Grasshopper Chair | House of Finn Juhl

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The Grasshopper Chair | Finn Juhl | 1938

Designed in 1938, the Grasshopper Chair was one of Finn Juhl’s first attempts at expressing his artistic freedom through furniture. The chair marks the beginning of a long line of designs that would establish Finn Juhl’s name. Though it was never produced during his lifetime, the chair achieved iconic status through numerous illustrations in design literature before finally going into production in 2019. The chair is upholstered by hand in Denmark in textile or leather. The frame is available in oak or walnut.

Wood Type
Upholstery
Leather

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.

Product details

Design:

Finn Juhl

Year:

1938, relaunched in 2019

Materials:

Frame: Oak or walnut

Upholstery:

Textile or leather

Model and Dimensions:

FJ 3800
W: 87 cm | D: 101 cm | H: 93 cm
Seat height: 34 cm

Designed in 1938, the Grasshopper Chair was one of Finn Juhl’s first attempts at expressing his artistic freedom through furniture. The chair marks the beginning of a long line of designs that would establish Finn Juhl’s name. Though it was never produced during his lifetime, the chair achieved iconic status through numerous illustrations in design literature before finally going into production in 2019. The chair is upholstered by hand in Denmark in textile or leather. The frame is available in oak or walnut.

Product details

Design:

Finn Juhl

Year:

1938, relaunched in 2019

Materials:

Frame: Oak or walnut

Upholstery:

Textile or leather

Model and Dimensions:

FJ 3800
W: 87 cm | D: 101 cm | H: 93 cm
Seat height: 34 cm

The Launch of the Grasshopper

A Daring Input to the Furniture Industry

The Grasshopper Chair was designed by Finn Juhl in 1938 and exhibited at Niels Vodder’s stand at the Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen. Two chairs were displayed alongside a mobile bar cabinet and illustrations of exquisite cocktails hanging on the walls. This was quite a daring and extravagant setup compared to the otherwise “heavy” and traditional furniture that was presented at the time. However, people at the fair neither liked nor understood Finn Juhl's provocative exhibition. To help Niels Vodder avoid larger losses, Finn Juhl bought the two chairs himself. These two Grasshopper Chairs from 1938 were the only ones to see the light of day back then, until House of Finn Juhl relaunched the chair in 2019.

Today, the Grasshopper has reached icon status, and the two chairs from 1938 are perceived as some of the most prized collectibles within Danish furniture design. In November 2018, one of the two Grasshoppers was auctioned off for €319,000 at Artcurial in Paris.

The Grasshopper in walnut with 'Nevada' leather upholstery in the colour 'Cognac'.
The Grasshopper in walnut with 'Vegetal' leather upholstery in the colour '90'.
One of Finn Juhl's First Attempts

Artistic Freedom in the Form of Furniture

The Grasshopper was one of Finn Juhl’s first attempts at expressing his artistic freedom through furniture. Standing in complete contrast to his contemporary colleagues, Finn Juhl was neither a trained cabinetmaker nor furniture designer; instead, he studied to become an architect. His lack of technical knowledge has most likely contributed to his furniture exuding artistic freedom.

Finn Juhl was not constrained by what was possible, or impossible. Only with help from master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl’s rudimentary drawings were translated into physical designs. The Grasshopper, despite its apparent simplicity, is exceedingly difficult to construct due to its tricky angles, joints, and complex shapes.

Each Grasshopper sold is sequentially numbered.

Finn Juhl photographed at his and Niels Vodder's stand at the Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition in 1938.
Details of the Grasshopper Chair in oak (clear oil) upholstered with 'Vegetal' leather upholstery in the colour '90'.
“The Grasshopper gives you the impression of something powerful and springy. Just take a look at how each part plays with shape and profile - the round and the concave that gently meets in a delicate joint.”
The Grasshopper in walnut with 'Rami' upholstery in the colour '6331'.
The Grasshopper in walnut with 'Rami' upholstery in the colour '6331'.
Finn Juhl's original drawing of the Grasshopper Chair from 1938. Photo credit: Pernille Klemp, Designmuseum Danmark