The iconic Grasshopper chair was first exhibited in 1938 at Niels Vodder’s stand at the Copenhagen Guild Exhibition. In a time where ‘heavy’, traditional furniture dominated, the Grasshopper Chair proved to be quite the divisive piece, with many not in favour of the chair’s artistic, expressive appearance.
Relaunched by the House of Finn Juhl, the chair has now become known and respected as one of Juhl’s most pioneering, dynamic designs. With the chair’s grounded legs giving the impression of a grasshopper about to jump, the low-level, slender frame, combined with a tall, enclosed seat, creates a highly comforting, cocooned space. A truly dynamic design, the Grasshopper Chair embodies Juhl’s status as a pioneer of furniture design.
Finn Juhl was born on the 30th January 1912 in Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Although trained in architecture, it was his modern furniture designs that made him an international name. His first pieces of furniture were designed for his own apartment and were manufactured by the young Danish carpenter, Niels Vodder.
In 1946 Juhl got his first major interior assignment at Bing and Grøndahl’s store at Amagertorv in Copenhagen. This later became one of his main works and was awarded with the Eckersberg Medal in 1947. Soon after, he was given the opportunity to help furnish the new headquarters of the United Nations in NY - something which established his name with the American audience.
He is most famous today for his iconic furniture designs including The Chieftan Chair and The 108 Chair which are now produced by the House of Finn Juhl.
