The now omnipresent design use of acrylic and Lucite owes much of its enduring popularity to seasoned creative Charles Hollis Jones. Nicknamed “Mr. Lucite,” the California-based furniture designer and artist made his reputation — and contributed to a lasting legacy for a material one might not immediately consider highbrow — with chairs, tables and other furnishings in the substance scientifically known as polymethyl methacrylate. But while the connecting thread through Jones’s body of work is the presence of translucent materials, his designs are anything but one-note.
The son of an Indiana carpenter, Jones has always been fascinated with structure and reinventing expected ones in new ways. He began working with furniture manufacturers while still a teenager and came to prominence in the 1960s and ’70s, researching and experimenting with techniques to shape acrylic into unconventional forms. “If I design a T-A-B-L-E without thinking of the name, then I can pretend I’ve never seen one,” he told PIN-UP magazine. His design combinations run the gamut from Lucite, brass and glass on elegant dining tables to more unusual applications of Lucite as legs for upholstered sofas and frames for Tibetan fur chairs.
Jones’s work is as varied as his client list, which has included Frank Sinatra, Sylvester Stallone and the Kardashians. For Tennessee Williams, he created a writing chair called the Wisteria chair. Jones also collaborated several times with modernist architect John Lautner, designing furniture that seemed to disappear into its surroundings.
He resides in Los Angeles, where he still designs today.
Find a range of new and vintage Charles Hollis Jones furniture on 1stdibs.
Rare Jewelry Box in Solid Brass with an Antique Finish by Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning and rare jewelry box made out of solid brass and Lucite designed in the 1960s by Charles Hollis Jones. The piece is very heavy and well made...
Brass
$380Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 11.25 in D 6.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Tissue Box in the Style of Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern Lucite tissue box in the style of Charles Hollis Jones, circa 1970s. The piece is very heavy and substantial with a horizontal gro...
Lucite
Charles X Cut-Crystal and Ormolu Jewelry Box
Located in Paris, FR
Exquisite oval-shaped cut-crystal antique jewelry box. The crystal is chiseled into twisted patterns, and the mounts are of gilt bronze, which is decorated with small flowers, pearls...
Crystal, Bronze
$1,750
H 15.75 in W 16 in D 11.5 in
Antique Chinese Brown Lacquered Dressing Case Jewelry Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese dressing case features a warm brown lacquer finish over softwood, with a rich grain pattern and a compact, rectangular form. Likely from the early 20th century, ...
Brass
Old Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Old Chinese wooden jewelry box with brass fittings and a jade plaque centrally placed on the lid, inside a pink/fuchsia lining with gold floral decoration, second half of the 20th ce...
Jade, Brass
Unique Antique Solid Rosewood Asian Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful craftsmanship and condition solid rosewood dovetail multi uses jewelry box, with detailed patinated brass hindges a beautiful elegant piece of art, nice condition and patina.
Brass
Antique Jewelry Box with Inlaid Wood Top
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple and elegant antique jewelry box with inlaid wood top, circa 1930s. The piece is more of a decorative item than functional; the top opens u...
Mahogany
Chinese Solid Elm Jewelry Box with Carved Flowers
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, solid elm wood jewelry box with carved flowers and three full length drawers. The box opens to support the mirror stand. There are two positions for the mirror to be hel...
Brass
Antique Jewelry Box Miniature Chest with Inlay
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique miniature chest of drawers it jewelry box in 4 drawers. Extensively inlayed fruitwood on walnut wood. In floral design , on all sides.
Wood
$544Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 10 in D 14 in
Large Chinese Rosewood Jewelry Box with Ornate Solid Brass Fittings
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Here is nice large Chinese rosewood jewelry box with ornate solid brass fitting with a round longevity symbol carved in the middle and light peach felt lining inside. Comes with lock...
Rosewood
Highly Decorated Renaissance Style Solid Brass Jewelry Trinket Box
Located in Montreal, QC
Highly decorated Renaissance style Belgium solid brass jewelry trinket box.
Brass
Vintage Nautical Wood with Inlaid Brass Jewelry Box
By Jonathan Adler, R & Y Augousti
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and Minimalist Jewelry box. This rare beauty is a unique box or decorative box that brings minimal shape with organic beauty. Constructed of wood panels that have been ligh...
Brass
1930's Chinese Solid Brass Dragon Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 1930's solid brass Chinese jewelry box with dragon inlay motif and wood interior, in vintage condition with some wear to the good and patina to the brass, lightly hand poli...
Brass
Charles Hollis Jones Lucite and Nickel Box
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of Charles Hollis Jones covered boxes in Lucite with nickel trim. These are vintage boxes purchased directly from Mr. Jones. They measure approx 7 by 4.25 inches in dimension ...
Nickel
Brass Waste Basket and Tissue Box Holder by Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A glamorous set of polished brass waste basket and tissue box holder designed by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1970s. This were special order by clien...
Brass