Model BA3/A Aluminium chair, with upholstered back, seat and arm rests. Die cast. Designed by Ernst Race 1945 and in continuous production from 1945-69. English.

Aluminium chair, with upholstered back, seat and arm rests. Die cast.

Given by J.W. Jordan

Designed by Ernst Race 1945 and in continuous production from 1945-69. made by Ernst Race Ltd. Illustrated in ‘The Adventures of British furniture’ by David Joel, Ernst Beun Ltd 1953 and ‘Design since 1945’ Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1983.

Article: ‘Ernst Race designed the BA3 chair with the twin objects of exploiting the then excessive post-war capacity for aluminium casting and of avoiding the use of wood which was then subject to strict regulation. The frame of the prototype was made up from standard T-section and consisted of only two parts, each incorporating one front and one back leg. These two H-members were assembled to cross beneath the centre of the seat…’

Sale poster: Race Dining Chairs ‘Originally introduced at the famous ‘Britain Can Make It’ Exhibition in 1946, this chair led the way in the use of aluminium alloy castings for furniture construction. The framework, die-cast to a new low pressure technique is of a strong and graceful construction which is virtually everlasting. The upholstered seat and backrest, curved to give support just where it is wanted, provide the efficiency but eliminate the coldness often associated with metal furniture. These Race chairs, specified by the leading architects and designers for most of their important furnishing schemes, are now freely available, on both the home and export markets….’

Description of Craftsman from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
Furniture/industrial designer. Born 1913, died 1964. Trained Bartlett School of Architecture, London University. Worked in design studio of Troughton and Young, c. 1935-37; own firm, Ernst Race Ltd, with Noel Jordan from 1945; director of design 1945-64. Range of objects designed included furniture, fabrics, light fittings. Work exhibited Britain Can Make It London 1945; Festival of Britain London 1951; Milan Triennale 1954, 1957, 1960 (Gold and Silver Medals). Three Council of Industrial Design awards for furniture.

CIRC.766-1969