Finn Juhl easy chairs

This rare pair of easy chairs, model Spade, was designed by Finn Juhl and produced by France & Son in Denmark. The Spade chair is a quintessential representation of Juhl’s organic modernist vision, where sculptural aesthetics are married with ergonomic function. Created during the mid-20th century, this model reflects Juhl’s approach to furniture as a dynamic interface between form, craftsmanship, and human interaction.

The frames are constructed from solid teak, a favored material in Scandinavian design due to its durability and expressive grain. The wood has aged gracefully, maintaining a warm reddish-brown tone with clearly visible, fine-grained patterns. The silhouettes are softly contoured, marked by a flowing profile that extends from the gently angled backrest to the forward-reaching arms. The armrests, broad and flattened at the ends, resemble the shape of a spade—a visual and tactile element that gives the chair its name. This form not only provides functional support but also exemplifies Juhl’s ability to integrate subtle visual metaphors into everyday furniture.

The seats and backrests have been newly reupholstered in a vibrant turquoise wool fabric. This choice of material and color introduces a contemporary freshness while staying true to the mid-century aesthetic language. The fabric is tightly woven and durable, offering a pleasant texture and long-term resilience. The contrast between the saturated turquoise and the natural warmth of the teak lends a dynamic visual balance, enhancing the sculptural quality of the design.

Structurally, the chairs are supported by tapered legs that give them a lifted, lightweight appearance. The proportions are carefully resolved to provide comfort without excess volume, a hallmark of Juhl’s design ethos. The condition is excellent: the upholstery is new and crisp, while the teak frames remain stable and well-preserved, showing only minor signs of age-related wear such as faint surface marks and a consistent finish.

Finn Juhl (1912–1989) was a central figure in the Danish modern movement, known for his expressive, furniture-as-art approach and his pioneering work in shaping postwar Danish design identity. His collaborations with France & Son allowed his designs to be produced at scale without compromising craftsmanship. The Spade chair model is one of his more refined and human-centered seating designs, distinguished by its organic forms and architectural clarity.

Each chair measures 73 cm in height, 80 cm in width, 80 cm in depth, with a seat height of 40 cm. In inches, this translates to approximately 28.7 inches high, 31.5 inches wide, 31.5 inches deep, and 15.7 inches seat height.