The Table Finn Juhl Kept for Himself

Among the many masterpieces created by Danish architect Finn Juhl, one table holds a uniquely personal place in his story: the ‘FJ44’ extendable dining table. Executed by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder, the table was first presented at the Cabinetmakers’ Guild exhibition at the Kunstindustrimuseet in Copenhagen in 1944, alongside the iconic FJ44 chair.

Critics of the Cabinetmakers' Guild exhibition observed a new sense of restraint in Juhl's work, highlighting the dining table as "a new and interesting kind of extension table.” These years between 1944 and 1949 marked Juhl’s breakthrough as a designer, when he created some of his most celebrated works, from the sculptural FJ44 armchair to the now legendary Chieftain chair (FJ49).

Unlike most exhibition pieces, however, this table was not purchased by a collector. Instead, it remained in Juhl’s own home, becoming part of the private collection he shared with his first wife, Inge-Marie Skaarup. After Juhl and Inge-Marie Skaarup separated, the table was acquired by Niels Vodder Jr., ensuring its survival as a singular piece of 20th-century Scandinavian design. Only one other version of this dining table has ever been recorded: a shorter version, measuring 270 cm, made in teak with legs covered in black and white Formica — a simpler interpretation that underscores the unique craftsmanship of Juhl’s table.

Juhl’s decision to keep the table, rather than sell or reproduce it, highlights its importance to him. He took great pride in his private collection, which he curated while designing and furnishing his home in Ordrup, just outside of Copenhagen, in 1942. The house stands today as a landmark of 20th-century Scandinavian design, showcasing his sources of inspiration and blending Danish modern furniture, contemporary art, fine crafts, and Japanese objects. He often collaborated with contemporary Danish artists during that time, and he was particularly captivated by Vilhelm Lundstrøm’s later works, which he featured repeatedly in his furniture exhibitions.

“One shouldn’t despair over the fact that some of the developments one has hoped for were never produced but only became a beginning. Perhaps they will be revived someday in the future if necessary or reasonable, when the time is ripe” - Finn Juhl

Finn Juhl was consistently ahead of his time, designing pieces that could only be produced by hand and often in very limited numbers. By pushing boundaries and challenging what was possible, he pioneered new techniques that went on to influence generations of Scandinavian furniture designers and helped shape the language of 20th-century design. Today, industrial production has finally caught up with many of his ideas, making it possible to realise designs that were once too complex to manufacture. As Juhl himself foresaw, “the time has become ripe.”