About
Founded: 1936 as a venture involving C.W.F. France and Eric Daverkosen
Location: Hillerød, Denmark
Names: France & Daverkosen → France & Son (1957)
Key Figures: C.W.F. France, Eric Daverkosen, James France
Designers: Finn Juhl and others
Later Ownership: Sold to Poul Cadovius in 1966
Story
France & Daverkosen grew from the business established after English businessman C.W.F. France moved to Denmark in 1936 and entered a partnership with cabinetmaker Eric Daverkosen. Daverkosen died in 1937, but France continued the enterprise and developed it into one of the major exporters of Danish furniture during the 1950s.
In 1952 the company began a long collaboration with Finn Juhl. House of Finn Juhl records that the relationship continued until 1969. During the mid-1950s, the company expanded export sales through knock-down furniture designed for efficient shipping and international distribution.
When C.W.F. France’s son James joined the company in 1957, the name changed to France & Son. Furniture such as the France Chair (1956), Japan Series (1957) and 500 Table series (1958) demonstrates how Juhl’s design language was adapted to industrial production without abandoning its characteristic details.
In 1966 the company was sold to Poul Cadovius. Surviving furniture may therefore carry France & Daverkosen, France & Son or CADO markings depending on period and production context, and labels should be interpreted together with model, construction, material and provenance.
History & Works
1936
C.W.F. France moved to Denmark and entered the furniture business with cabinetmaker Eric Daverkosen.
1937
Eric Daverkosen died; C.W.F. France continued the business.
1952
Collaboration with Finn Juhl began.
c. 1954
Exports expanded rapidly; House of Finn Juhl states that the company accounted for around 60% of Danish furniture exports at this point.
1955
Finn Juhl designed the company’s Hillerød offices and created works including the 109 Chair and Sideboard.
1956
The France Chair was designed for the company and for the American market.
1957
James France joined the business, which was renamed France & Son. The Japan Series belongs to this period.
1958
Finn Juhl designed the 500 Series of tables for France & Son.
1966
The company was sold to Poul Cadovius.
1969
Finn Juhl’s long collaboration with the company came to an end.
Furniture
France Chair
109 Chair
Sideboard (1955)
Japan Chair
Japan Sofa — Two Seater / Three Seater
Japan Footstool
500 Series Tables
Imprint / Label
Surviving furniture documents several marking systems from the France & Daverkosen, France & Son and CADO periods. These include circular France & Daverkosen marks, France & Son metal badges or labels and later CADO markings after the Poul Cadovius takeover. Transitional production may show overlapping formats. Labels should therefore be assessed together with model, construction, materials and provenance rather than used alone to assign an exact year.
References
House of Finn Juhl — France Chair / Partnership with France & Son
House of Finn Juhl — Timeline
House of Finn Juhl — Japan Chair / Japan Series
House of Finn Juhl — 500 Table
period labels and surviving manufacturer marks preserved on this page