Orwell Armchair thumbnail 1
Orwell Armchair thumbnail 2
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images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Furniture, Room 135, The Dr Susan Weber Gallery

Orwell Armchair

Model Armchair
1996 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Scale models can play an important part in the design process because they can be produced much more easily than full-sized prototypes. Matthew Hilton designed the Orwell Chair for SCP in 1996. He made a fibreglass mould for a 1:5 scale model of the chair, to show its shape and proportions. This is a cast taken from that mould. It is not painted to look realistic, but Hilton has indicated in pen the dimensions of the finished chair, and minute variations he would like to make to the profile. The cast is inscribed 'Hilton Orwell SCP 02.96', indicating the date of February 1996 when he made it, and he has signed it too, suggesting he was satisfied with it.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleOrwell Armchair (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Fibreglass form covered in unpainted grey filler, wooden front legs, black pen markings and inscriptions
Brief description
1:5 scale model of the Orwell Armchair, designed by Matthew Hilton for SCP in 1996; fibreglass shell covered with unpainted grey filler, with wooden feet; various inscriptions in black pen.
Physical description
1:5 scale model of the Orwell Armchair, designed by Matthew Hilton for SCP in 1996; fibreglass covered in unpainted grey filler with wooden front legs; various outlines, dimensions and inscriptions in black pen.
Dimensions
  • Height: 135mm
  • Width: 182mm
  • Depth: 190mm
Measured from object Re-measured by Jana Scholze and Lucy Wood 1/7/2010: H. 137 x W. 18 x D. c. 17.5 cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • '5' (Black pen on proper left outer face.)
  • 'HILTON ORWELL MODEL SCP 1996' (Black pen on proper left outer face.)
  • Designer's signature. (Black pen on proper left outer face.)
  • Various dimension notes and outlines. (Black pen on proper left outer face.)
Gallery label
Model for ‘Orwell’ armchair (scale 1:5) 1996 Designed and made by Matthew Hilton (born 1957) England (London) End product manufactured by SCP, London Form: fibreglass covered in unpainted grey filler Front legs: wood (the back legs missing) Markings and inscriptions: black pen Given by Matthew Hilton Museum no. W.22-2005 Scale models can play an important part in the design process. They show 3-D shape and proportion but are easier to make than full-sized prototypes. On this model, outlines in black pen indicate suggested amendments to the profile. The dimensions refer to the finished, full-size chair.(01/12/2012)
Credit line
Given by Matthew Hilton
Object history
The final armchair was sold by SCP in solid beech frame with steel springs and elasticated webbing covered in multi-density foam with feather cushions and turned beech legs. Various leathers and fabrics were available. The trade title was MHA 100. The prices varied between £1450 and £2280 depending on the upholstery material.
Summary
Scale models can play an important part in the design process because they can be produced much more easily than full-sized prototypes. Matthew Hilton designed the Orwell Chair for SCP in 1996. He made a fibreglass mould for a 1:5 scale model of the chair, to show its shape and proportions. This is a cast taken from that mould. It is not painted to look realistic, but Hilton has indicated in pen the dimensions of the finished chair, and minute variations he would like to make to the profile. The cast is inscribed 'Hilton Orwell SCP 02.96', indicating the date of February 1996 when he made it, and he has signed it too, suggesting he was satisfied with it.
Collection
Accession number
W.22-2005

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Record createdAugust 12, 2005
Record URL
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