The Pelican Chair | Finn Juhl | 1940
Finn Juhl’s fascination with surrealism is evident in the Pelican Chair from 1940 – one of his most forward-thinking designs. Although it received early recognition, it was not put into production until 2001, 61 years after its debut. The chair is made with a loose cushion and hand-upholstered in Denmark in textile, sheepskin, or leather. The legs are available in oak, walnut, or black-painted.
The Pelican Chair | Finn Juhl | 1940
Finn Juhl’s fascination with surrealism is evident in the Pelican Chair from 1940 – one of his most forward-thinking designs. Although it received early recognition, it was not put into production until 2001, 61 years after its debut. The chair is made with a loose cushion and hand-upholstered in Denmark in textile, sheepskin, or leather. The legs are available in oak, walnut, or black-painted.
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
-
Oak Dark Oil
-
Oak Clear Oil
Upholstery
Remix
-
183
-
242
-
123
-
163
-
412
-
443
-
612
-
762
-
823
-
933
Hallingdal
-
457 / 100
-
103 / 113
-
227 / 376
-
764 / 110
-
980 / 960
Sheepskin
-
Moonlight
-
Off-White
-
Gotland
Vidar
-
152
-
182
-
222
-
443
-
472
-
582
-
633
-
723
-
1062
-
1511
Watercolour
-
Butterscotch Yellow
-
Cast Iron
-
Dark Conifer
-
Fresh Sage
-
Golden Syrup
-
Himalaya
-
Pumpkin Spice
-
Rose Quartz
-
Soft Linen
-
Peacock
-
Silver Azure
Product information
- Design:
- Finn Juhl
- Year:
-
1940, relaunched in 2001
- Materials:
-
Legs: Walnut, oak or black painted
- Upholstery:
- Textile, sheepskin or leather
- Model and dimensions:
- FJ 4000 (Without Buttons)
- FJ 4001 (With Buttons)
- W: 85 cm | D: 76 cm | H: 68 cm
- Seat height: 37 cm
Pelican Chair with walnut legs and 'Sacho' upholstery in the color 'Safire 0002'.
Pelican Chair with walnut legs and 'Sacho' upholstery in the color 'Safire 0002'.
The Pelican Chair with walnut legs and upholstered in 'Elegance' leather in the color 'Black'.
Finn Juhl's Surrealist Vision
A Chair Decades Ahead of Its Time
Just like the figurative-abstract sculptures of Henry Moore and Jean Arp, Finn Juhl’s furniture echoes the contours of the human body. He used this resonance not just for aesthetics but for function – creating points of support, structurally daring constructions that appear light despite their strength, and organic forms that embrace the seated body.
One of the finest examples of this approach is the Pelican Chair. When it was first presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1940, its caricatured expression and playful, sculptural form was a quiet provocation. Critics called it "a punctured tennis ball" and "a tired walrus", and only the two original pieces shown at the exhibition were produced. For decades, the design remained largely overlooked.
Yet over time, the Pelican Chair has become one of Finn Juhl’s most beloved works. Its organic silhouette blends effortlessly into modern interiors, making it a striking yet harmonious companion to pieces like the Pelican Table and the Poet Sofa.
The Pelican Chair exhibited at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1940.
The Pelican Chair upholstered in black 'Elegance' leather.
From radical debut to timeless classic
A Soft Embrace
Finn Juhl typically named his furniture after the year it was designed, but over time, this chair became known simply as “The Pelican.” Although it gained instant recognition, 61 years would pass before it was finally put into production in 2001.
With its soft, organic form, the Pelican Chair feels almost like a body cradling another – offering a warm, friendly embrace the moment you sit down. Like many of Finn Juhl’s later designs, it allows for multiple relaxed seating positions.
The Pelican Chair with walnut legs and 'Watercolour' upholstery in the color 'Pumpkin Spice'.
Finn Juhl's original drawing of the Pelican Chair from 1940. Photo credit: Pernille Klemp, Designmuseum Danmark
The Pelican Chair with walnut legs and 'Watercolour' upholstery in the color 'Pumpkin Spice'.
