Along with Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl was one of the great masters of mid-20th-century Danish design. Juhl was the first among that group to have his work promoted overseas, bringing the character of the nation’s furnishings — and the inherent principles of grace, craftsmanship and utility on which they were based — to an international audience.
A stylistic maverick, Juhl embraced expressive, free-flowing shapes in chair, credenzas and sofa designs much earlier than his colleagues, yet even his quietest pieces incorporate supple, curving forms that are at once elegant and ergonomic.
As a young man, Juhl hoped to become an art historian, but his father steered him into a more practical course of study in architecture. He began designing furniture in the late 1930s, a discipline in which, despite his education, Juhl was self-taught, and quite proud of the fact.
Juhl’s earliest works, designed in the late 1930s, are perhaps his most idiosyncratic. The influence of modern art is clear in his 1939 Pelican chair: an almost Surrealist take on the classic wing chair. Critics reviled the piece, however; one said it looked like a "tired walrus." Juhl had tempered his creativity by 1945, when the workshop of Danish cabinetmaker Niels Vodder began to issue his designs. Yet Juhl’s now-classic NV 45 armchair still demonstrates panache, with a seat that floats above the chair’s teak frame.
Juhl first exhibited his work in the United States in 1950, championed by Edgar Kaufmann Jr., an influential design critic and scion of America’s most prominent family of modern architecture and design patrons. (Kaufmann’s father commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright’s design of the house “Fallingwater.”)
Juhl quickly won a following for such signature designs as the supremely comfortable Chieftan lounge chair, the Judas table — a piece ornamented with stylish inlaid silver plaquettes — and the biomorphic Baker sofa. After an article authored by Kaufmann on Juhl and his work appeared in the U.S.-based magazine Interiors in 1948, he began receiving American commissions.
Kaufmann commissioned Juhl to create the exhibition design for, and contribute pieces to, the 1951 edition of the Good Design shows he organized for MoMA and Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. Baker Furniture asked Juhl to design for the firm, and he produced a collection of chairs, tables and cabinets, and, later, the 1957 sofa.
Scandinavian modernist seating, such as the chairs and sofas Juhl created for Baker, became immensely popular in postwar America, as the seeds of the Scandinavian style that Juhl sowed took root and spread in the United States. Juhl and his work featured prominently in the landmark show “Design from Scandinavia,” which opened in 1954 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and traveled to 24 museums in the U.S. and Canada; over three years, it was seen by more than a million people.
Juhl’s furniture — as well as his ceramics, tableware and accessories — has an air of relaxed sophistication and elegance that is unique in the realm of mid-century design.
Find vintage Finn Juhl armchairs, coffee tables, desks and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Finn Juhl Judas Dining Table for Niels Vodder, Brazilian Rosewood, Silver Inlay
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Kansas City, MO
Finn Juhl designed "Judas" dining table made by Niels Vodder and retailed by Illums Bolighus of Copenhagen, Denmark, 1950s. This is one of the most important and rare dining tables o...
Silver
Finn Juhl for Baker Square Walnut Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Finn Juhl for Baker Square Walnut Mid-Century Modern coffee table.
Walnut
Two Tier Black Lacquer & Walnut Square End Side Center Table Stand Juhl Baker
By Baker Furniture Company, Finn Juhl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Refinished two tier black lacquer & walnut square end side center table stand Juhl Baker.
Walnut
$69,500
H 28.25 in W 114.5 in D 47.25 in
Outstanding Finn Juhl Rosewood and Silver Inlay "Judas" Dining Table, Restored
By Niels Vodder, Finn Juhl
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and exceptional mid-century Danish Modern "Judas" extension dining table. This iconic table was designed by Finn Juhl, expertly produced by cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, and retailed by Illums Bolighus of Copenhagen, Denmark. The table features an expandable oval top in stunning book-matched Brazilian rosewood, with round silver inlays, floating on a sculptural base with tapered solid rosewood legs. Made in Denmark, circa 1950s. Branded manufacturer’s mark to underside: "Cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, Copenhagen Denmark, Design: Finn Juhl." Measures: 71"W x 47.25"D x 28.25"H. Extends up to 114.5"W with two 21.75" leaves. Professionally restored. Excellent condition. Along with Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl was one of the great masters of mid-20th-century Danish design. Juhl was the first among that group to have his work promoted overseas, bringing the character of the nation’s furnishings — and the inherent principles of grace, craftsmanship and utility on which they were based — to an international audience. A stylistic maverick, Juhl embraced expressive, free-flowing shapes in chair and sofa designs much earlier than his colleagues, yet even his quietest pieces incorporate supple, curving forms that are at once elegant and ergonomic. Juhl quickly won a following for such signature designs as the supremely comfortable Chieftan lounge chair, the biomorphic Baker sofa, and this Judas table, ornamented with stylish inlaid silver plaquettes.
