On loan
  • On short term loan out for exhibition

EKCO A22

Radio
1946 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Circular black Bakelite cabinet with legs in the form of a semi-circular section almost equal in depth to the main body of the cabinet. The front edge of the cabinet is rounded. The front of the cabinet consists of two main elements: at its centre is a circular loudspeaker aperture covered with a light brown fabric; the frame of the aperture is faced with chrome. Completely surrounding the aperture is a wide tuning scale, with red, green and black markings on a cream ground. This scale is covered with clear plastic. The thickness of this tuning scale band is equal to the distance between its outer edge and the outer edge of the cabinet. At the base of the front, in the centre and partially overlapping the tuning scale, is a large, circular, stepped black plastic control knob. Either side of this knob are similar, smaller knobs with built-in levers or pointers. These smaller knobs likewise partially overlap the tuning scale band.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleEKCO A22 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Compression-moulded Bakelite, acrylic, fabric, chromium
Brief description
model Ekco A22; British,1946,d. Wells Coates, man. E.K.Cole and Co
Physical description
Circular black Bakelite cabinet with legs in the form of a semi-circular section almost equal in depth to the main body of the cabinet. The front edge of the cabinet is rounded. The front of the cabinet consists of two main elements: at its centre is a circular loudspeaker aperture covered with a light brown fabric; the frame of the aperture is faced with chrome. Completely surrounding the aperture is a wide tuning scale, with red, green and black markings on a cream ground. This scale is covered with clear plastic. The thickness of this tuning scale band is equal to the distance between its outer edge and the outer edge of the cabinet. At the base of the front, in the centre and partially overlapping the tuning scale, is a large, circular, stepped black plastic control knob. Either side of this knob are similar, smaller knobs with built-in levers or pointers. These smaller knobs likewise partially overlap the tuning scale band.
Dimensions
  • Width: 33.5cm
  • Height: 35.7cm
  • Depth: 20.5cm
Measurements taken from paper records - not checked on object.
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
(1992)
[20th century gallery]

EKCO MODEL A22
Designed by Wells Coates, (Canadian, born Tokyo, 1895-1958)
Make by E.K. Cole Ltd., Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Great Britain, 1945
3 valves; Bakelite case, chromium trim, perspex tuning scale
Circ.13-1977
Coates designed this 13 years after his ground-breaking circular Ekco, the AD 65. Although it was marketed optimistically in bright colours at the 'Britain Can Make It' exhibition in 1946, other shapes were in fashion and it became the last of the well-known round Ekcos.
Object history
Purchased by the Circulation Department in 1977, from Rupert's of Ealing [77/1001]. On entry to the Museum its condition was noted as 'very good'.
Association
Associated object
W.23:1-1981 (Source)
Bibliographic references
  • p.100 Hawes, Robert, Radio Art (London, 1991)
  • Hogben, Carol, The Wireless Show!: 130 classic radio receivers, 1920s to 1950s, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1977
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.13-1977

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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