Robert Venturi Post-Modern 'Chippendale' Chairs for Knoll International, C. 1985

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Description

This rare and sought after set of collectors chairs is called the 'Chippendale' chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott … Read more This rare and sought after set of collectors chairs is called the 'Chippendale' chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 featuring a black color-way with black leather seat cushions.

This design was part of the 'Venturi Collection' for Knoll which was introduced in 1985 shortly after they (Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown) helped design Knoll's New York showroom. The Venturi Collection was a postmodernist’s interpretation of historical chairs which Venturi describes as “modern technology and historic symbolism, traditional symbolism and modern symbolism, comfort and elegance, function and wit, high purpose and fun.”

Venturi created his 'Grandmother' fabric, a patterned plastic laminate, after a visit to his grandmothers house in Pennsylvania where he saw fabrics of hers that inspired him. Later he copyrighted his pattern, although licensing it to Knoll for use with his chairs. This set of four (4) chairs are in black with black leather seats.

Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown produced nine variants of the Venturi Collection side chairs for Knoll in 1984, each suggesting a specific historical furniture style. For this chair, the silhouette of the back is an adaptation of Thomas Chippendale's 18th Century English designs. In 1985 the 'Chippendale' model was introduced by the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of their collection.

Other chairs in the collection include the Sheraton chair, Queen Anne chair, Art Deco chair, Hepplewhite chair, Empire chair, Gothic Revival chair, Art Nouveau chair and Biedermeier chair. Venturi stated "We see this furniture as part of the tradition of Modern furniture, as an evolution within the bounds of modern design."

As these seminal chairs were not mass produced and released similarly to an art collection and not like regular furniture, they are now highly-sought-after collector's item and would make a unique addition to any space and an apt conversation starter.

MEASUREMENTS:
H 37.5" x W 25" x D 24"
Seat Height: 19"
Seat Depth: 18"

CONDITION:
Overall good vintage condition. Each chair has some wear including light scratches and patina, some scuffs, laminate cracks and small losses to laminate mostly concentrated to legs. The chairs are sturdy and stable, can be used immediately or the blemishes mentioned can be repaired upon request. The blemishes are only surface level and do not affect the functionality or structure of the chairs. See less