island offers unique nature. The island is home to the Gotland Pelt Sheep, a highly active and social breed which has adapted to the harsh Scandinavian climate. Besides being both hardy and robust, the Gotland Sheep are particularly known for one thing - their significant greyish and curly coat.
Upholstery Dictated by Nature
From dense, almost frizzy, to large shiny soft curls. Each individual sheep is unique, and no two hides are alike. By nature, the colour of the the coat can vary from light grey to dark gray with shades of both white and black. The hides are all natural and thus no colour is added in the process. When the Pelican is upholstered in sheepskin from Gotland, the expression of the upholstery is therefore entirely defined by nature. This means that each and every Pelican Chair will have an original and individual expression that emphasizes the characteristic and animalistic nature of the chair. Therefore, it is not possible to order a Gotland Pelican in a specific colour as all chairs vary and meld in different ways, which is a part of the character and natural beauty of the sheepskin.
The Soft Sheepskin is as if Made for Finn Juhl's Organically Shaped Pieces
The characteristic, soft and organic shape of the Pelican Chair is almost like a body embracing the body of the seated person. When you sit down, the chair rewards you with a friendly hug. As goes for so many of Finn Juhl's pieces, the Pelican generates a space within itself, which encourages immersion and closeness. The encounter between the soft shapes of the Pelican Chair and the natural feel of the Gotland sheepskin only amplifies this feeling, instantly adding both warmth and sensuousness to any interior. Moreover, the sheepskin is extremely hard-wearing and does not attract dust or dirt, making it easy to take care of.
When House of Finn Juhl chose to relaunch the Pelican Chair in 2001, it was crucial that it was on the basis of Finn Juhl's first prototype, his drawings and the original methods. To this day, the Pelican Chair is still being manufactured in Denmark. The chair is upholstered by hand - a traditional craft only mastered by few very skilled upholsterers.