Classic Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' Occasional Chair by France & Son
.svg)
.svg)
The 'Diplomat' chair by celebrated Danish designer Finn Juhl for France & Son is one of the iconic Scandinavian designs of the 1960s. In 1963 the Diplomat chair was selected for use in the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber where it remained in use until 2013. The design also won the American Institute of Interior Designers' Award in 1964 and became highly coveted throughout the world.
James France perfectly describes the Diplomat chair in his book on France and Son. "There was a sophistication and sharpness about this range, particularly in the luxurious rosewood, which seems less vernacular and further from the traditional spirit associated with Danish Design". After more than 50 years it remains a stunning chair, perfect for the desk or a table.
Each piece is checked and carefully hand restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
Each piece is checked and carefully restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
- Joints checked and reglued
- Timber cleaned and stains removed
- Veneer repairs if needed
- Surfaces polished / refinished
The items showcased in our gallery are constantly changing – not all items are on display at once.
Please enquire if there is a specific piece you would like to view and we’ll make sure it’s in the gallery.
All pieces are available for collection in person from our Ponsonby gallery. We are also happy to provide a quote for delivery throughout New Zealand.
Please enquire for delivery options.
Classic Finn Juhl 'Diplomat' Occasional Chair by France & Son
Note: We showcase a curated edit from the Mr. Bigglesworthy catalogue. Please contact us to view specific items.
Finn Juhl is almost single handedly responsible for reinvigorating Danish design in the 1940s and 50s, and bringing it firmly to the forefront of the world's stage.
Juhl trained as an architect but taught himself how to make furniture. By throwing out the traditional cabinetry rule books and pursuing elegance of form and function, it is in this realm that he flourished. He created an aesthetic, entirely his own, inspired by biomorphic forms seen in the Surrealist art of the likes of Joan Miro.
At first Juhl's forward thinking designs were too much for the regular Danish public. However, his work was embraced overseas, where he won numerous design awards and was commissioned to design several interiors.
As Juhl's style evolved he began to explore the sculptural possibilities of wood to it's full extent. He experimented with organic and primitive shapes, upholstery and innovative construction. One of his most famous designs is the Chieftain Chair (1949). The seat and backrest seem to float above the wooden frame.
In 1951, Juhl designed the interior for the Trusteeship Council Chamber for the United Nations headquarters in New York City. This was his first American project and not only did Juhl ace the task, he exposed an international audience to what is now known as 'Danish Modern Design'.
