A PAIR OF SPADE CHAIRS by Finn Juhl Lot n° 8

A PAIR OF TEAK SPADE CHAIRS, BY FINN JUHL FOR FRANCE & DAVERKOSEN, DANISH 1950s, with sculpted 'sling' arm rests, bearing 'fd' label, 75cm (w) x 78cm (h) Finn Juhl designed ‘The Juhl House’ in 1942 and it marked the very beginning of open plan living, with garden views from every room. The organic furniture he designed was made to be comfortable, using the best materials. In the 1950s he began to export his furniture, particularly to the USA. This was the first time that Danish design was seen internationally and so it is Finn Juhl’s designs that people most associate with the Danish aesthetic. This pair of ‘Spade Chairs’ were made in the 1950s and were manufactured by France & Daverkosen, founded in 1948 by the British businessman Charles France and his Danish partner Eric Daverkosen.France and Son was the first Danish design company to have its own factory. They made furniture of the highest caliber and Charles France, the company's founder, refused to join the association for quality in Denmark after its creation, saying that their standards would never match those of his factory. The company came to epitomise the Danish modern aesthetic, working with the major designers of the day including Arne Vodder, Grete Jalk, Peter Hvidt and Finn Juhl The sleek and modern look is a testament to Denmark's designers of the 1960s, who defined modern furniture and created a new wave of decoration with simple lines and quality manufacture. In the early years the company was called France & Daverkosen until Charles's son James joined the company in 1957, resulting in the name change as it is known today, France & Son.