873/​1007

Finn Juhl (b. Frederiksberg 1912, d. Ordrup 1989)

“FJ 53”. A Brazilian rosewood living room suite consisting of a rare three seater sofa and a pair of matching easy chairs with “floating” armrests on brass fittings. Sides, seat and back upholstered with light wool. Designed 1953. These examples made 1950–1960s by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, stamped by maker. Retailed by Illums Bolighus and with retailer's metal tag. Sofa: L. 185 cm. (3)

Provenance: Private Danish collection.

Model presented at The Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition at Designmuseum Danmark, 1953.

Literature: Grete Jalk [ed.]: “40 Years of Danish Furniture Design”, vol. 3, ill. pp. 270–271.

When the “FJ 53” was introduced it was met with some resistance. The soft shapes of the seat and the highly sculpted armrest were seen as clashing with each other. But it was exactly this combination of the comfortable overstuffed easy chair with a modern, organic and sculptural look that resulted in the “FJ 53” model becoming one of the biggest commercial successes for Niels Vodder and Finn Juhl.

Condition

Condition report on request.

Items that are made of Brazilian rosewood or contain parts of it, require a CITES export permit in order to be exported from Denmark to a country outside The European Union. Buyers residing outside the European Union are required to obtain this permit.

Auction

Design: Nordic Masters, 27 September 2017

Category

Modern Furniture

Estimate

150,000–200,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

175,000 DKK