Behind the design of the Chieftain chair by Finn Juhl
To Finn Juhl, the shaping of furniture was a question of focusing on the humane and organic impressions of a piece.
This demanding intension is what exhilarated Finn Juhl in his work as a furniture designer and this approach is undeniably one of the reasons why there is still so much craze for his furniture to this day.
.resize302080{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize302080{width: 23.021vw;height: 34.583vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi998050{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi391308{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi991730{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi998050{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi391308{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi991730{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi998050{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi391308{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi991730{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi998050{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi391308{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi991730{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi998050{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi391308{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi991730{display: inline-block}}
.resize456918{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize456918{width: 27.552vw;height: 41.354vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi638172{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi260065{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi822212{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi638172{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi260065{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi822212{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi638172{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi260065{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi822212{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi638172{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi260065{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi822212{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi638172{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi260065{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi822212{display: inline-block}}
.resize887534{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize887534{width: 30vw;height: 41.354vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi192472{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi392172{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi526122{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi192472{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi392172{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi526122{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi192472{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi392172{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi526122{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi192472{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi392172{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi526122{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi192472{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi392172{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi526122{display: inline-block}}
One of his most emblematic creations, The Chieftain chair, draws its influence from modern art, customs, and foreign lands. It's because of this design — which represents the peak of his career as a furniture designer — that Finn Juhl is often considered the father of Danish Modern design.
.resize84336{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize84336{width: 25.729vw;height: 24.479vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi453053{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi-92519{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi450874{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi453053{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi-92519{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi450874{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi453053{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi-92519{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi450874{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi453053{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi-92519{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi450874{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi453053{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi-92519{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi450874{display: inline-block}}
With its organic shapes, it has freed itself from conventional Danish furniture design and strict functionality in both shapes, investing in innovative construction and high-quality materials such as leather.
The attention to quality craftsmanship and the design details bring a will to break away from tradition, paving the way to make a difference in the design world.
.resize859593{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize859593{width: 100vw;height: 41.667vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi416524{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi753049{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi521798{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi416524{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi753049{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi521798{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi416524{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi753049{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi521798{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi416524{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi753049{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi521798{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi416524{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi753049{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi521798{display: inline-block}}
Besides, it bears all the hallmarks of Finn Juhl's approach to design. Maintaining its visual lightness that contrasts with the power of leather, the Chieftain chair with its shield-like back and comfortable low seat appears to almost float in the space between the hardwood frame.
.resize553446{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize553446{width: 39.896vw;height: 52.083vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi316549{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi712190{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi410507{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi316549{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi712190{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi410507{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi316549{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi712190{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi410507{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi316549{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi712190{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi410507{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi316549{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi712190{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi410507{display: inline-block}}
The leather upholstery of Finn Juhl’s furniture takes place in Denmark and requires years of experience, extensive knowledge, and last but not least, undying patience.
.resize533963{width: auto;height:auto;}@media (min-width: 961px) { .internal .lz.resize533963{width: 67.708vw;height: 45.156vw;}}@media (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.95), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.9/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 0.05) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi525694{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi718628{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi252510{display: inline-block}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 1.92/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 0.96) and (-webkit-max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (max--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.48/2), (max-device-pixel-ratio: 1.24) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi525694{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi718628{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi252510{display: none}}@media (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25), (-o-device-pixel-ratio: 2.5/2), (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1.25) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi525694{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi718628{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi252510{display: none}}@media (min-width: 1921px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi525694{display: inline-block} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi718628{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi252510{display: none}}@media (max-width: 641px) { .internal .media .lz.high_dpi525694{display: none} .internal .media .lz.normal_dpi718628{display: none} .internal .media .lz.low_dpi252510{display: inline-block}}
Working with furniture upholstery is a challenge, especially furniture as organic as Finn Juhl’s — it takes time to craft a leather piece that will last a lifetime and carry so much history.
Tap here to enjoy more craftsmanship at its finest.