Lost Danish Treasure

• Lost Danish Treasure leverages modern-day research efforts to tell, for the first time, the complete story of Finn Juhl?s iconic Chieftain Chair, and tells the tale of how a priceless watercolour of Danish Modern?s most iconic design was rediscovered
• For the first time, Lost Danish Treasure organises, documents, and analyses Finn Juhl?s watercolours for the Copenhagen Cabinetmaker?s Guild Exhibitions between 1940-1949
• Research done for Lost Danish Treasure sheds new light on the origins and identity of the very first Chieftain Chair

Growing up, almost every kid dreams of finding buried treasure. That dream slowly fades with age as they realise that Blackbeard never visited their backyard. For some, the search for treasure continues in their adult lives in other ways. Metal detectors and shovels may be replaced with online searches and library visits, but the thrill of the hunt is still alive, ever driving the quest forward.

Lost Danish Treasure tells the tale of two stories: 1) the history of Finn Juhl?s iconic Chieftain Chair and a long-forgotten painting that preceded it, and 2) the individual connections to this design by a small group of collector researchers. Although starting in different eras and timelines, the two accounts start to intertwine over the course of the book, with the research efforts of today helping to unravel the mysteries of the past. As each chapter unfolds, more and more clues are revealed that slowly weave the storylines closer together? until the summer of 2021, when both accounts collided after Lot 242 popped up in an auction house in Chicago. The result of the subsequent analysis sheds new light about the origins and identity of the very first Chieftain Chair.

Review

About the Author

Carl J. D?Silva, FAIA, is an award-winning architect based in Chicago. For the last 30 years, he has helped deliver large complex projects around the world, and is currently a Principal at Perkins&Will. He has been collecting and researching Danish Modern furniture since 2011.