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Ernest Race Furniture

British, 1913-1964

Ernest Race was a British textile artist and furniture designer, born in 1913, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. After graduating with a degree in interior design from London’s Bartlett School of Architecture, he joined the lighting firm, Troughton & Young, as a draughtsman. He was a key figure in the British furniture design industry in the 1900s, with his skill involving the use of ingenious manufacturing processes to create contemporary furniture from improvised or recycled materials.

After visiting a weaving village in India in 1937, Ernest returned to London and opened a shop in Knightsbridge, to sell textiles and carpets. He did not start designing furniture until just after World War II, when he answered an advertisement from engineer, J.W. Noel Jordan. His best-known designs are the BA3 aluminium chair of 1945 and the Antelope, designed for the “Festival of Britain” in 1951.

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Creator: Ernest Race
Set Of Four Mid Century Ernest Race Antelope Chairs
Set Of Four Mid Century Ernest Race Antelope Chairs

Set Of Four Mid Century Ernest Race Antelope Chairs

By Ernest Race

Located in Norwich, GB

Set of four mid century Antelope chairs designed by Ernest Race. Each labelled: Race Made in England. Circa late 1950's. Originally designed for the Festival of Britain 1951 as an interior and al fresco chair...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

Vintage Ernest Race Heron Armchair and Footstool in White Bouclé, Britain, 1950s
Vintage Ernest Race Heron Armchair and Footstool in White Bouclé, Britain, 1950s

Vintage Ernest Race Heron Armchair and Footstool in White Bouclé, Britain, 1950s

By Race Furniture, Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

A completely reupholstered Heron chair by Ernest Race from the 1950s, along with original footstool. An impressive and ergonomic design, the Heron armchair...

Category

1950s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

EARLY ERNEST RACE DA Sofa, 1949, Classic British Design
EARLY ERNEST RACE DA Sofa, 1949, Classic British Design

EARLY ERNEST RACE DA Sofa, 1949, Classic British Design

By Ernest Race

Located in Sherborne, GB

A Classic piece of British design, this early DA sofa designed by Ernest Race has a welded steel frame with coil sprung seats and beech legs. Recently r...

Category

1940s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

Rare Ernest Race 'Neptune' lounge chair. c1953 England
Rare Ernest Race 'Neptune' lounge chair. c1953 England

Rare Ernest Race 'Neptune' lounge chair. c1953 England

By Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

An early Ernest Race 'Neptune' chair. Beech plywood with the early brass fittings and webbing. Folds to an incredible 12cm Structurally sound with a lovely patina

Category

1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Beech, Plywood

Ernest Race Rocking Chair, 1940s, England
Ernest Race Rocking Chair, 1940s, England

Ernest Race Rocking Chair, 1940s, England

By Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

Designed by Ernest Race in 1948. A very rare low volume original, it has become a highly recognised design classic. Constructed from bent steel rod, the chair is very comfortable. ...

Category

1940s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

Cast Aluminum and Vinyl "BA3" Chairs by Ernest Race for Race Furniture
Cast Aluminum and Vinyl "BA3" Chairs by Ernest Race for Race Furniture

Cast Aluminum and Vinyl "BA3" Chairs by Ernest Race for Race Furniture

By Ernest Race

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Pair of English, Mid-Century Modern, cast aluminum "BA3" side chairs designed by Ernest Race for Race Furniture feature upholstered seats and backs in perforated putty gray vinyl.

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Unique 1950s Springbok Garden Table and Chairs Set by Ernest Race
Unique 1950s Springbok Garden Table and Chairs Set by Ernest Race

Unique 1950s Springbok Garden Table and Chairs Set by Ernest Race

By Ernest Race, Race Furniture

Located in Shepperton, Surrey

A unique 1950s table with four accompanying "Springbok" chairs by Ernest Race for Race Furniture. Made for the 1951 Festival of Britain, the chairs are of original vintage. The chairs bear remnants of the Race Furniture label. The bespoke Springbok table was made by Ernest Race in the 50s to accompany the chairs and is as rare as it gets. This set is documented in the Antique Trade Gazette: Ernest Race, who died at the early age of 51 in 1964, established his eponymous company in 1945 and is best known for his 'Antelope' and 'Springbok' chairs that were unveiled at the Festival of Britain and used steel rod frames with plywood and spring seats. Pictured here is a set of four 'Springbok' chairs as shown at the festival accompanied by a unique custom-made table. Both use Race’s characteristic steel rod frames and ball feet. The set has had some conservation work, including the addition of transparent tubing to protect areas where the plastic webbing has split. It remains in very useful condition and would make the ultimate MCM garden...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

Round Coffee Table, Rare Ernest Race Design, 1940s
Round Coffee Table, Rare Ernest Race Design, 1940s

Round Coffee Table, Rare Ernest Race Design, 1940s

By Race Furniture, Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

Ernest Race Coffee Table Designed by Ernest Race in the 1940s Cast aluminium legs Walnut veneer table top with aluminium banding.

