Robin Day, Hille dining set, 1950
Hille dining set by Robin Day, 1950.
The Hillestak chair was Robin Day’s first truly modernist design with Hille. Having won the MoMA Low-Cost Furniture Award in 1948 with Clive Latimer, he was commissioned by Hille to design furniture, primarily for export. These initial designs honoured Hille’s craftsmanship but lacked progressive technology and material. In 1950 his Hillestak chair moved Hille into uncharted territories and set a path for their longstanding partnership producing contemporary design.
The influence of Aalto and Eames is clear in the moulded components employed in Hillestak. The spine provides some flexibility, whilst the curved seat and back offer comfort without the need for upholstery.
Robin Day moved the design towards further functionality through the elegant stacking leg configuration. The chair rose vertically in a stack, proving to offer greater applications in commercial and home environments than its contemporaries. The veneered surfaces could contrast with the rear and leg finishes to provide a strikingly dynamic aesthetic, that would accentuate the moulded plywood forms.
The chairs offered are the earlier variation with a U-shaped joint, which was changed to a V-format in the mid-1950s.
Hillestak was Robin day’s first commercial success with Hille, and the design extended to a table, desk and low table, all sharing the A-frame leg design.
The dining table offered is a rare dowel leg version of the 677 table, ordinarily only available with a steel rod base. The table offers a more generous scale than the Hillestak table. The early design bears the first version Hille badge beneath. The Nigerian cherry veneer top is also in contrast with the beech frame and legs of the table, and the legs and rear faces of the Hillestak chairs. The top has a generous bevel that creates a fine profile and lightness to the tabletop.
The whole ensemble is extremely rare and embodies the refined design excellence of Robin Day’s early work.
Vintage
This is a one off vintage item that is also on display in store. Therefore it can only be purchased once availability has been confirmed. If you wish to purchase please call 020 7288 1996 or enquire.
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Description
Hille dining set by Robin Day, 1950.
The Hillestak chair was Robin Day’s first truly modernist design with Hille. Having won the MoMA Low-Cost Furniture Award in 1948 with Clive Latimer, he was commissioned by Hille to design furniture, primarily for export. These initial designs honoured Hille’s craftsmanship but lacked progressive technology and material. In 1950 his Hillestak chair moved Hille into uncharted territories and set a path for their longstanding partnership producing contemporary design.
The influence of Aalto and Eames is clear in the moulded components employed in Hillestak. The spine provides some flexibility, whilst the curved seat and back offer comfort without the need for upholstery.
Robin Day moved the design towards further functionality through the elegant stacking leg configuration. The chair rose vertically in a stack, proving to offer greater applications in commercial and home environments than its contemporaries. The veneered surfaces could contrast with the rear and leg finishes to provide a strikingly dynamic aesthetic, that would accentuate the moulded plywood forms.
The chairs offered are the earlier variation with a U-shaped joint, which was changed to a V-format in the mid-1950s.
Hillestak was Robin day’s first commercial success with Hille, and the design extended to a table, desk and low table, all sharing the A-frame leg design.
The dining table offered is a rare dowel leg version of the 677 table, ordinarily only available with a steel rod base. The table offers a more generous scale than the Hillestak table. The early design bears the first version Hille badge beneath. The Nigerian cherry veneer top is also in contrast with the beech frame and legs of the table, and the legs and rear faces of the Hillestak chairs. The top has a generous bevel that creates a fine profile and lightness to the tabletop.
The whole ensemble is extremely rare and embodies the refined design excellence of Robin Day’s early work.
Dimensions
One table and four chairs
152 x 76cmh
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