Finn Juhl easy chair

This rare easy chair, model Spade (FD 133), was designed by the Danish architect Finn Juhl in 1954 and produced by France & Søn in Denmark. The chair’s name derives from the distinctive shape of its armrests, which resemble the handle of a spade—a design element that exemplifies Juhl’s sculptural and organic approach to furniture. This model represents Juhl’s evolution toward more accessible, serially produced furniture while retaining the expressive forms and meticulous detailing characteristic of his earlier handcrafted pieces.

The frame is crafted from solid rosewood, prized for its rich, deep brown coloration and complex grain patterns with subtle tonal variations. The wood has been finely finished with a satin sheen that highlights its natural texture without obscuring the material’s inherent qualities. The legs are gently tapered, with the rear legs extending upward to form the open, curved arm supports that define the chair’s distinctive silhouette. The spade-shaped ends of the arms are smoothly rounded, visually anchoring the upper structure and adding a sculptural quality to the piece.

The seat and backrest have been newly reupholstered in a two-tone wool fabric combining a dark charcoal shade for the seat with a lighter heather grey for the backrest. This color scheme maintains a connection to mid-century textile palettes while providing a subtle contrast. The upholstery closely follows the original contours of the chair, featuring firm internal padding and crisp edges that align with the geometry of the rosewood frame. The seat is slightly recessed between the side stretchers, enhancing the “floating” effect typical of Juhl’s lounge chair designs.

Finn Juhl was a pioneering figure in Danish modernism, renowned for his organic and expressive furniture forms and for playing a significant role in introducing Danish design to the American market. His collaboration with France & Søn facilitated wider international distribution of his designs without compromising production quality. The Spade chair stands as a refined example of this partnership, successfully balancing industrial feasibility with sculptural artistry.

This chair is in excellent restored condition, with recently completed upholstery and a well-preserved rosewood frame exhibiting only minor signs of age. The dimensions measure 73 centimeters in width, 71 centimeters in depth, and 78 centimeters in height, with a seat height of 40 centimeters (approximately 28.7 inches W x 28 inches D x 30.7 inches H, seat height 15.7 inches).