Not currently on display at the V&A

Ax Chair

Armchair
1950 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Although not immediately apparent, this chair is designed to be easily dismantled. The upholstery (which has been replaced) is fitted into channels in the wooden frame, and can be removed by pulling it forward from the front of the seat, and the stretchers unscrew. Each side of the chair is a single laminated wood unit comprising of the front and back legs, the side rail of the seat, the upright of the back, and the arm. The chair is more usually seen with a plywood seat and back that are not removable. This example belonged to Jack Pritchard, the founder of Isokon, the innovative modern furniture manufacturer in the 1930s. He used it in his weekend house in Blythburgh, Suffolk, which he built in 1962.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Armchair
  • Upholstery
TitleAx Chair (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Laminated wood armchair with fabric seat and back and original upholstery sample, designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard Nielsen, manufactured by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1950
Physical description
Armchair with laminated wood frame and replacement fabric upholstery
Gallery label
AX CHAIR Designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard-Nielsen Made by Fritz Hansen Laminated wood and replacement fabric upholstery Danish, 1950 Although not immediately apparent, this chair is designed to be easily dismantled. The upholstery is fitted into channels in the wooden frame, and can be removed by pulling it forward from the front of the seat, and the stretchers unscrew. This example belonged to Jack Pritchard, the founder of Isokon, the innovative modern furniture manufacturer in the 1930s, He used it in his weekend house in Blythburgh, Suffolk, which he built in 1962. W.11-2005(2005-2006)
Credit line
Given by Jonathan and Maria Pritchard
Summary
Although not immediately apparent, this chair is designed to be easily dismantled. The upholstery (which has been replaced) is fitted into channels in the wooden frame, and can be removed by pulling it forward from the front of the seat, and the stretchers unscrew. Each side of the chair is a single laminated wood unit comprising of the front and back legs, the side rail of the seat, the upright of the back, and the arm. The chair is more usually seen with a plywood seat and back that are not removable. This example belonged to Jack Pritchard, the founder of Isokon, the innovative modern furniture manufacturer in the 1930s. He used it in his weekend house in Blythburgh, Suffolk, which he built in 1962.
Collection
Accession number
W.11:1, 2-2005

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Record createdAugust 2, 2005
Record URL
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