Gerald Summers High Back Chair
British
Designed 1934
Designed by Gerald Summers (1899-1967)
Made by 'Makers of Simple Furniture' 1932-1940
Birch Plywood with a white tinted polish
The back spreads from a tight curve at the base, constrained by the shape of the seat, to a flexible, gentle sweep at the top. This variable curve to the back support is significant historically as it pre-dates the multi-directional curves used by the American designers Charles and Ray Eames some ten years later in the 1940's.
Height 102 cm width 44 cm depth 51 cm (40 x 17.5 x 20 in)
Bibliography:
1000 Chairs and Peter Fiell, Cologne 2000 p.232.
100 Masterpieces Vitra Design Museum
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