Classic furniture
54Pages

Classic Collection Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 1

TRADITIONAL QUALITY ENGLISH MANUFACTURING Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 2

RACE FURNITURE since 1945 The Classic Collection is manufactured in England by the original company, using the same time-honoured methods of production. Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 3

ICONIC POST-WAR ENGLISH FURNITURE Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 4

This Collection represents some of the finest, most innovative furniture of its era. Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 5

This is Eric Fuller, stitching the fly detail to the frame on a Heron chair in 1963. He still teaches our upholsterers today. Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 6

Race Furniture was founded immediately after the Second World War, under the design direction of Ernest Race who before the war had earned a strong reputation for textile and interior design. Like many designers of the post-war era, Race was inspired by new technologies and materials that had been developed during the War. Furthermore, under the Government’s ‘utility furniture scheme,’ companies were encouraged to work with alternative materials in order to preserve the country’s limited reserves of timber and other scarce commodities. His first design for Race Furniture, the BA3 chair,...

... A past masterpiece ... A 1962 DA1 chair, used to assist the re-issue before its restoration Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 8

Re-issuing a Classic In order for Race Furniture to begin reproducing the Ernest Race collection, we had to employ a variety of methods to maintain the integrity of each of the products. As an example - to manufacture the DA1 chair again, we delved into our archives of drawings and photography dating back to the company’s inception. Poring over the original drawings and archived material, we established a large amount of detail of the chair’s construction. When it came to upholstery, the only authentic way to cover the chair was to call on the first hand experience of our longest serving...

Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 10

THE BA3 1945 The BA3 was Ernest Race’s first design for the company. Wood was scarce at this time and the British Government encouraged manufacturers to use new materials that were more available – like aluminium – which was plentiful due to the decommissioning of weapons and aircraft. It was an immediate success, becoming the showpiece of the ‘Britain Can Make It’ exhibition of 1946. One of the first mass produced, cast aluminium chairs in the world, over 250,000 were made. It won a Gold Medal at the Milan Triennale of 1954 and is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York and...

Interior design - WaldoWorks Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 12

BA3 with upholstered arms (the BA3A) BA3 with Oak veneered ply back. (the BA2) Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 13

Bezug – Bute Clyde oder Stoff des Kunden (In Leder erhältlich) Options - Available with a timber backrest (BA2) Bâti - Fonte d’aluminium. Revêtement époxyde ou en vernis transparent Bastidor - Aluminio fundido. Revestido de epoxía o barnizado con laca transparente Tapisserie d’ameublement - Bute Clyde ou celle Tapizado - Bute Clyde o propio del cliente (dis- du client (disponible en cuir) Options - Disponible avec dossier en bois (BA2) Opciones - Disponible con respaldo de madera Telaio – Alluminio fuso. Rivestimento epossidico o oder klar lackiert Upholstery - Bute Clyde or customer’s own...

Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 15 The BA3 with a raw cast aluminium frame

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THE ANTELOPE 1951 The Antelope, designed for the ‘Festival of Britain’ heralded the ‘New Elizabethan’ spirit with sculptural, playful form. It won a silver medal at the Tenth Trienalle furniture fair in Milan, making it an internationally recognised icon. Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 17

Antelope and Springbok chairs at the ‘Festival of Britain’, 1951 Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 18

The Antelope with matching frame and seat The Antelope Bench with Gaboon Ply seat (below left), Bench with painted seat (below) Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 19

The Antelope Seat - formed Gabon ply available unfinished, Sitz – aus Gabunholzschichten geformt, lacquered or painted in customer’s choice unbehandelt, lackiert oder in Farbe nach Wunsch des Kunden erhältlich Frame - Steel rod frame, epoxy powder coated or antiqued and lacquered Rahmen – Stahlstangenrahmen. Epoxidpulverbeschichtet oder künstlich gealtert Options - Available with white or black ball feet Siège - Contreplaqué okoumé formé, disponible Optionen – Mit weißen oder schwarzen non fini, vernis ou peint selon le choix du client Kugelfüßen erhältlich Bâti - Bâti en tiges d’acier....

Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 21

Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 22

THE ROCKER 1948 The Rocker preceded the Antelope chair and though not a fashionable concept at the time, it has become a highly collectable design icon. The Rocker comes with a websprung removable seat, optional back cushion and hardwood armrests, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 23

CHange this inmmage of the rocker Rocker upholstered in ‘Kathryn Ireland’ fabric Race Furniture Classic Collection - Final Facing Pages 26-4-12.indd 24