The France Chair | Finn Juhl | 1956

The France Chair from 1956 was designed for the Danish company France & Son and was aimed at the American market. While understated in its expression, it is recognized for its fine details, such as the seat and back being subtly lifted from the frame, while the armrests are adorned with the iconic paper-knife detail. The chair is available in oak, smoked oak, black painted oak, or walnut with hand sewn upholstery in textile or leather.

The France Chair | Finn Juhl | 1956

The France Chair from 1956 was designed for the Danish company France & Son and was aimed at the American market. While understated in its expression, it is recognized for its fine details, such as the seat and back being subtly lifted from the frame, while the armrests are adorned with the iconic paper-knife detail. The chair is available in oak, smoked oak, black painted oak, or walnut with hand sewn upholstery in textile or leather.

Please note that the versions shown here represent only a selection of the many available options. For a complete overview of colors and materials, please explore the material page.

Wood Type

  • Walnut

    Walnut

  • Oak Dark Oil

    Oak Dark Oil

  • Oak Clear Oil

    Oak Clear Oil

Upholstery

Leather

  • Elegance Walnut

    Elegance Walnut

  • Elegance Black

    Elegance Black

  • Vegetal Nature

    Vegetal Nature

Watercolour

  • Butterscotch Yellow

    Butterscotch Yellow

  • Cast Iron

    Cast Iron

  • Dark Conifer

    Dark Conifer

  • Fresh Sage

    Fresh Sage

  • Golden Syrup

    Golden Syrup

  • Himalaya

    Himalaya

  • Peacock

    Peacock

  • Pumpkin Spice

    Pumpkin Spice

  • Rose Quartz

    Rose Quartz

  • Silver Azure

    Silver Azure

  • Soft Linen

    Soft Linen

Remix

  • 123

    123

  • 163

    163

  • 183

    183

  • 242

    242

  • 412

    412

  • 443

    443

  • 612

    612

  • 762

    762

  • 823

    823

  • 933

    933

Vidar

  • 152

    152

  • 182

    182

  • 222

    222

  • 443

    443

  • 472

    472

  • 582

    582

  • 633

    633

  • 723

    723

  • 1062

    1062

  • 1511

    1511

Hallingdal

  • 100

    100

  • 103

    103

  • 110

    110

  • 113

    113

  • 227

    227

  • 376

    376

  • 457

    457

  • 764

    764

  • 960

    960

  • 980

    980

Find a retailer
Product information
Design:
Finn Juhl
Year:
1956, relaunched in 2016
Materials:
Frame: Oak, black painted oak, smoked oak or walnut
Upholstery:
Textile or leather
Model and dimensions:
FJ 1360
W: 80 cm | D: 72 cm | H: 81 cm
Seat height: 38 cm
France (1)
Download files

A wave of international success

The Partnership with France & Son

Finn Juhl rode a wave of international success during the 1950s, partly due to his collaboration with the Danish furniture manufacturer France & Son. C.W.F. France, an English businessman, had moved to Denmark in 1936 to run a small mattress factory in partnership with cabinetmaker Eric Daverkosen, who passed away the following year. The company went on to achieve remarkable success during the 1950s.

By 1954, France & Daverkosen accounted for 60% of all Danish furniture exports, and at its peak, the factory employed 350 people. In 1957, the company was renamed France & Son when C.W.F. France’s son, James France, joined the business. In 1966, the company was sold to Poul Cadovius.

Designed for success

Comfortable Yet Elegant

The France Chair was designed for the American market in the late 1950s and originally delivered flat-packed as knock-down furniture – a core part of France’s successful business model in the US. Today, however, the chair is delivered fully assembled.

Though one of the few Finn Juhl chairs made for industrial production, it retains fine detailing. The seat and backrest are lifted from the frame, and the armrests feature the iconic paper knife detail found on the 45 Chair.

With its striking organic wooden frame and hand-upholstered leather or textile seat and back, the France Chair has a timeless elegance. Whether in a home office, living room, or lobby, it embodies the perfect balance of organic design and exceptional comfort.

Two France Chairs as part of Finn Juhl's interior of the residence of the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington D.C. Photo: Designmuseum Danmark.

The France Chair in walnut with 'Prestige' leather in the colour 'Cognac’.

The France Chair in walnut with 'Prestige' leather in the colour 'Cognac’.

Protecting the Legacy

Our Approach

In 2001 we, Ivan Hansen and Hans Henrik Sørensen, were officially trusted with the exclusive rights to manufacture and relaunch Finn Juhl’s sculptural and iconic furniture by Finn Juhl’s widow Hanne Wilhelm Hansen. Today the unique Finn Juhl collection consists of more than 50 classic masterpieces, all of which we manufacture with the utmost respect for the original heritage and strict demands for quality.

Discover

Our Partners Around the World

Production and Craftsmanship

We want to continue to shed light upon the great amount of work that goes into producing each and every piece of Finn Juhl's sculptural furniture. It is crucial that the details must be as fine and pure as if it came from the old cabinetmakers’ workshop, but our understanding of quality also includes durability. The furniture has to be so durable that the pieces can be enjoyed by people today and by generations to come. With respect for the tradition and the demand for longevity, we put only the best materials in the hands of the most dedicated and skilled craftspeople.

Discover
The France Chair in smoked oak with 'Watercolour' textile upholstery in the colour 'Cast Iron'.

The France Chair in smoked oak with 'Watercolour' textile upholstery in the colour 'Cast Iron'.

Our Partners Around the World

Find a Retailer

Locate a retailer near you. Our trusted partners offer a large range of our furniture and will guide you in terms of choosing the right material and finding the perfect piece to fit your need.

Discover

#houseoffinnjuhl