Model FD - 164 by Arne Vodder for France and Søn, High Back Teak Recliner

An elegant and highly collectible high-back lounge chair model FD164 designed by Arne Vodder for France & Søn in Denmark during the 1960s. This model perfectly represents the refined balance between sculptural form and comfort that defines the best of Danish mid-century design.
The chair features a beautifully crafted solid teak frame, characterised by gently tapered legs and finely shaped armrests that appear to float above the seat. The construction is light yet extremely strong, showcasing the high level of craftsmanship that made France & Søn internationally renowned during the golden era of Scandinavian furniture.
This example has been fully restored in our workshop. The teak frame has been carefully cleaned, refreshed and finished with natural oils to enhance the depth of the wood grain. The cushions have been newly upholstered in premium ivory bouclé, adding warmth, texture and a contemporary softness while preserving the chair’s timeless Scandinavian aesthetic.
The high backrest with integrated head cushion provides excellent support, making this chair ideal for long, relaxed seating.
 
Designer: Arne Vodder
 
Model: FD-164
 
Manufacturer: France & Søn / France & Daverkosen
 
Place of Origin: Denmark
 
Period: Mid Century
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Date of Origin: circa 1960
 
Material: Teak Wood, Boucle
 
Color: Ivory
 
Arne Vodder was born in Denmark in 1926. Trained as a cabinetmaker and architect, he studied under Finn Juhl at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, graduating in 1947. After school, he worked as a designer at Hindsgaul in Copenhagen, focusing primarily on office décor. In 1950, Vodder launched his own architecture and design studio with architect Anton Borg. Over the years, the studio moved to a few locations within Copenhagen before ultimately settling in the suburb of Holte, north of the city. Together, the two designed furniture as well as several low-cost houses. Vodder and Borg collaborated until the 1970s.
Vodder is best known for his furniture designs, which tended to be simple pieces composed of natural materials such as rosewood and teak, often inspired by the natural forms, and occasionally accented with colorful panels. Vodder worked with several respected brands throughout his career, designing cabinetry, tables, seating, and more for furniture makers Fritz Hanson, France & Søn, Nielaus, Sibast, Kircodan (for which he designed garden furniture), as well as the department store Havemanns Magasin A/S (for which he designed the interiors), among others.
While Vodder is less well known today than some of his contemporaries, his work was well received throughout his lifetime. In fact, between the 1950s and ’70s, Vodder’s furniture designs were used by President Jimmy Carter in the White House and President Anwar Sadat in Cairo, and were also included in the United Nations Office in Geneva, as well as in a number of hotels, banks, and embassies worldwide. 
Arne Vodder passed away in 2009.
 
France & Søn—and its predecessor, France & Daverkosen—are among the most sought after names on the vintage market today. Numerous pieces that are still in circulation retain their original identifying labels and were designed by major midcentury Danish designers, like Hvidt & Mølgaard, Grete Jalk, Finn Juhl, Arne Vodder, and Ole Wanscher. It's surprising, then, that so little information about the company's history and evolution has survived.