Silver
Finn Juhl Dining Table and Chairs
By Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Highland, IN
This exquisite dining set by Finn Juhl was designed in 1951 and is Classic Juhl. The sculptural frames of the model FJ 51 chairs support the curved seats and backs giving them the ap...
Walnut
$11,631 / set
H 19.69 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Black Lacquer Brass Two-Tier End Tables Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen, 1970s
By Guy Lefevre, Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
Simple lines point to these two-tier end tables french mid-century roots. Designed by Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen, it features silky brass legs, with black lacquered top and drawer...
Brass
$4,652
H 17.33 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Finn Juhl FJ-57 Teak Coffee Table, Scandinavian Modern, Denmark
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Paris, FR
Rare teak coffee model table FJ-57 designed by Finn Juhl in 1957. Top made from highly figured teak wood supported by a black lacquered metal X-base frame on turned teak wood feet. ...
Metal
Modern Walnut Coffee Table
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This modern walnut coffee table is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each table is a hand-made mitered box from walnut v...
Walnut
$13,376 / item
H 13.78 in W 59.06 in D 47.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Coffee Table Calacatta Marble Handmade Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins fo...
Marble, Onyx, Travertine, Brass, Stainless Steel
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
H 24.75 in W 25.75 in D 25.75 in
Vintage Baker Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Carved Square End Table
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
A regal occasional table by Baker Furniture, Circa last quarter 20th century. Inspired by English Georgian & Chinese Chippendale styling. Features a mahogany frame with inset matchbo...
Brass
Finn Juhl Japan Coffee Table
By France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Coffee table designed by Finn Juhl, for France & France, made of old growth teak wood with an oil finish. Professional, skilled furniture restoration is an integral part of wha...
Teak
$4,620 / item
H 29.53 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
Minimalist Brazilian Dining Table "Caroline" by Samuel Lamas
By Samuel Lamas
Located in Brasilia, DF
Caroline Dining Table by Samuel Lamas, 2022 Introducing the Caroline Dining Table, an award-winning piece that embodies the elegance of contemporary Brazilian design. Crafted in a m...
Steel
$1,337
H 15.36 in W 23.63 in D 16.7 in
Teak Coffee / Side Table by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen, Denmark, 1950s
By France & Daverkosen, Finn Juhl
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Elegant teak coffee / side table designed by Finn Juhl and produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark during the 1950s, stamped by the maker. Featuring a beautifully shaped bevel...
Teak
$54,150Sale Price|27% Off
H 28 in W 100.5 in D 55 in
Finn Juhl 'Judas' Rosewood and Sterling Silver Dining Table, c 1950s, Signed
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptionally rare and sought after, this Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder 'Judas' dining table, 1950s Denmark, was professionally restored and features gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood with sterling silver inlaid medallions which assist in tableware placement and gives the table its infamous name. Signed underneath with Finn Juhl / Niels Vodder stamp which reads: "Niels Vodder Cabinetmaker Denmark Design Finn Juhl". The table is expandable, with a 22 inch leaf making the table just over 100" fully expanded. The Judas table...
Sterling Silver
$4,047
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Dining Table in Grey Linoleum Model "Nyhavn" by designer Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Lejre, DK
Nyhavn Dining table designed by Finn Juhl in 1953 and produced by House of Finn Juhl in 2015. The tabletop is finished in grey linoleum with oregon pine edges, supported by orange-la...
Steel
Sold
H 24.02 in W 46.46 in D 29.53 in
Occasional Table Designed by Finn Juhl for Bovirke, Denmark, 1940s
By Bovirke, Finn Juhl
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rosewood veneer and beech. Very rare model. Measures: H 61 cm/ 24" L 118 cm/ 3' 11" W 75 cm/ 29 1/2".
Beech, Rosewood
Finn Juhl Model 535 Teak Coffee Table for France & Son
By Finn Juhl
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
Graceful and rarely seen Model 535 teak veneered coffee table designed by Finn Juhl and produced by France & Son, Denmark. This shape table would be a wonderful focal point to a l...
Teak