Gerald Summers Dining Table
British
1930's
Designed by Gerald Summers (1899-1967)
Made by 'Makers of Simple Furniture' 1932-1940
This rectangular birch ply dining table retains its original white heat resistant traffolyte covered surface.
Dimensions:
length 153cm width 69cm (60 x 27 in)
The most innovative designer in Britain in the 1930’s Gerald Summers’ significance is only now being appreciated as emphasis has heretofore been placed upon the achievements of European and Scandinavian designers and because ‘Makers of Simple Furniture’ was a small company, producing mainly to order, without the publicity machine of larger workshops. However, by the middle of the decade his designs were offered by the major retailers of modern furniture including Heals and Harrods in London, U.K., Marshall Field in Chicago and James Pendleton in New York.
Bibliography:
Design for Today 1934
A History of British Design 1839-1970 Fiona McCarthy pub.1972
Furnishing the Small Home published London and New York 1930’s by the Studio Ltd.
The Design History Journal 1992 Vol.5 No.3 - precis of Masters' thesis by Martha Deese, Metropolitan Museum New York
Bent Wood and Metal Furniture 1850-1946 University of Washington Press edited by Derek E. Ostergard
Exhibitions:
Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Vitra Design Museum
Phoenix Art Museum
Thirties British Art and Design before the War organized by the Arts Council of Great Britain, London 1979