Kangaroo

Physical description

The seat and the back are formed from one continuous length of steel rod, approximately 45 feet long. The steel rod is bent nine times at the top of the back and ten times at the front edge of the seat. The rocking part is made of flat section steel.

Place of Origin

UK (designed)

Date

1953 (designed)
1953 (manufactured)

Artist/maker

Race, Ernest, born 1913 - died 1964 (designer)
Race Furniture Ltd (manufacturer)

Materials and Techniques

Painted steel rod and flat section steel.

Dimensions

Height: 73.5 cm, Width: 47.7 cm, Depth: 61.5 cm, Height: 44 cm seat

Object history note

The chair is the most important example of Race's bent steel furniture designs. It was created for the Time Life Building, New Bond Street, London. The 'Kangoroo' was designed for the terrace, but was used also within the interior. It had a chair and a rocking chair version. The seat and the back are formed from one continuous length of steel rod, which was cold bent on a jig. For this process they had to keep the factory doors open to accommodate the rod's unbroke length. The structure of the wire grid of a grill tray of a gas cooker gave the inspiration for the design (according to Alexander Gardner-Medwin).
The chair was a gift from Race to one of his friends, Marianne Straub. She made a gift of this chair to the painter Walter Hoyle. Hoyle owned it until 1996 when he sold it to the fashion retailer and entrepreneur Tommy Roberts.

Historical significance: Only two extant examples are known of this model. One has been kept in the garden, it's condition is poor. The V&A's example is in a very good condition.

Historical context note

The Time Life Building is one of the most important buildings commissioned in London during the 1950s. It was designed by Michael Rosenauer. Henry Moore produced the sculptural works of the screen at the top of the building. He was also commissioned to make a reclining figure for the terrace.

Descriptive line

Rocking chair, 'Kangoroo', commissioned for the roof terrace of the Time Life Building, designed by Ernest Race, 1953.

Production Note

Attribution note: The chair was commissioned for use on the roof terrace of the Time Life Building, not for commercial production.

Materials

Steel

Categories

Furniture

Production Type

Limited edition

Collection code

FWK