Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Button Back Arm Chair by Robsjohn Gibbings in Holly Hunt Fabric
Mid-Century Modernist Walnut Button Back Arm Chair by Robsjohn Gibbings in Holly Hunt Fabric
This effortlessly elegant and timeless Mid Century Modern chair was realized by the legendary designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in the United States circa 1950. Gibbings was renowned for assimilating classical influences into silhouettes that were distilled and inarguably modern. This armchair is a stunning testament to his practice- containing all of the aspects that discerning collectors of his design objects (and afficionados of the period) adore. The arm chair offers a finely articulated hand rubbed walnut frame that traces the back cushion; button detailing on the front; and geometric upholstered sides from which the walnut arms emerge before descending at a right angle, where they meets the chair's apron and then continue their journey, transforming into the front legs. The hind legs are dynamically arched, apparently poised to leap, while the front legs gently turn at their nadir- two quintessential, and instantly recognizable elements of Robsjohn Gibbing's practice. The chair has been newly reupholstered in horizontally striated flaxen fabric that welted on the edges. With its beautiful attention to detail and clean modernist lines, this chair would be a winning addition to any style of interior from traditional to contemporary. It has been newly restored to mint condition.
American, circa 1950
Dimensions:
Height: 31.5 in. (80.01 cm) x Width: 26 in. (66.04 cm) x Depth: 31 in. (78.74 cm)
Seat Height: 21 in. (53.34 cm)
Creator: T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (Designer)
Style: Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Fabric, Walnut
Place of Origin: United States
Period: 1950-1959
Date of Manufacture: circa 1950
Condition: Excellent, Reupholstered.
Reference Number: LU793429284752
T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS
Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings, a renowned English designer, was born in 1905 and gained fame for his modern furniture designs that elegantly infused classical Greek and Roman elements. His academic journey began at the University of London, where he studied architecture. However, his passion extended beyond the academic, drawing him often to the British Museum where he immersed himself in the study of classical arts.
In 1929, Robsjohn-Gibbings moved to New York, where he initially worked with the distinguished Charles Duveen. By 1936, he had established himself as an independent interior designer, rapidly becoming a notable figure in American design. His philosophy that "the modern should stem from the very ancient" guided his creations, blending ancient symmetry with contemporary functionality. This approach earned him critical acclaim and led to his engagement with Widdicomb Furniture Company in 1946 to design a line of furniture that was celebrated by House Beautiful and featured at the Museum of Modern Art’s Good Design exhibit in 1951.
Robsjohn-Gibbings's career also had a literary aspect; he authored humorous novels like Goodbye, Mr. Chippendale, which critiqued America’s fascination with antique furniture. His later years were spent in Greece, the heartland of classical art that had long inspired him. There, he designed for high-profile clients like Aristotle Onassis and the Niarchos family. He lived in Athens overlooking the Parthenon until his death in 1976.
Robsjohn-Gibbings’s contributions to design were not just limited to furniture; he also ventured into the design of interiors for notable personalities and public spaces, maintaining a focus on integrating classical aesthetics into modern contexts. His works are now part of permanent collections at prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
His early life in England and the subsequent move to New York set the stage for a career that would influence design aesthetics profoundly. Robsjohn-Gibbings's work continues to be revered for its visionary blending of ancient elegance with modern simplicity, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of 20th-century design.