catalog text
RARE SET OF EIGHT BRITISH MODERNIST STITCHED-LEATHER AND CHROMED STEEL DINING CHAIRS
Richard Young for Merrow Associates, United Kingdom, circa 1980 | unmarked
Item # 307HXK27A
A rare angular and very compelling set of chromed steel dining chairs retaining their original stitched saddle leather seats, they are a design by Richard Young for Merrow Associates in England. The firm was started by Richard Young in the 1960s and aimed at producing furniture of the highest quality for the upper-end of the market. They continued to operate into the 1980s and are believed to have liquidated after the challenging times the luxery market faced in the mid-to-late 70s.
The work they produced and marketed was always of exceedingly good quality and that is evident in the present set of chairs as well. With a very heavy grade of steel, the hollow tubular form has unusual weight to it with a thick chrome plating of very good quality and machined elements that allow the leather to hang seamlessly from the frame on long tubes with slotted screw joinery. The welding work is top-notch and remains nearly invisible under the chrome plating. They view transparently from all angles with the reflective surfaces of the polished metal mirroring the surrounding elements and almost disappearing into the room. Incredibly sleek and a very scarce design.
Measurements: 31 7/8" H x 22" D x 19 1/8" W x 18" H to seat
Condition Report:
One seat repaired from the underside (with a fabric support restitched into the leather where it wraps around the frame); extensive wear and blemishes to the original leather throughout; wear to the chroming with some of the brassy-undertones of the underlying metal showing through (more notable on one chair, but several with minor wear to this effect), some trace pitting and scuffing to chrome throughout. Very high quality and of a remarkable heavy build - comfortable and incredibly sturdy.