Fibreglass patterns for Hille polypropylene chairs.
Identifier
FPF496
Title
Fibreglass patterns for Hille polypropylene chairs.
Date
1964
Description
Fibreglass patterns for polypropylene chairs designed by Robin Day for Hille.
Full Description
This pair of fibreglass patterns were part of the development of the renowned polypropylene stacking chair, Mark II, designed in c.1964 by Robin Day (1915-2010) for S. Hille & Co., London (from 1972, Hille International).
The chairs were manufactured by injection-moulding which requires a two-part steel mould. These patterns in fibreglass were probably used in the development stages, fine-tuning the design of the finished seat, and would have informed the making of the steel mould. Although the initial cost of creating the mould was expensive, the polypropylene shells could be made quickly and were cost effective – their economy deriving from the fact that 4,000 shells a week can be formed from a single mould.
Two examples of the Mark II polypropylene stacking chairs are in the Frederick Parker Collection, FPF410 and FPF417.
The chairs were manufactured by injection-moulding which requires a two-part steel mould. These patterns in fibreglass were probably used in the development stages, fine-tuning the design of the finished seat, and would have informed the making of the steel mould. Although the initial cost of creating the mould was expensive, the polypropylene shells could be made quickly and were cost effective – their economy deriving from the fact that 4,000 shells a week can be formed from a single mould.
Two examples of the Mark II polypropylene stacking chairs are in the Frederick Parker Collection, FPF410 and FPF417.
Condition
Good.
Materials
Fibreglass.
Physical Dimensions
Larger mould marked on the front:
H. 39
W. 63
D. 59
Smaller mould marked on the back:
H. 39
W. 59
D. 54
H. 39
W. 63
D. 59
Smaller mould marked on the back:
H. 39
W. 59
D. 54
Marks
Written in marker pen on the front of the larger mould: ‘MOULD ‘TOOL’ GRP JB’s SAMPLE’.
Written in marker pen on the back of the smaller mould: ‘1.8kg. JB’s SAMPLE SEAT MOULDING’.
Note: JB probably refers to Jez Bradley, a tutor at London Metropolitan University at the time the Furniture Workshops on Commercial Road were closed, see provenance below.
Written in marker pen on the back of the smaller mould: ‘1.8kg. JB’s SAMPLE SEAT MOULDING’.
Note: JB probably refers to Jez Bradley, a tutor at London Metropolitan University at the time the Furniture Workshops on Commercial Road were closed, see provenance below.
Provenance
Acquired for the Collection, 16 June 2016, donated by Jez Bradley.
Notes
L. Jackson, Modern British Furniture Design Since 1945, London, 2013, p. 173.
L. Jackson, Robin and Lucienne Day: Pioneers of Contemporary Design, London, 2001, p. 120.
L. Jackson, Robin and Lucienne Day: Pioneers of Contemporary Design, London, 2001, p. 120.
