Armchair
Armchair
1936 (made)
1936 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This armchair forms part of a dining suite, the only known furniture designed by Eric Ravilious (1903-1942). He was a British painter, designer, book illustrator and wood-engraver whose paintings included murals for interiors. The chair was commissioned for a new furnishing shop founded by Cecilia Dunbar Kilburn and Athole Hay. Four dining sets with variations were made.
In the 1930s there were still many enemies of the square and sometimes harsh shapes of Modernism. Many designers and patrons preferred furniture that had links with the past. This chair is in keeping with the popular Regency revival style of the 1930s. The lines are recognisably those of the English Regency style (about 1810–30), but they are simplified to correspond to 1930s taste.
In the 1930s there were still many enemies of the square and sometimes harsh shapes of Modernism. Many designers and patrons preferred furniture that had links with the past. This chair is in keeping with the popular Regency revival style of the 1930s. The lines are recognisably those of the English Regency style (about 1810–30), but they are simplified to correspond to 1930s taste.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Titles |
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| Materials and techniques | Mahogany, inlaid with box |
| Brief description | Armchair, designed by Eric Ravilious, made by H. Harris for Dunbar Hay, 1936 |
| Physical description | A wooden chair with curved arms and a back rest of five spindles; upholstered seat. Inlay detailing design at the front of the seat. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Purchased in 1948. |
| Historical context | In 1936 Ravilious was commissioned by Lady Sempill of Dunbar Hay and Company to design a table, two arm chairs and two single chairs for a client. Several of these Regency Revival suites were made, but Ravilious designed no other furniture. The Neo-Georgian and other revivals are at present under-represented at the V&A. |
| Summary | This armchair forms part of a dining suite, the only known furniture designed by Eric Ravilious (1903-1942). He was a British painter, designer, book illustrator and wood-engraver whose paintings included murals for interiors. The chair was commissioned for a new furnishing shop founded by Cecilia Dunbar Kilburn and Athole Hay. Four dining sets with variations were made. In the 1930s there were still many enemies of the square and sometimes harsh shapes of Modernism. Many designers and patrons preferred furniture that had links with the past. This chair is in keeping with the popular Regency revival style of the 1930s. The lines are recognisably those of the English Regency style (about 1810–30), but they are simplified to correspond to 1930s taste. |
| Bibliographic reference | Image and reference on p. 53 of 'Enid Marx, The Pleasures of Pattern', by Alan Powers. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.265&A-1948 |
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| Record created | January 14, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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