BASILE, Ernesto
(b. 1857, Palermo, d. 1932, Palermo)

Chair

1902
Carved and joined stained wood with caned seat, 91 x 52 x 48 cm
Victoria and Albert Museum, London

This side chair with caned seat was designed by Ernesto Basile and made by Ducrot Company in Palermo. At first glance, the arms of this chair appear to be made of bentwood - solid or laminated wood bent into curves using pressure and steam. Careful examination, however, shows that the arms are, in fact, carved from solid wood. This use of traditional construction methods to imitate the effects created by new materials and techniques shows how fashionable the spare design and light construction of bentwood furniture had become.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.