Vintage Atomic Age Wide Vinyl Strapped Aluminum Framed Dining Armchairs - Set of 4

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A set of 4 nearly impossible to locate and acquire vintage unmarked rounded cube shaped chairs with plush forest green … Read more A set of 4 nearly impossible to locate and acquire vintage unmarked rounded cube shaped chairs with plush forest green leaf pattern cushions. The Frames are unique in that there are no screws or nuts that fasten the frame together. The entire frame is welded into a single chair making it unbelievably strong and solid. Among the most interesting features are the rounded or arched arms that are welded to became a modified sled base that that have two stretchers that are positioned from right to left at the knee and at the lower back only and then welded onto the rounded arm and the floating seat. These chairs are lightweight, as in not-much-more-than-a-feather and yet they are study as steel as a result of brilliant engineering. They are silver toned aluminum frames with matching grey/silver wide vinyl straps at the seat and back rest. The straps (4 at the recline and 4 on the seat are strung taut and more stiff than they are bouncy as are the typical multi strapped average version.

Space Age Motif
There is no makers mark to identify the manufacturer with absolute certainty. So after over a year of trying to figure out who the brilliant manufacturer is for this set, we must provide attribution to the following: Richard Frinier for Brown Jordan "Quantum" Series, The Brazilia Collection by Tropitone or even a collection from Russell Woodard. It gets confusing because without a marking on the pieces its hard to definitively say who designed it, but for its unique characteristics i.e. rounded corners, type of straps, material used, or weight of the chair, the type of construction all seem to be identical and then as we look closer we would notice difference between this set and the one we thought was our maker and eventually we determine that its not a perfect match. We then run across a listing that identifies a perfect match for our chairs and its credited to Innovo. After researching Innovo it seems very unlikely it was the company that made the chairs and we are back at square one.

So, our very best studied conclusion is that they are likely made by Tropitone which is now under the same ownership as Brown Jordan. The set is likely a reinterpretation of the company's original 1960’s design from the Brasilia Collection.

The Green leaf patterned plush cushions that are included with these chairs give them an ultra luxury touch. It's likely that you may consider this set to be your new "forever" patio chair set.

one final thing...
The best part is the light weight... thanks to aluminum and NASA.
Aluminum as a material itself when first used for furniture in the 1950s evoked a atomic age feel. While America was gearing up to send aluminum rockets to the moon, outdoor furniture makers revolutionized patio furniture in the 1950s by discovering an alternative to the heavy iron and steel predecessors. Wrought iron and cast iron looked lovely and still do, but they were nevertheless considered out of fashion with styles staying the same for at least 100 years without much variation. Not only that but they were cumbersome in weight, and sizzling hot to the touch when sitting under the sun. The aluminum competition was safer for the family especially with their light weight qualities and were cool to the touch instead of sitting in a frying pan. These chairs continue to feel ahead of their time for several reasons not only for their lightweight sturdiness, the Space Age feel of the design entirely finished in an industrial grey tone including the straps and the frame conjures the feeling as if these might be found on NASAs list of outdoor patio favorites for an outer space backyard astronaut party if such a thing existed. See less