The Egyptian Chair | Finn Juhl | 1949

Design critics have described the Egyptian Chair as a striking fusion of ancient Egyptian design principles, modern aesthetics, and aerodynamics. The chair was first displayed in 1949 at the Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen alongside the iconic Chieftain Chair, which shares some of the same characteristic details, such as the distinctive horns of the frame. The Egyptian Chair is characterized by its unique craftsmanship and it is upholstered by hand in Denmark in leather or textile. The frame is available in oak or walnut.

The Egyptian Chair | Finn Juhl | 1949

Design critics have described the Egyptian Chair as a striking fusion of ancient Egyptian design principles, modern aesthetics, and aerodynamics. The chair was first displayed in 1949 at the Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen alongside the iconic Chieftain Chair, which shares some of the same characteristic details, such as the distinctive horns of the frame. The Egyptian Chair is characterized by its unique craftsmanship and it is upholstered by hand in Denmark in leather or textile. The frame is available in oak or walnut.

Please note that the versions shown here represent only a selection of the many available options. For a complete overview of colors and materials, please explore the material page.

Wood Type

  • Walnut

    Walnut

  • Oak Dark Oil

    Oak Dark Oil

  • Oak Clear Oil

    Oak Clear Oil

Upholstery

Hallingdal

  • 103

    103

  • 100

    100

  • 110

    110

  • 113

    113

  • 227

    227

  • 376

    376

  • 457

    457

  • 764

    764

  • 960

    960

  • 980

    980

Leather

  • Elegance Walnut

    Elegance Walnut

  • Elegance Black

    Elegance Black

  • Vegetal Nature

    Vegetal Nature

Remix

  • 123

    123

  • 163

    163

  • 183

    183

  • 242

    242

  • 412

    412

  • 443

    443

  • 612

    612

  • 762

    762

  • 823

    823

  • 933

    933

Vidar

  • 152

    152

  • 182

    182

  • 222

    222

  • 443

    443

  • 472

    472

  • 582

    582

  • 633

    633

  • 723

    723

  • 1062

    1062

  • 1511

    1511

Watercolour

  • Butterscotch Yellow

    Butterscotch Yellow

  • Cast Iron

    Cast Iron

  • Dark Conifer

    Dark Conifer

  • Fresh Sage

    Fresh Sage

  • Golden Syrup

    Golden Syrup

  • Himalaya

    Himalaya

  • Peacock

    Peacock

  • Pumpkin Spice

    Pumpkin Spice

  • Rose Quartz

    Rose Quartz

  • Silver Azure

    Silver Azure

  • Soft Linen

    Soft Linen

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Product information
Design:
Finn Juhl
Year:
1949, relaunched in 2014
Materials:
Frame: Walnut or oak
Upholstery:
Textile or leather
Model and dimensions:
FJ 4940
W: 55 cm D: 56 cm H: 89 cm
Seat height: 45 cm
Egyptian
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The Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

The Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

The Characteristics of The Egyptian Chair

A Miraculous Mix

Design critics have described Finn Juhl’s Egyptian Chair as a miraculous mix of ancient Egyptian design principles, modern rhythms, and aerodynamics.

Both the Egyptian Chair and the Chieftain Chair are excellent examples of Finn Juhl’s genius within his field and his characteristic way of achieving a “room within a room”.

Detail of the Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

Detail of the Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

Finn Juhl's source of inspiration

A Fascination with Ancient Egypt

The chair was displayed for the first time in 1949 in Copenhagen at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition alongside the acclaimed Chieftain Chair. Riding the wave of success from this particular exhibition, Finn Juhl experienced his international breakthrough and subsequently became known as the father of the famous Danish Modern design style.

Many years later, Finn Juhl himself spoke about a visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where he became so fascinated by an antique Egyptian chair, that he “stole” its construction when he designed his own Egyptian Chair.

Detail of the Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

Detail of the Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

The Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Watercolour' upholstery in the colour 'Peacock'.

The Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Watercolour' upholstery in the colour 'Peacock'.

Egyptian Chair in oak upholstered in 'Prestige' leather in the colour 'Coffee'.

Egyptian Chair in oak upholstered in 'Prestige' leather in the colour 'Coffee'.

RESTAURANT FORMEL B, COPENHAGEN

Discover the Egyptian Chair at formel B

Formel B is anything but basic. The Michelin star awarded restaurant has been paving the way as one of the pillars on the Danish gastronomic scene for nearly two decades. Located on a street linking the two Copenhagen neighborhoods Vesterbro and Frederiksberg, the restaurant is furnished with classic, sculptural pieces designed by Finn Juhl.

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The Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

The Egyptian Chair in walnut with 'Moss' upholstery in the colour '0004'.

Our Partners Around the World

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Locate a retailer near you. Our trusted partners offer a large range of our furniture and will guide you in terms of choosing the right material and finding the perfect piece to fit your need.

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Finn Juhl's original work on paper depicting the Egyptian Chair from 1949.

Finn Juhl's original work on paper depicting the Egyptian Chair from 1949.

Historical Timeline

Finn Juhl's Life and Work

Like other modernist pioneers, Finn Juhl started from scratch without role models or inherited restrictions. He designed by measuring his own body and analyzing how the individual components of the chair should carry the human body. But contrary to his modernist contemporaries, with their streamlined, scaffolding-like structures, Finn Juhl aimed at a more organic and natural form.

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Production and Craftsmanship

We want to continue to shed light upon the great amount of work that goes into producing each and every piece of Finn Juhl's sculptural furniture. It is crucial that the details must be as fine and pure as if it came from the old cabinetmakers’ workshop, but our understanding of quality also includes durability. The furniture has to be so durable that the pieces can be enjoyed by people today and by generations to come. With respect for the tradition and the demand for longevity, we put only the best materials in the hands of the most dedicated and skilled craftspeople.

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