Frank Lloyd Wright is well-known for his architecture which is much discussed, but what about his furniture? Wright thought a building as art both inside and out and, therefore, embellishments such as furniture and fixtures belonged to the entire design. Somehow the concept of Mid Century Modern does not include Frank Lloyd Wright furniture. On the contrary, even though we, at this time, have a certain prescribed way of looking back on the mid century, Wright’s furniture has a place. His furniture also had widespread influence. According to Wright, “To thus make of a dwelling place a complete work of art… this is the modern American opportunity.”
Honestly, most Wright furniture follows an Arts and Craft style suitable for Prairie Style architecture. Only pieces designed for the Organic Style and later developments can be thought of as anywhere near Mid Century Modern. His heavy use of woods and the heft of the earlier works, although inventive and charming, seem old-fashioned in comparison to furniture of the International Style. Yet some of his furniture, like the furnishings for Taliesin West are inspirational and could easily find a place in a Mid Century Modern building.
This high-back dining chair (1900) is made of oak for the Ward Willits’ house in Highland Park, Illinois. The frame is heavy compared to Mid Century Modern and is an example of Wright’s Prairie Style.
Designed for the Francis W. Little’s house, this chair (1902-3) is made of oak and is typically “architectural”.
This chair (1904) was for the offices of the Larkin Building in Buffalo, New York and is made of steel and wood. Referring to the Larkin Building project, Wright states, “the first emphatic outstanding protest against the tide of meaningless elaboration sweeping the United States … The furniture was all made of steel and magnesite built into place—even the desks and chairs we made with the building.”
This chair was also for the Larkin Building (1904). Simple and linear, these chairs show influence of the De Stijl designers.
This print table was for the Francis W. Little’s summer house. It is made of oak.
This table (1912-15) made of white oak, also for Francis W. Little’s summer house, has a decidedly modern look.
Closer in time to us (1940), this furniture is made from a cyprus plywood for one of his Usonian houses.
The “Barrel Chair” by Frank Lloyd Wright was designed in 1937 for Herbert Johnson’s house.
Called “Origami” Chair, this chair is at Taliesin West.
Cyprus chair from the Laurent House, Rockford, Illinois USA. (1949)
Prairie style chairs. Edward E. Boyton House (1908) Rochester, New York.
John E. Christian House, Samara (1954). West Lafayette, Indiana. Usonian chairs.
“Peacock” chair, designed for the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, designed 1921-1922.
For S. C. Johnson & Son Company (1936-39)
The End…for now.
HBosler
https://www.midcenturymoderngroovy.com
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