Not currently on display at the V&A

Quasimodo

Coathanger
1995 (designed), 1995 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleQuasimodo (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Matt varnished birch, steel painted silver-grey
Brief description
Coathanger, model 'Quasimodo', birch and steel, designed by Jonas Lindvall, 1995, manufactured by David Design, Sweden, 1995
Physical description
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.
Dimensions
  • Height: 330mm
  • Minimum width: 30mm
  • Maximum width: 150mm
  • Minimum depth: 60mm
  • Maximum depth: 120mm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
  • 20th Century Study Gallery label, April 2000: 'QUASIMODO' COATHANGERS Designed by Jonas Lindvall (Swedish, born 1963), 1995 Made by David Design, Sweden, 1995 Matt varnished birch, painted grey steel With the Quasimodo design, Lindvall employs a simple block of timber and bent metal forms to create an object of elegance and utility. His work is typical of contemporary Swedish design where a respect for traditional materials and techniques has endured alongside experimentation with form. David Design is part of Swecode, an agency dedicated to promoting leading edge Swedish design. Given by David Design W.12,13,14-1997(01/04/2000)
  • 103-6 'QUASIMODO' COATHANGERS Designed by Jonas Lindvall (Swedish, born 1963), 1995 Made by David Design, Sweden, 1995 Oiled birch, painted grey steel Lindvall's work is typical of contemporary Swedish design where a respect for traditional materials and techniques endures, alongside experimentation with form. David Design is part of Swecode, an agency dedicated to promoting leading edge Swedish design. Given by David Design W.12,13,14-1997(2006)
Object history
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.
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
W.13-1997

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Record createdJanuary 19, 2001
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