Chair
1951 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The 'Springbok' chair was designed by Ernest Race for the Festival of Britain, held in London in 1951. It was intended to be durable enough to be used outdoors and comfortable enough to be suitable as indoor seating. The seat and back of the chair were formed of springs covered in PVC, and the chair was supplied in a range of colours: red, yellow, blue and grey. The narrow steel chair frame, with the legs fixed to the outside of the seat frame, was designed to be stackable. This example was purchased by the donor from the post-Festival sale.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stove enamelled mild steel rod with aluminium and PVC |
| Brief description | Chair with frame of bent steel rod, seat and back of PVC-covered springs, designed by Ernest Race, Britain, 1951 |
| Physical description | Chair with fine metal frame of stove enamelled mild steel rod, with aluminium ball feet, the seat and back formed with springs covered in PVC sleeves. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | 3 'SPRINGBOK' CHAIR
Designed by Ernest Race (British, 1913-1964)
Manufactured by Ernest Race Ltd, London
Stove enamelled mild steel rod, aluminium ball feet, springs in PVC sheaths
1951
The 'Springbok' chair was designed for the Festival of Britain of 1951. It was intended to be durable enough to be used outdoors and comfortable enough to be suitable as indoor seating. This example was purchased by the donor from the post-Festival sale.
Given by Mr R.D. Felton
W.34-1987(pre-2006) |
| Credit line | Given by Mr R. D. Felton |
| Historical context | This chair was designed to be used both inside or outside, to be comfortable and stackable. The PVC sleeves for the springs were available in red, yellow, blue or grey. See H. Conway, 1982, 'The Festival Chairs and Contemporary Design'. |
| Association | |
| Summary | The 'Springbok' chair was designed by Ernest Race for the Festival of Britain, held in London in 1951. It was intended to be durable enough to be used outdoors and comfortable enough to be suitable as indoor seating. The seat and back of the chair were formed of springs covered in PVC, and the chair was supplied in a range of colours: red, yellow, blue and grey. The narrow steel chair frame, with the legs fixed to the outside of the seat frame, was designed to be stackable. This example was purchased by the donor from the post-Festival sale. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.34-1987 |
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| Record created | December 13, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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