Furniture Design by Ernest Race

Ernest Race the textile and furniture designer wasAntelope chair were on the display in the exhibition.
recognized as one amongst the most creative andThe Antelope chairs had high aesthetical appearance.
challenging personality of mid-century design. HisRace continued to design the furniture using steel rod
furniture designs included for dining, lounge andwhich had an appreciable demand in market. He
furniture for case, which was completely, constructeddeveloped the rocking chair in the year 1948, after
using metals and other improvised materials. Hisbeing inspired from a 1850s Winfield rocking chair
famous works included B.A 3 chair, Antelope chair,made of metal. A special feature of the rocking chair
Heron chair, Purple chair and so on. His designs werewas pretty interesting; it had a seat with a back
contemporary and liked by all and were in constantmade of undulating steel wire.
production.In the year 1955, Race introduced the Heron
The metal furniture designed by Race wasarmchair, which was a very creative internal work,
enthusiastically bought by the private firms as well asconstructed with welded steel rod. He replaced the
the contractors of the market. He has his bestuse of wooden frames with the steel rod and also
orders for chairs and tables of 1500 in number forlatex foam which was of light weight. This furniture
troop-ships. Gradually his orders increased day byprovided at most comfort.
day, mostly placed by the private sector. Later RaceRace Rockers, was a metal rocking chair designed by
opened his own showroom which was stylish,Race in the year 1948. The chair is a linen union, and
decorated with plain walls on which coconut matswas manufactured in three colours. The race rocker
were hung. Race with his outstanding abilities,was recently auctioned for a sum of £464.12.
demonstrated the essentials of assessing the marketIsokon Penguin Donkey 2 was one of the best utility
needs against the restriction of materials.furniture. It was basically a desk like thing, an ideal
The famous B.A3 chairs were preferred for theplace for books, CDs, magazines, newspapers,
interiors of a ship. These were constructed out ofremote control and so on. This furniture was the
five interchangeable materials which consisted ofsecond design in the Penguin Donkey series of
sand cast and polished aluminium. He used ingeniousfurniture.
paneling which is provided with highly polishedThe Neptune chair, renowned furniture was designed
laminated plastic and with scratch resistant woodenby Race in the year 1953. This was made of
finish. He covered the honeycomb shaped edges ofBeachwood and webbing. This had a large scale sales
the table, using aluminium in the form of ribbon. Thisworld wide.
B.A 3 stood on four raised tapering legs which seemRace's contribution to the world of furniture design
to appear light and contrasting.was a significant one, which led to the evolution of
The Great Britain festival gained more fame for themodern furniture designing.
works of Race. His works like the Springbok, the