Chieftan Chair by Finn Juhl

Chieftan Chair House Of Finn Juhl. for, Hansen and Sorensen - One Collection. A masterpiece in 20th Century Design: The iconic Chieftan Chair- model FJ 49 A, by Finn Juhl for The House of Finn Juhl. Designed in 1949 by Fin Juhl and affectionately known as the Big Chair. It was first manufactured by Niels Vodder. Due to its design complexity, other cabinetmakers declined to manufacture it. It has been produced by a succession of manufacturers from 1949 to the present day.

The chair frame is now manufactured in Japan because of the complexity and intricacy of the design, also, Denmark has lost the skilled woodworkers that were once able to make the frame. Once the frame has been crafted in Japan it is then shipped to Denmark to be upholstered in leather. This chair is upholstered in rust-red leather that was first used in the design in the 1960s. When the chair was exhibited at the Cabinet Markers’ Guild it was well received and described in Politiken as ‘so full of life that it seems to be almost quivering with vitality.

It is expensive and as delicate as a thoroughbred must be.’ This is a big chair, with a delicate presence. A true collector’s piece.