Not currently on display at the V&A

Dr Sonderbar

Armchair
1983 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This steel chair was designed by French designer Phillipe Starck (b. 1949) in 1983 and manufactured by xO. Marketed by xO as 'the seat of an air pilot.' It reflects Phillipe Starck's early facination with aviation. Starck is quoted describing his childhood, 'I grew up on airfields...'. He and his father revelled in the 'continuing adventure of French aviation'. (Lloyd Morgan, Conway: Phillipe Starck, Universe, 1999, p.38)


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleDr Sonderbar (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Tubular steel, perforated sheet steel, nickel finish.
Brief description
Three-legged steel chair, designed by Phillipe Starck in 1983, manufactured by xO
Physical description
A three-legged chair in steel. The chair is made from three straight steel bars (which form the legs) and two curved pieces of steel forms the back and the arms of the chair. The second piece of curved steel supports the chair. The seat is made from a slight curved square of perforated steel. There is one back leg and two legs at the front. The seat is attached to the back leg and to the centre of the piece of the curved steel at the front.
Dimensions
  • Height: 63cm
  • Width: 90cm
  • Depth: 47cm
  • Height: 38cm (Note: height of seat)
Summary
This steel chair was designed by French designer Phillipe Starck (b. 1949) in 1983 and manufactured by xO. Marketed by xO as 'the seat of an air pilot.' It reflects Phillipe Starck's early facination with aviation. Starck is quoted describing his childhood, 'I grew up on airfields...'. He and his father revelled in the 'continuing adventure of French aviation'. (Lloyd Morgan, Conway: Phillipe Starck, Universe, 1999, p.38)
Collection
Accession number
W.3-2012

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Record createdSeptember 9, 2014
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