QE2 chair, restaurant chair, designed by Robert Heritage and made by Race Furniture, Sheerness. English; 1968.

Chair has cast aluminium feet attached to extruded aluminium uprights with adhesive. The shell is of moulded plywood and upholstered in leather. Post formed Formica laminate covers the outside surface.

Description of V&A object from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
"The chair frame is of special aluminium alloy, and the bonding of leg extrusion to foot casting depends on a special adhesive developed through prolonged research... Alternative versions are made in which the outer surface of the arms and back is either faced with post-formed plastic laminate or with hide, fabric or vinyl."

Given by J.W. Jordan

Council of Industrial Design Award, 1969.

Given to the Museum in 1969 by J.W. Jordan [69/3947].

Summary of Conservation Work carried out on:
Museum Number: CIRC 765-1969
Object details: Chair, English, 1968
Treatment: Celotape residue removed from plastic seating.
Date completed: 12/06/1987
By: J. Kitchen

Article from ‘Architectural Review’ July 1968, Vol 144 no. 857
‘Chairs for the new Cunarder: Chairs for the first class and tourist restaurants for the new Cunard, 2, have been designed by Robert Heritage for Race Furniture. The frame is in aluminium alloys either die cast or extruded which are bonded with an epoxy adhesive, the first time, it is believed, that this kind of construction has been used in the furniture industry, the advantages being that a stronger and cheaper joint can be made without using mechanical fastenings, which often work loose and lead to maintenance problems. In any event it has been tested and approved by the Furniture Industry Research Association. Seat and back are in preformed laminates upholstered in specially developed fire-retardant cushions and covering materials.’

Description of V&A object from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
"The chair frame is of special aluminium alloy, and the bonding of leg extrusion to foot casting depends on a special adhesive developed through prolonged research. It was first shown at the Design Centre, London in 1969, and received a Council of Industrial Design annual award in the same year. Alternative versions are made in which the outer surface of the arms and back is either faced with post-formed plastic laminate or with hide, fabric or vinyl."

Description of Craftsman from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
Furniture, product designer. Born 1927. Trained Royal College of Art, London. Own office since 1953, London; consultant to Archie Shine, Rotaflex, Elliots, Race Furniture Ltd, beaver and Tapley, etc. Work included in British Week exhibitions in Copenhagen, Milan, Lyons, Brussels, Gothenburg. Eight design awards from COID since 1958, including four for furniture; British Aluminium award 1966.

CIRC.765-1969