Not on display

Dressing Table Chair

1953-1958 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
E. Gomme Ltd (manufacturer)
Place of origin
High Wycombe (manufactured)

In 1953 the High Wycombe firm of E. Gomme Ltd introduced the G-Plan range of furniture. G-Plan furniture was designed so all the individual items would be compatable in style and dimensions. It marked the beginning of modular furniture for the mass market. This little chair was designed to be used with the dressing table unit. G-Plan was marketed at the more affluent end of the market that might be sympathetic to contemporary design ideas imported from Europe. The chests of drawers each cost £19 11s 6d and the suspended dressing table was a further £16 12s 6d, a not inconsiderable sum for new furniture in 1957.

Object details

Category
Furniture
Object type
Dressing table chair
Materials and techniques
oak and plywood with oak veneer
Oak
Upholstered
Brief description
Designed by Donald Gomme (British, born 1916); British 1953-58 man. Gomme Ltd, G-plan
Physical description
Oak frame, oak veneered moulded plywood seat back, upholstered seat
Dimensions
  • Height: 590mm
  • Seat height: 440mm
  • Width: 440mm
  • Depth: 430mm
measurements from object 30/06/2005
Gallery label
(1993-2006)
DRESSING TABLE UNIT AND CHAIR
Designed and made by E. Gomme Ltd, High Wycombe
British 1953-8

Ebenezer Gomme founded a chair-making business in High Wycombe in 1898. By 1922 the company was employing 300 people. The G-plan concept was introduced around 1953 and consisted of a variety of co-ordinated home furnishings which could be built up over a period of time. These pieces were part of the 'Brandon' range and were bought at Selfridges in 1957 for £16 12s 6d.

Given by Mr C. Brookes
W.1-4-1993
Credit line
Given by Mr C. G. Brookes
Object history
Purchased by donor, ca. 1958.
Production
Made by E. Gomme Ltd under the G-plan label
Summary
In 1953 the High Wycombe firm of E. Gomme Ltd introduced the G-Plan range of furniture. G-Plan furniture was designed so all the individual items would be compatable in style and dimensions. It marked the beginning of modular furniture for the mass market. This little chair was designed to be used with the dressing table unit. G-Plan was marketed at the more affluent end of the market that might be sympathetic to contemporary design ideas imported from Europe. The chests of drawers each cost £19 11s 6d and the suspended dressing table was a further £16 12s 6d, a not inconsiderable sum for new furniture in 1957.
Associated objects
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.4-1993

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Record createdJune 13, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O113151/dressing-table-chair-e-gomme-ltd/
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