First presented by Finn Juhl at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1940, the Pelican Chair quickly stood out with its unique shape and bold, sturdy legs. The characteristic soft and organic shape is almost like a body holding a body.
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.
