700
Chair
ca. 1956 (designed), 1950s (made)
ca. 1956 (designed), 1950s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Robin Day was undoubtedly one of the most important British furniture designers of the 20th century. Together with his wife, Lucienne Day, he actively introduced and promoted modernist design in Britain in the second half of the 20th century. Typically for this optimistic period, they intended a broad reach rather than a luxury market and worked with manufacturers like Hille and Heal Fabrics.
The 700 armchair is a variant of the 658, the moulded-plywood armchair designed by Robin Day for the opening of the Royal Festival Hall at the Festival of Britain in 1951.
The 658 Armchair was produced by furniture company Hille for several years before being replaced in the mid-1950s by the 700 Armchair. Whereas the moulded plywood back/armrests of the 658 was fixed to the seat by steel struts, that of the 700 is attached directly to the sides of the seat, making it a simpler and more practical design.
The 700 armchair is a variant of the 658, the moulded-plywood armchair designed by Robin Day for the opening of the Royal Festival Hall at the Festival of Britain in 1951.
The 658 Armchair was produced by furniture company Hille for several years before being replaced in the mid-1950s by the 700 Armchair. Whereas the moulded plywood back/armrests of the 658 was fixed to the seat by steel struts, that of the 700 is attached directly to the sides of the seat, making it a simpler and more practical design.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | 700 (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Bent plywood, woven synthetic upholstery, bent steel legs, rubber feet |
| Brief description | 700 armchair, designed by Robin Day in ca. 1956, manufactured by Hille, London, 1950s |
| Physical description | Armchair of bent plywood with synthetic upholstery. The chair stands on four bent tubular steel legs, each with a rubber foot. The legs are united by two stretchers which are welded to the legs. The leg-frame is attached to the seat with screws. The seat, arms and back are formed from a single piece of plywood. The back tapers slightly to rough shape of a blunted triangle and it curves around the sitter. The arms are wide. There is a long slot, the width of the cushion, near the bottom of the chair's back. There are cushions screwed to the seat and back, each upholstered with a grey woven synthetic fabric. The arms are slightly worn. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by The Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation |
| Historical context | |
| Summary | Robin Day was undoubtedly one of the most important British furniture designers of the 20th century. Together with his wife, Lucienne Day, he actively introduced and promoted modernist design in Britain in the second half of the 20th century. Typically for this optimistic period, they intended a broad reach rather than a luxury market and worked with manufacturers like Hille and Heal Fabrics. The 700 armchair is a variant of the 658, the moulded-plywood armchair designed by Robin Day for the opening of the Royal Festival Hall at the Festival of Britain in 1951. The 658 Armchair was produced by furniture company Hille for several years before being replaced in the mid-1950s by the 700 Armchair. Whereas the moulded plywood back/armrests of the 658 was fixed to the seat by steel struts, that of the 700 is attached directly to the sides of the seat, making it a simpler and more practical design. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.13-2012 |
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| Record created | July 10, 2012 |
| Record URL |
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