Decorative Arts & Design specialist Theo Burrell takes a closer look at the innovative materials used in mid-20th century furniture design.
The use of innovative and new materials was a notable feature of mid-century furniture, with resin, wire mesh and plywood often being used for post-war pieces. Design and its materials in Europe at this time were, of course, directly affected by the economic situation, which following two world wars created instability and austerity. With the affluence of the 60s and 70s came a focus on luxury, and design of this period regularly sought to make use of the best materials which could be sourced. Thus mid-century furniture comprises a vast array of contrasting and innovative pieces.
The two world wars at the beginning of 20th century created shortages in many materials and a lack of money had a direct impact on new designs in the late 1930s, 40s and 50s, forcing designers to be creative with what they were developing, and what they were producing furniture with. Whereas expensive walnut veneers and burr woods were regularly used for Art Deco pieces of the 1920s and early 30s, post-war manufacturers looked to more economical methods of manufacture using new materials. Plywood was one such material, and had its very origins in the war effort, having been used to make helicopter blades during the second world war. It’s versatility, durability and nod to the new attracted preeminent designers, such as Alvar Aalto and Charles and Ray Eames, who proved that being creative with raw materials led to innovative new design.
This process involved bonding together many layers of wood under electrical pressure with a synthetic resin, making it strong and malleable. The ‘Allegro’ chair designed by Sir Basil Spence in the late 1940s, and the ‘Bambi’ stacking chair were also created using this technique. These pieces were both made by H. Morris of Glasgow, who triumphed in producing both affordable, utilitarian furniture, as well as design-led iconic pieces, employing new materials and methods.
In his book Shavings For Breakfast Neil Morris, who ran H. Morris of Glasgow, talks about the ‘Allegro’ chair, the process of its production and how it was received:
“This is the lacquer chair designed and developed by myself and Sir Basil Spence and Charlie Sim. It was a unique construction of laminated Hondura Mahogany and Batula with classical 18th century detail. The back and arms are rolled laminated in one piece – an extremely difficult lamination to get right. Designed in the late 1940s. This was awarded an international prize and is on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.”
The initial difficulty of production and high-design may illuminate why the ‘Allegro’ chair was such an expensive piece, costing £31 18s 3d, when the annual salary in Britain was £101. However, such techniques, as they were refined, helped lead the way to cheaper ways of manufacturing furniture over time.
Although the 1950s continued to feel the effects of the hangover created by the war, like Neil Morris, Gordon Russell used austerity to promote good design. The ‘Helix’ sideboard designed by Judith Ledeboer and David Booth for Russell, did just that, by using simple design and scant use of raw materials which were scarce to come by, to create a functional piece which was neither lavish in wood nor decoration, yet elegant, modern and stylish. Clever use of economical materials were also employed by designers in the 1950s such as the Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen, who’s ‘Tulip’ chairs for Knoll Studio and his infamous ‘Tulip’ coffee table used aluminium, which was strong, easy to machine and lightweight.
As the 1960s dawned, the changes experienced within the energised affluent economy in Europe saw further modification in mid-century modern furniture, as an increase in demand encouraged not only new design but experimentation with new materials. Scandinavian designers, for example regularly selected teak and Brazilian rosewood to realise their products during this period. These materials were costly, difficult to come by and problematic to work with, so their use was a sign of high-quality. Similarly, a return to using more luxurious products like leather and wool to upholster chairs also became more common practice as the economy took a boost.
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