The giant of mid-century furniture design France & Søn began its remarkable journey as a Danish firm specializing in the production and exporting of Scandinavian design called France & Daverkosen.
British businessman Charles William Fearnley France and Danish cabinetmaker Eric Daverkosen entered into a joint venture in 1936 — France being the investor and Daverkosen the head designer for their small mattress factory. Soon after production started at the France & Daverkosen company, Daverkosen became quite ill.
Concerned for his friend and their fledgling business, France traveled to Denmark, and Daverkosen died soon after his partner arrived. While France was attempting to make arrangements to transfer the company into his hands, World War II erupted, and Germany invaded Denmark. As a British citizen, France was captured and sent to a prison camp in Germany.
While in captivity, France developed several manufacturing ideas to pass the time and to keep his mind focused. He imagined a way to create lightweight wooden chairs that could be manufactured on an industrial scale and transported using an economic flat-pack format. He also thought of a way to retool his mattress factory to create chair backs, seats and sofa cushions.
Once freed, France returned to his business in Denmark and began to manufacture beech and teak goods that were gaining widespread acclaim around the world. He began to surround himself with some of the best Scandinavian designers of the time: Finn Juhl, Grete Jalk and Ole Wanscher, to name a few.
By 1954, France & Daverkosen accounted for 60 percent of all Danish furniture exports and their factory employed 350 people. Charles’s son James joined the company in 1957, which resulted in the name change to France & Søn.
Later, France & Søn was acquired by Danish designer Poul Cadovius, who folded it into the operations at CADO, a company he founded during the 1950s.
On 1stDibs, find France & Daverkosen seating, tables and more.
Set of 3 Arne Vodder Model FD-184 Chairs for France & Daverkosen Vintage Danish
By Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 3 Arne Vodder for France & Daverkosen Model FD-184 chairs. The FD-184 chair by Arne Vodder is a fantastic Danish design, (and a personal favorite of this writer), featuring ...
Teak
Finn Juhl Cognac Leather and Teak Lounge Chair model FD 136
By Finn Juhl, France & Daverkosen
Located in Karlstad, SE
Beautiful lounge chair model FD 136 by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen, Denmark. This chair is features a beautifully shaped teak frame, supporting pillows in cognac coloured leath...
Leather, Teak
6 Danish chairs in teak, caning and leather, model FD 187 Arne Vodder 1956.
By France & Daverkosen, Arne Vodder
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Magnificent Scandinavian dining chairs. The backrests are adjustable thanks to a clever brass mechanism. Designed in 1956, this piece was purchased from the Maison du Danemark (Champ...
Brass
Dining Chair by Arne Vodder for France and Daverkosen, 1956
By Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A dining chair having an exposed solid Bangkok teak frame supporting a wrapped molded seat and back, the back having a unique brass-hinged pivoting adjust...
Teak
High Back Armchair, Peter Hvidt & Orla Mölgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Daverkosen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A high back armchair designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mölgaard-Nielsen having an exposed teak frame with expressive bent laminated curved arms and vintage blue upholstery. Made in Denm...
Teak, Upholstery
Dining Chair by Arne Vodder for France and Daverkosen, 1956
By Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A dining chair having an exposed solid Bangkok teak frame supporting a wrapped molded seat and back, the back having a unique brass-hinged pivoting adjust...
Teak
$6,980 / set
H 38.59 in W 18.9 in D 20.87 in
Set Of Eight Dining Chairs By Arne Vodder Model 422 For Helge Sibast
By Helge Sibast, Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of eight dining chairs made of solid rosewood, wooden back with molded cup piece, seats upholstered in woolen fabric. Desiged in the 1960s by Arne Vodder for Sibast furniture, mo...
Wool, Hardwood
Arne Vodder teak and leather (desk) chair
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in BE
What an Elegant Chair. This chair was designed by one of Denmark's most famous designers. Arne Vodder, who designed it for manufacturer Sibast. Sibast is a respected manufacturer and...
Teak
Pair of Arne Vodder Side Chairs for Sibast Mobler
By Arne Vodder
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of Arne Vodder designed side chairs for Sibast Mobler. These chairs are made of rare solid rosewood and retain original black leather upholstery. Leather upholstery has some cra...
Hardwood
$1,250
H 34 in W 25 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Danish Rosewood Chair, circa 1950-Designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast
Located in Philadelphia, PA
One high end Mid-Century Danish design dining chair in rosewood and leather, 1950s. Designed by Arne Vodder. Original "SIBAST FURNITURE-MAD...
Leather, Wood
$13,505 / set
H 33.47 in W 20.08 in D 22.05 in
Arne Vodder Dining Chairs Model 203 by France & Daverkosen in Denmark
By Arne Vodder
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 6 dining chairs model 203 designed by Arne Vodder. Produced by France & Daverkosen in Denmark.
