Finn Juhl (b. Frederiksberg 1912, d. Ordrup 1989)
“Ross” coffee table with white painted tubular frame with teak “shoes”. Organic shaped teak top with brass inlay with circular indentation. Designed and made 1948 by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. H. 55.5 cm. L. 119.5 cm. W. 60 cm.
Provenance: Professor Alf Ross. Hence by descent in the family. Finn Juhl designed the furniture for the home of Alf Ross. Only this very table made by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder exists. Hence put into a re-issue serial production. The black-and-white photo shows Alf Ross and family around the table. Present owner is sitting on his lap.
Literature: Anne Louise Sommer “Watercolours by Finn Juhl”. Strandberg Publishing, 2015.
The two original drafts for the table exist in Finn Juhl's sketch archive at Designmuseum Denmark. A version in oak with a green lacquered frame and a version in teak with a white lacquered frame. Alf Ross went with the latter. The other version is painted in the above literature.
The two original drafts for the table exist in Finn Juhl's sketch archive at Designmuseum Denmark. A version in oak with a green lacquered frame and a version in teak with a white lacquered frame. Alf Ross went with the latter. The other version is painted in the above literature. The table is part of a series of tables from around 1945–1950 where Finn Juhl most clearly obliterates the distinction between function and artistic expression. He uses different materials, each of which point to their functional purpose, while at the same time transforming it to a sculpture due to their different colours and shapes. The Ross table with the straight lines on the frame, circle motif on the organic top, balancing on the rounded teak “shoes”, is significantly inspired by the Swiss artist Sophie Tauber-Arp and her works and thoughts on balance and movement. It is furniture art in the most literal sense. The recess in the brass plate is presumably, similar to Finn Juhl's table from 1945, intended to accommodate the tin can with glass lid (Model A1432) that Björn Trägård designed for Firma Svenskt Tenn in 1930. However, there is no memory of it having been present.
Decorative art & design, 21 September 2023