Finn Juhl

"Chieftain" Armchair

Auction Closed

June 7, 06:14 PM GMT

Estimate

40,000 - 60,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Property from a Private Collection

Finn Juhl

"Chieftain" Armchair

designed circa 1949, produced circa 1949-1955

executed by Niels Vodder, Copenhagen

teak, leather

branded CABINETMAKERS NIELS VODDER/COPENHAGEN DENMARK/DESIGN FINN JUHL and with the original Illums Bolighus retailer’s plaque

36 x 39¾ x 33 in. (91.4 x 101 x 83.8 cm)

Grete Jalk, ed., Dansk Møbelkunst gennem 40 aar, 1947-1956, Copenhagen, 1987, pp. 124-125
Esbjørn Hiort, Finn Juhl: Furniture, Architure, Applied Art, Copenhagen, 1990, cover and pp. 23, 40-41, 79, 96-97 and 122
Paul Johnson and Martin Eidelberg, Design 1935-1965: What Modern Was, New York, 1991, p. 187
Noritsugu Oda, Danish Chairs, San Francisco, 1999, pp. 92-93
Arne Karlsen, Danish Furniture Design in the 20th Century, vol. 1, Copenhagen, 2007, p. 151
Arne Karlsen, Danish Furniture Design in the 20th Century, vol. 2, Copenhagen, 2007, pp. 186-189
Per H. Hansen, Finn Juhl: Og Hans Hus, Copenhagen, 2009, cover and pp. 37, 39, 41, 43, 73, 79, 155, 164, 190 and 193

Finn Juhl's "Chieftain" armchair, originally crafted for the 1949 Cabinetmaker's Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen, stands as a revered masterpiece of Danish design from the twentieth century. This particular example, meticulously crafted by the original artisan Niels Vodder, captures the essence of the chair's iconic form, including the original distinctive 'horn' shape adorning each stile at the top of the backrest, which underwent subtle adjustments over the years. The chair retains a sculpted spacer and rubber bumper positioned at the back, serving as a structural component that provides support to the backrest. The rubber bushing, which was phased out in 1955, remains intact in this remarkable piece. Exhibiting exceptional preservation and embodying the design elements of its early productions, the present "Chieftain" chair stands as a remarkable testament to its iconic status.