In the Autumn of 1945, Finn Juhl presented the now iconic 45 Chair at the annual Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition. Today, the 45 Chair is widely regarded as one of the most revolutionising and forward thinking pieces within Danish furniture design.
Finn Juhl (1912-1989) was the first Danish furniture designer to be recognized internationally. He studied architecture at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen with Danish architect Vilhelm Lauritzen, but as a furniture designer he was self-taught, a fact he always emphasized.
Juhl began designing furniture in the late 1930s, in the beginning mostly pieces intended for himself, but after setting up his own office in 1945 he soon became known for his unusual, expressive and sculptural pieces.
One of Finn Juhl's most well-known pieces is the Chieftains Chair. Designed in 1949, it is a fine example of Juhl's great idea of separating the sculpturally shaped seat and back from the wooden frame.
