Armchair
1949-1951 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This high-backed, reclining, fire-side chair had been part of the Utility range since the early 1940s, although the mechanism to tilt the back is more complex on this chair than other models. The simple timber frame relates the chair to the functional Arts and Crafts style of Gordon Russell in the 1930s, rather than to the exuberant club chairs of Art Deco, but it can also be understood as a simplified version of Modernism. Although plain, this refined style of modern lounge chair became widespread in the 1950s.
This chair dates from after 1948, when the strict wartime controls by the government on furniture production and design were somewhat relaxed. Although the specifications controlling overall dimensions and quantities of materials remained in place, manufacturers were allowed some freedom of design. However, at this date many manufacturers lacked their own designers and the Board of Trade supplied model designs.
[Gareth Williams, 'British Design at Home', p.132]
This chair dates from after 1948, when the strict wartime controls by the government on furniture production and design were somewhat relaxed. Although the specifications controlling overall dimensions and quantities of materials remained in place, manufacturers were allowed some freedom of design. However, at this date many manufacturers lacked their own designers and the Board of Trade supplied model designs.
[Gareth Williams, 'British Design at Home', p.132]
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Wooden frame; upholstery has been replaced |
| Brief description | Armchair, designer and manufacturer unknown, 1949-1951 |
| Physical description | High-backed reclining fire-side chair, with simple wooden frame and arms. Back upholstered in dark material with a subtle stripe. A separate seat cushion covered with same material. The arms are collapsable. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | cloth label with the Utility mark |
| Gallery label | LOUNGE CHAIR
Designer and manufacturer unknown
Marked with the Utility Furniture label
Wooden frame, replaced upholstery
1949-1951
After 1948 the strict controls on the design and production of furniture under the Utility scheme were relaxed.
Specifications controlling overall dimensions and materials remained in place but manufacturers were allowed freedom of design. A high-backed reclining fire-side chair had been part of the Utility range since the early 1940s, although the tilting mechanism on this chair is more complex.
W.13-1976(1989-2006) |
| Historical context | This chair dates from after 1948, when the strict government controls on furniture production and design were somewhat relaxed. Although the specifications controlling overall dimensions and quantities of materials remained in place, manufacturers were allowed freedon of design. However, many manufacturers now lacked their own designers and the Board of Trade supplied model designs. A high-backed reclining fire-side chair had been part of the Utility range since the early 1940s, although the mechanism to tilt the back is more complex on this chair. The simple timber frame relates the chair to the functional Arts and Crafts style of Gordon Russellrather than the exuberant club chairs of Art Deco but can also be understood as a simplified version of Modernism. Although plain, this refined style of modern lounge chair became widespread in the 1950s. [Gareth Williams, 'British Design at Home', p.132] |
| Summary | This high-backed, reclining, fire-side chair had been part of the Utility range since the early 1940s, although the mechanism to tilt the back is more complex on this chair than other models. The simple timber frame relates the chair to the functional Arts and Crafts style of Gordon Russell in the 1930s, rather than to the exuberant club chairs of Art Deco, but it can also be understood as a simplified version of Modernism. Although plain, this refined style of modern lounge chair became widespread in the 1950s. This chair dates from after 1948, when the strict wartime controls by the government on furniture production and design were somewhat relaxed. Although the specifications controlling overall dimensions and quantities of materials remained in place, manufacturers were allowed some freedom of design. However, at this date many manufacturers lacked their own designers and the Board of Trade supplied model designs. [Gareth Williams, 'British Design at Home', p.132] |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.13:1, 2-1976 |
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| Record created | February 4, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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