Coathanger, model 'Quasimodo', birch and steel, designed by Jonas Lindvall, 1995, manufactured by David Design, Sweden, 1995

Coathanger made of a solid vertical block of birch and five adjustable bent metal hangers painted silver-grey. The object is fixed to the wall by means of two steel fixtures at the back of the block - these slot over screws in the wall.

Given by David Design

Designed as part of a collection of hall accessories for daily use in the home or office. Characterised by functional and simple form. Approx 8000 sold by September 1997. Available with three or five hangers.

According to the designer Jonas Lindvall, the coathanger is named after the bellringer, Quasimodo, from Victor Hugo's novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Six Quasimodo Coathangers were lent by David Design for the display "... not so simple" in the Design Now Room of the Twentieth Century Gallery, April to October 1997. Three were were converted into a permanent gift to the museum. They were chosen as examples of products by a leading Swedish manufacturer as part of the Furniture & Woodwork's commitment to collecting the best examples of international design for production.

Historical significance: During the 1990s Swedish design has become increasingly influential. It draws on the history of 'soft modernism' in Scandinavian design, when designers used wood rather than metal as a principal material (eg Alvar Aalto, Bruno Mathsson, Arne Jacobsen). A respect for traditional materials and techniques has also endured alongside experimentation with form. Concern for the environment also explains Swedish designers' economy of expression and respect for materials.

The design ethos of David Design is typical of many Swedish companies - to produce or sell functional design for everyday use. The key elements of this are simple, subtle, direct design, quality materials and craftsmanship, function, comfort, and beauty. Between 1994 and 1998 David Design was part of Swecode, an agency set up to promote the best in contemporary Swedish design to an international market. Other companies involved in the agency included Asplund and CBI.

Reason For Production: Retail

This simple, functional coat hanger formed part of a collection of hall accessories. They were designed for use in either the home or the office. Its practicality and elegance are typical of Swedish design of the 1990s. During this decade Swedish design became increasingly influential. Small companies like David Design were formed to produce and/or sell functional design for everyday use. The coat hanger is named after the bell ringer Quasimodo, a character in Victor Hugo's novel of 1831, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, presumably because, when covered in coats, it would give a hunchbacked appearance.

W.12-1997