Brass
$5,636
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 30.32 in
Teak Lounge Chair 136 by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen, Denmark 1950s
By France & Daverkosen, Finn Juhl
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Finn Juhl Model 136 Teak Armchair for France & Daverkosen, Denmark, 1950s Designed and produced in the 1950s, this sculptural armchair by Danish master Finn Juhl is a rare Model...
Wool, Teak
Set of Six Finn Juhl Dining Chairs for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in 1953 by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark, the Model 109 and 59 dining chairs are a rare design. This rosewood set featuring two armchairs and four side chairs has been...
Leather, Upholstery, Rosewood
$3,200
H 32.75 in W 55.5 in D 29 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Sofa by Arne Vodder for France and Daverkosen FD - 161
By Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated, stylish and rare Mid Century Danish Modern sofa by Arne Vodder for France and Daverkersen, model FD - 161 made in Denmark circa 1950's. This example is in very good, ...
Upholstery, Teak
$1,600 / set
H 19.3 in W 23.63 in D 18.9 in
Arne Vodder for Sibast Pair of Dining Chairs in Walnut and Grey Upholstery
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler, pair of dining chairs model '418', walnut, fabric, Denmark, 1960s This model has a characteristic, sculptural frame executed in warm walnut. The sligh...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,850
H 40 in W 25 in D 31 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Danish Modern High Back Lounge Chair FD-145
By France & Daverkosen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very sculptural mid-century modern Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen FD 145 high back lounge chair FD 145, produced in Denmark by France & Daverkosen. This spindle back lounge chai...
Upholstery, Oak, Teak
$2,572
H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in
Lounge Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
An original version of this very stylish lounge chair by Hvidt & Molgaard-Nielsen, the frame in great condition, and the covers freshly recovered in best quality wool fabric in the o...
Wool, Beech, Teak
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Daybed Sofa France & Søn
By France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt, France & Søn
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Daybed vom dänischen Hersteller France & Søn / France & Daverkosen aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa wurde von Peter Hvidt & Orl...
Teak
Midcentury Schaukelstuhl France & Søn Ole Wanscher danish teak
By Ole Wanscher, France & Søn, France & Daverkosen
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Teakholz Schaukelstuhl von France & Son aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Stuhl besticht durch seine minimalistische Formgebung, wurde professi...
Teak
Sold
H 33.27 in W 25.2 in D 20.08 in
Set of Four Teak Armchairs by Arne Vodder for France & Daverkosen
By Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in Madrid, ES
Four armchairs with teak frame designed by Arne Vodder and manufactured by France & Daverkosen in Denmark, circa 1950s-1960s. Upholstered seat and tilting backrest. Labeled France & ...
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 26.5 in W 20.25 in D 30.5 in
Pair of France & Daverkosen, Orholm Danmark Chairs for John Stuart, Inc.
By France & Daverkosen, John Stuart Inc.
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of collapsable scissor chairs produced by France & Daverkosen chairs for John Stuart, Inc. Made in Denmark/Danmark. Each chair measures (without cushions) 20.25" wide, 30.5" dee...
Beech
Sold
H 31.5 in W 28.35 in D 31.5 in
Scandinavian Modern Spade Chair by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen, Finn Juhl
Located in Kramfors, SE
Easy chair designed by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen designed during the 1950s. Original condition with a light natural patina. The chair is a great example of the Mid-Century Mo...
Teak
Inger Klingenberg Set of Four Chairs Model 193
By France & Daverkosen, Inger Klingenberg
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Inger Klingenberg set of four chairs in solid teak. New upholstered with tan vintage aniline leather. Model 193, made by France & Daverkosen.
Leather, Teak
Lounge Chair by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
By France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Model 125 in teak wood and black leather This exquisite Danish modern lounge chair has been recovered in soft black leather and the frame left in original...
Leather, Wood, Teak
Midcentury Lounge Chair by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
By France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Model 125 in teak wood and black leather This exquisite Danish Modern lounge chair has been recovered in soft black leather and the frame left in original...
Leather, Wood, Teak
France and Daverkosen Boomerang Chair by Hvidt & Molgaard Nielsen
By France & Daverkosen, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in New York, NY
Classic form from the Golden Age of Danish midcentury furniture. This is an early (pre 1957) example as the mark reads Fd (France and Daverkosen)...
Brass
Pair of France & Daverkosen Rosewood Slipper Lounge Chairs
By France & Daverkosen
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of France & Daverkosen rosewood slipper lounge chairs.
Danish Rocking Chair by France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A sculptural dark wood rocker with period woven wool upholstered back and bottom cushions, designed and manufactured by France & Daverkosen Denmark but retains the importers private ...
Pair of Teak Lounge Chairs by Grete Jalk for France & Son
By Grete Jalk, France & Søn, France & Daverkosen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of Model 128 lounge chairs designed by Grete Jalk for France & Son in 1963. The chair has an elongated seat framed by broad, boomerang-reminiscent armrests. The open ...
Cotton, Teak
Danish Modern Rocking Chair by France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Teak, low slung rocker by France & Daverkosen, one of Denmark's greatest furniture makers. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ).
Teak, Upholstery