The story behind it

The armchair occupies a special place in Danish furniture art, and for Finn Juhl, it became a place where architecture, art, and furniture craftsmanship could meet. As a trained architect, he worked with a freer and more form-conscious approach than many of his contemporaries. Where the classic cabinetmaking tradition often started with the construction, Finn Juhl, to a greater extent, let the form be the primary starting point.

Finn Juhl armchairs are characterized by their sculptural nature, where the seat, back, and frame often appear as separate elements. This gives the furniture a special lightness and spatial resilience, which has made them some of the most prominent works in Danish design. Several of the early models were made by Niels Vodder, while others were later produced by Bovirke, France & Søn, and Søren Willadsen, among others.

Design and materials

A Finn Juhl armchair is often shaped with organic lines and a clear separation between the load-bearing construction and the upholstered surfaces. The seat and back can almost seem to float in relation to the frame, and precisely this sense of lightness is central to his furniture. At the same time, the proportions are carefully balanced so that the chair appears both prominent in the room and comfortable to use.

The materials vary from model to model and include teak, walnut, oak, and rosewood combined with leather or textile. The interplay between the shaped wooden parts and the upholstered surfaces is crucial in Finn Juhl's design language, where comfort, craftsmanship, and visual clarity are closely linked.

Known models of Finn Juhl armchairs

NV 45 Armchair – an early key model

The NV 45 Armchair is among Finn Juhl's early and most significant pieces of furniture. Here, his work with the freestanding upholstered surfaces is clearly evident, and the chair marks an important step in the development of the design language that later became so characteristic of him. The expression is light and open, yet precise and meticulously crafted.

NV 59 Chieftain's Chair – monumental and refined

The NV 59 Chieftain's Chair is among Finn Juhl's most distinctive pieces of furniture. The high-backed chair has a strong presence and an almost ceremonial demeanor, yet without losing the refined lines that characterize his best works. The wide back, prominent armrests, and precise balance between wood and upholstery make the chair a masterpiece in his production.

NV 53 Armchair – calm and poised

The NV 53 Armchair shows a more subdued side of Finn Juhl's armchairs. The model has a soft and inviting expression, where proportions, comfort, and materials are carefully balanced. The chair appears elegant and well-balanced and fits naturally into both classic and more contemporary interiors.

FJ 51 Armchair – compact and well-designed

The FJ 51 Armchair is a more compact model, where Finn Juhl works within a stricter whole. The soft forms are held in place by a clear construction, and the chair has the inviting expression that characterizes many of his seating furniture. It is a model where formal precision and seating comfort are closely intertwined.

BO 59 Fireplace Chair – warm and welcoming

The BO 59 Fireplace Chair shows a more relaxed and homely side of Finn Juhl's design language. The characteristic armrests and generous seat give the chair a calm weight, while the lines still appear light and well-drawn. The model is suitable both as a freestanding piece of furniture and as a natural part of a larger living room interior.

FD 136 France Chair – lightness in industrial form

The FD 136 France Chair is among the models that made Finn Juhl's design language more accessible to a wider audience. The chair is characterized by an open construction, loose cushions, and relaxed seating comfort. The expression is simpler than in several of the early cabinetmaker models, but the connection between lightness, function, and form is still clear.

SW 86 Armchair – soft and generous

The SW 86 Armchair represents a more spacious and comfort-oriented side of Finn Juhl's production. The model has a soft and inviting expression, yet without losing the precision that characterizes his best armchairs. The chair has a clear presence in the room and a calmness that makes it suitable for longer stays.

FD 133 Spadestolen (Spade Chair) – one of the most recognizable

The FD 133 Spadestolen is one of Finn Juhl's most recognizable armchairs. The name refers to the chair's characteristic armrests, and the model stands out for its open construction and light, elegant expression. The combination of refined wooden details and good seating comfort has made the chair particularly sought after.

Pelican – sculptural and embracing

The Pelican is among Finn Juhl's earliest and most distinctive armchairs. The model is characterized by its soft, embracing forms and its almost bodily expression, where the chair's volume gathers into one unified figure. The Pelican clearly shows his interest in modern art and in furniture as independent formal objects.

Bwana Armchair – full and firm in character

The Bwana Armchair is characterized by its wide back, prominent armrests, and generous seating comfort. The model has a fuller and more inviting expression than several of the earlier chairs, but is still characterized by Finn Juhl's sure sense of line, balance, and proportion. It is a chair with great character and a clear presence.

Japan Armchair – simple and precise

The Japan Armchair shows a more disciplined side of Finn Juhl's design language. The chair is characterized by its clear construction and calm balance between horizontal and vertical lines. The expression is more restrained than in several of his other armchairs, but the finely crafted details and precise proportioning still clearly point to his hand.

FJ 55 Armchair – clean and well-balanced

The FJ 55 Armchair is a model where Finn Juhl works with a clean and clear overall design. The expression is calm, but at the same time contains the movement in the back and seat that gives many of his armchairs their special character. Wood and upholstery are tuned with great precision, so the chair appears both light and well-considered.

Restoration at KLASSIK

At KLASSIK, each Finn Juhl armchair is individually assessed with respect for the original design and craftsmanship. The restoration is carried out with a focus on preserving the chair's materials, proportions, and character, so that the whole appears authentic.

Our workshop has been working with original Danish furniture classics since 1991 and has extensive experience with Finn Juhl's furniture in various models and finishes. For reupholstery and repair, we use high-quality materials, including leather from Sørensen Leather and textiles from Kvadrat, selected with an eye for the furniture's original expression.

Sell your Finn Juhl armchair to KLASSIK

We purchase original Finn Juhl armchairs – including the NV 45 Armchair, NV 59 Chieftain's Chair, NV 53 Armchair, FJ 51 Armchair, BO 59 Fireplace Chair, FD 136 France Chair, SW 86 Armchair, FD 133 Spadestolen, Pelican, Bwana Armchair, Japan Armchair, and FJ 55 Armchair. Send us pictures and relevant information via our contact form, and get a professional valuation based on condition, originality, and demand.

At KLASSIK, we buy original Danish furniture from the 1920s to the 1980s. We emphasize a serious and professional sales process with a focus on correct valuation and dialogue.

Originality, sustainability, and guarantee of authenticity

An original Finn Juhl armchair carries its history in the patina of the materials and the traces that come with use over time. At KLASSIK, we consider these signs to be part of the furniture's quality and lifespan. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of pieces of furniture passing through our hands, we guarantee the authenticity of all furniture in our assortment.

Therefore, we offer a lifelong guarantee of authenticity on all furniture purchased from us. At KLASSIK, you invest in original Danish design – with confidence.

Contact us

Since 1991, we have specialized in the purchase, sale, and restoration of original Danish furniture classics. You are always welcome to contact us or visit us at our store at Bredgade 3, 1260 Copenhagen K.

Phone: +45 33 33 90 60
Email: support@klassik.dk

Instagram: @klassikcopenhagen