Armchair, tubular steel frame covered in black plastic, plywood seat and back, designed by Ernö Goldfinger (1902-1987), 1931

This armchair has a tubular steel frame covered in black plastic (possibly 'Rhodoid'). The seat and pivoting back are made of pressed and formed plywood. There are holes in the metal arms for screws, which suggests that it once had (or was intended to have) wooden arms attached. The legs are capped with rounded metal feet.

Given by the designer

Goldfinger began designing the 'Entas' series of tubular steel chairs in 1931. He had numerous prototypes and batches of the various models made up in the 1930s both for clients and for his own use. He brought some over from Paris when he moved to London in 1934. It is not known whether this particular chair was made in France or England - nb check notes re Rhodoid examples. It is probably one of several of these types of chairs that were used in his offices and studios at Bedford Square and then Picadilly.

Attribution note: The Entas series of chairs, of which this is just one example, were produced for private use and commissions. Goldfinger intended that they be mass-produced for retail more widely but this goal was never achieved.

This chair was designed in the late 1920s by the Hungarian-born architect, Erno Goldfinger (1902-1987). The chair is constructed from a tubular steel frame with a plywood seat and back rest. The steel has been coated in a black plastic called Rodiode. There are holes in the metal arms for screws, which suggests that it once had, or was intended to have, wooden arms.

The Entas series of chairs, of which this is just one example, were produced for private use and commissions. Goldfinger intended that they be mass-produced for retail sale more widely, but this goal was never achieved.

W.2-1983