Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Neptune’

Ernest Race the textile and furniture designer was recognized as one amongst the most creative and challenging personality of mid-century design. His furniture designs included for dining, lounge and furniture for case, which was completely, constructed using metals and other improvised materials. His famous works included B.A 3 chair, Antelope chair, Heron chair, Purple chair and so on. His designs were contemporary and liked by all and were in constant production.

The metal furniture designed by Race was enthusiastically bought by the private firms as well as the contractors of the market. He has his best orders for chairs and tables of 1500 in number for troop-ships. Gradually his orders increased day by day, mostly placed by the private sector. Later Race opened his own showroom which was stylish, decorated with plain walls on which coconut mats were hung. Race with his outstanding abilities, demonstrated the essentials of assessing the market needs against the restriction of materials.

The famous B.A3 chairs were preferred for the interiors of a ship. These were constructed out of five interchangeable materials which consisted of sand cast and polished aluminium. He used ingenious paneling which is provided with highly polished laminated plastic and with scratch resistant wooden finish. He covered the honeycomb shaped edges of the table, using aluminium in the form of ribbon. This B.A 3 stood on four raised tapering legs which seem to appear light and contrasting.

The Great Britain festival gained more fame for the works of Race. His works like the Springbok, the Antelope chair were on the display in the exhibition. The Antelope chairs had high aesthetical appearance.

Race continued to design the furniture using steel rod which had an appreciable demand in market. He developed the rocking chair in the year 1948, after being inspired from a 1850s Winfield rocking chair made of metal. A special feature of the rocking chair was pretty interesting; it had a seat with a back made of undulating steel wire.

In the year 1955, Race introduced the Heron armchair, which was a very creative internal work, constructed with welded steel rod. He replaced the use of wooden frames with the steel rod and also latex foam which was of light weight. This furniture provided at most comfort.

Race Rockers, was a metal rocking chair designed by Race in the year 1948. The chair is a linen union, and was manufactured in three colours. The race rocker was recently auctioned for a sum of £464.12.

Isokon Penguin Donkey 2 was one of the best utility furniture. It was basically a desk like thing, an ideal place for books, CDs, magazines, newspapers, remote control and so on. This furniture was the second design in the Penguin Donkey series of furniture.

The Neptune chair, renowned furniture was designed by Race in the year 1953. This was made of Beachwood and webbing. This had a large scale sales world wide.

Race’s contribution to the world of furniture design was a significant one, which led to the evolution of modern furniture designing.