ARTS AND CRAFTS: Ford Johnson Rabbit Ear Arm Chair
History
This iconic Arts and Crafts style chair was designed and created around 1905. The Arts and Crafts movement spread from England and Europe to the USA, where it became rather popular.
Designed and Manufactured by
J. S Ford, Johnson & Company, USA
Materials
Timber and leather
Elements and Principles
Shape is the Element and Symmetrical Balance is the Principle of this design. This chair is built of rectangular shapes: the seat, the backrest, the slats of the backrest, the slats of the arms and legs – they all are arranged in symmetrical balance, giving the chair a feel of strength, predictability and reliability.
Used by Designers
In late 19th – early 20th century such armchairs were used in residential homes, home offices, particularly in the USA. Nowadays the style is going through a modest revival period, in the USA in particular. Antique sales of furniture items from this period have recently been gaining significant interest and increasing prices. The Arts and Crafts chairs represented the flagship values of traditional craftsmanship and simple forms.
Similar
The above chair was designed and manufactured later in the Arts and Crafts period. At that time a number of similar chairs already had been created, starting from the iconic Morris chair the style of which has clearly influenced the Rabbit Armchair.
Resources
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Armchair1.JPG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_movement#/media/File:Armchair1.JPG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_and_Johnson_Chair_Company
http://www.treadwaygallery.com/lots.php?s=2&auctionID=11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Stickley
