Chair Thing
Chair
1964 (designed), 1965 (made)
1964 (designed), 1965 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This chair captures the look and ethos of the Pop art movement of the 1960s. The simple form was created from a single piece of die-cut, folded card but required complex development. In 1967 the designer Peter Murdoch extended the range, which was marketed as Those Things: Fibreboard Furniture for the Young. The range of Chair Things, Stool Things and Table Things emphasised the multi-purpose, play-orientated function and reflected relaxing social attitudes towards children.
Over 76,000 pieces were sold in six months in 1967, retailing at less than £1 each. Despite several awards the potential for mass-production in the 1970s was never fully realised. Pop furniture was designed to be disposable so few examples have survived.
Over 76,000 pieces were sold in six months in 1967, retailing at less than £1 each. Despite several awards the potential for mass-production in the 1970s was never fully realised. Pop furniture was designed to be disposable so few examples have survived.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Chair Thing (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Polyurethane-coated laminated paper, die-cut and folded |
| Brief description | Child's chair, of polyurethane-coated paper, designed by Peter Murdoch 1965 |
| Physical description | Chair folded from a single piece of laminated paper. White with green spots. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | ‘Child Chair’
1964
Peter Murdoch (born 1940)
USA
Manufactured 1965 by Peter Murdoch Inc. with International Paper Co., USA
Polyethylene-coated laminate paper, five layers of three different papers, die-cut
Given by Peter Murdoch
Museum nos. Circ.17, 18-1970
Made entirely of cardboard, this chair was sold flat-packed and assembled at home. A single sheet is bent and folded to form the round base and curved seat, with flaps to stiffen it.
The production machinery allowed the parts to be printed, stamped and scored at a rate of one per second. Costing less than £1, the chair was fairly cheap to replace.
(01/12/2012) |
| Credit line | Given by Peter Murdoch |
| Object history | This simple form was made from a single piece of folded card but required complex development. Historical significance: Winner of Design Centre Award in 1968. According to the magazine 'Design' (May 1968, p.33), the earlier versions of the paper chairs were made in the USA, while Murdoch was still a student. Perspective Designs commissioned him to design a new range in 1967. These were manufactured by New Merton Board Mills for Perspective Designs. Perspective Designs was established by Philip Bidwell in 1966 to promote young British designers, with a particular focus on selling overseas. |
| Historical context | The range of 'Chair Things', 'Stool Things' and 'Table Things', emphasised the multi-purpose, play-orientated function and reflected relaxing social attitudes towards children. Over 76,000 pieces were sold in six months on 1967, retailing at less than £1 each. Despite several awards, the potential for mass-production in the 1970s was never fully realised and the disposability of Pop furniture means few examples have survived. |
| Summary | This chair captures the look and ethos of the Pop art movement of the 1960s. The simple form was created from a single piece of die-cut, folded card but required complex development. In 1967 the designer Peter Murdoch extended the range, which was marketed as Those Things: Fibreboard Furniture for the Young. The range of Chair Things, Stool Things and Table Things emphasised the multi-purpose, play-orientated function and reflected relaxing social attitudes towards children. Over 76,000 pieces were sold in six months in 1967, retailing at less than £1 each. Despite several awards the potential for mass-production in the 1970s was never fully realised. Pop furniture was designed to be disposable so few examples have survived. |
| Associated object | Circ.18-1970 (Colourway) |
| Bibliographic reference | Francis, Mark, Les Années Pop: 1956-1968, Centre Georges Pompidou, 2001 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.17-1970 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 2, 2000 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
