Finn Juhl

Danish architect and interior designer Finn Juhl reinvented the art of designing furniture, transcending the limitations of functionality in order to achieve a novel conception of modern aesthetics. He was an advocate of design that was both unflinchingly bold and quintessentially timeless at the same time. His furniture designs were derived to fit the human body which made him stand out from his midcentury peers in Denmark and elsewhere in Scandinavia. Finn Juhl approached furniture shaping from the perspective of a sculptor rather than thinking about practical construction. A perfectionist's attention to detail, intuitive understanding of materials, and innovative sense of construction and combination are the hallmarks of his designs. His innovative approach led to the creation of iconic pieces such as the Pelican Chair, the Chieftain Chair, the 45 Chair, and the Poet Sofa, which have become symbols of Danish modernism. In addition to designing furniture that was intended for mass production, Juhl was also among the first designers to apply small-scale joinery techniques to larger productions.

Whether it's the Poet sofa or the Chieftain and 53 Chairs, the Finn Juhl furniture line has a voice of uncompromising quality, with its excellent craftsmanship and high-quality materials. Besides its enticing softness, Finn Juhl's furniture combines rugged wood frames with a stark modern aesthetic. The Finn Juhl Chieftain chair features a captivating organic shape and a rich teak wood finish that complements any décor. As an interesting aside, Finn Juhl furniture comes in both teak and darker wood, whereas most other Danish Modern designs were primarily produced using oak. 

Finn Juhl chairs are characterized by their floating backs and seats along with their utilitarian upholstery such as wool. As well as being influenced by the abstract sculptures of Jean Arp, Finn Juhl also incorporated tribal elements into his work. The Chieftain chair, his most famous work, has been exhibited alongside images of anthropological weapons as a tribute to his influences. 

The majority of Finn Juhl's furniture designs are made of natural materials, such as elegant timbers and soft leathers or fabrics. The Surrealist art of the time was an influence on his Pelican Chair. According to him, modernist furniture and design should always be associated with modern art. A good example of the integration of modern furniture and contemporary art can be found in the Pelican Chair, eames chair and wire chairs. A pioneer of the Danish Modern movement in America, Finn Juhl is still regarded as one of the world's leading furniture designers. In recent years, Onecollection has been producing all the Juhl’s furniture. Bidsquare online auctions has all of the contemporary Finn Juhl furniture you're looking for to complete the modern decor of your home.

Interesting Facts about Finn Juhl

• The Grasshopper chair exhibited in 1938 did not find commercial interest and was not produced. One of these original chairs was sold for EUR 319,000 at the Art Currial auction in Paris in 2018, 80 years after its creation.
• Despite never completing a formal architecture education, Finn Juhl joined the Danish Association of Architects in 1942.