1930s Fashion: The Definitive Sourcebook

Is there any item of furniture more conducive to endless reinvention, more expressive of an infinite array of design sensibilities, than the chair? From Shaker and Mission styles to the innovations of Charles and Ray Eames, the chair has always represented the paramount incarnation of practical design in everyday life, and a distinctive chair design still has the power to entirely alter the feel and look of a space. This all-new survey of innovative seating designs, compiled by Charlotte and Peter Fiell, renowned authorities on the subject, showcases over 1,000 chairs by some of the world"s greatest designers, from Alvar Aalto to Marco Zanuso. Here you"ll find such outstanding furniture as a woven cane indoor/outdoor chair made by British designer Harry Peach circa 1913, the slats of its sides sloping gracefully as the frame of a harp; the red Baker sofa, designed by Finn Juhl in 1951, with the upper portion of its backrest seeming to hover in the air; and the NV-53 sofa and chairs, which showcased the marvelous flowing lines Danish craftsmen coaxed from teak. Each image in Landmarks of Chair Design is accompanied by a concise descriptive text outlining the item"s design and historical context and an introductory essay details the main styles and developments that have occurred in seating design over the past 200 years. Furniture collectors, design lovers, fans and proprietors of design and furniture shops, interior architects and anybody who appreciates a chair that stands out from the crowd will all find this volume an indispensable resource.