Category

1940s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

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Rare Jens Risom Walnut & Light Fabric Floating Lounge Chair, 1953
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Previously Available Items
Penguin Donkey Mk 2 by Ernest Race for Isokon
Penguin Donkey Mk 2 by Ernest Race for Isokon

Penguin Donkey Mk 2 by Ernest Race for Isokon

Sold

H 15.75 in W 21.07 in D 15.56 in

Penguin Donkey Mk 2 by Ernest Race for Isokon

By Ernest Race, Isokon

Located in Little Burstead, Essex

A completely original untouched Isokon Donkey (small bookshelf) by Ernest Race, not restored, structurally very sound, some small blemishes to the paint ...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Bottleship, designed by Ernest Race for Isokon London, circa 1963, in cherry ply
Bottleship, designed by Ernest Race for Isokon London, circa 1963, in cherry ply

Bottleship, designed by Ernest Race for Isokon London, circa 1963, in cherry ply

By Ernest Race, Isokon

Located in Wargrave, Berkshire

This iconic 1960s mini bar / bookcase / side table was designed by Ernest Race in 1963 at the invitation of Isokon's founder Jack Pritchard to redesign the original bottleship by Egon Riss...

Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Plywood

'Cormorant' Folding Chair By Ernest Race
'Cormorant' Folding Chair By Ernest Race

'Cormorant' Folding Chair By Ernest Race

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H 27.17 in W 20.87 in D 22.64 in

'Cormorant' Folding Chair By Ernest Race

By Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

'Cormorant' Folding Chair By Ernest Race The cormorant folding chair is a timeless masterpiece designed by the renowned Ernest Race. This exquisite piece, crafted by Ernest Race L...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Teak

Hunting Aviation Metal Desk Ernest Race
Hunting Aviation Metal Desk Ernest Race

Hunting Aviation Metal Desk Ernest Race

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H 30 in W 46.5 in D 21 in

Hunting Aviation Metal Desk Ernest Race

By Ernest Race

Located in New York, NY

Ernest Race designed Metal Desk for P.W. Cow / Hunting Aviation, United Kingdom 1946. A wonderful piece of British Design History Desk by Ernest Race. The aluminum metal has a pattern to its surface as aircraft panels...

Category

1940s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

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Aluminum, Steel

Pair of model DA2 armchairs by Ernest Race. English 1949.
Pair of model DA2 armchairs by Ernest Race. English 1949.

Pair of model DA2 armchairs by Ernest Race. English 1949.

By Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

A very good pair of model DA2 armchairs by Ernest Race. English 1949. Carefully reupholstered in an authentic blue boucle to keep the original line and retaining the makers label. Di...

Category

1940s British Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Ernest Race, Isokon Donkey Mk 2, 1963, mid-century classic shelf unit / display
Ernest Race, Isokon Donkey Mk 2, 1963, mid-century classic shelf unit / display

Ernest Race, Isokon Donkey Mk 2, 1963, mid-century classic shelf unit / display

By Ernest Race, Isokon

Located in London, GB

Ernest Race, UK. Isokon Donkey Mark 2 Designed 1963 for the Isokon Furniture Company. Cream-white painted plywood with wooden legs. L 53 cm, W 41 cm,...

Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Wood

Festival Of Britain Pair of ‘Antelope’ Chairs by Ernest Race
Festival Of Britain Pair of ‘Antelope’ Chairs by Ernest Race

Festival Of Britain Pair of ‘Antelope’ Chairs by Ernest Race

By Ernest Race

Located in Petworth, GB

Festival of Britain ‘Antelope’ pair of chairs designed by Ernest Race and made by Ernest Race Ltd. Designed for the Festival of Britain 1951 as inside and outside chairs for restaura...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Ernest Race, Vintage DA Armchair, 1940's, in Black Velvet
Ernest Race, Vintage DA Armchair, 1940's, in Black Velvet

Ernest Race, Vintage DA Armchair, 1940's, in Black Velvet

By Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

Vintage 'DA 1' armchair by Ernest Race for Race Furniture, Circa 1946. - England. Rare 1st production, with aluminium legs & coil spring seat newly upholstered in black velvet. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Vintage Mid Century Ernest Race Heron Chair, Original Wool Upholstery
Vintage Mid Century Ernest Race Heron Chair, Original Wool Upholstery

Vintage Mid Century Ernest Race Heron Chair, Original Wool Upholstery

By Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

A completely original vintage Heron chair by Ernest Race from the 1950s. An impressive and ergonomic design, the Heron armchair utilised Race’s innovative ...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

Ernest Race Furniture Desk Chair, from the Sheppey Range, 1960s
Ernest Race Furniture Desk Chair, from the Sheppey Range, 1960s

Ernest Race Furniture Desk Chair, from the Sheppey Range, 1960s

By Ernest Race, Race Furniture

Located in London, GB

A very unusual chair, marked on the underside with a paper Race Furniture label. Constructed from box section steel, this is a reception chair from...

Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of Ernest Race Flamingo Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
Pair of Ernest Race Flamingo Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

Pair of Ernest Race Flamingo Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

By Ernest Race, Race Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This rare set of 'Flamingo' lounge chairs was designed in 1959 by the English designer, Ernest Race. The same year the chair was introduced, it was granted the 'design of the year aw...

Category

1950s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Steel

Ernest Race, Penguin Donkey Bookcase by for Isokon
Ernest Race, Penguin Donkey Bookcase by for Isokon

Ernest Race, Penguin Donkey Bookcase by for Isokon

Sold

H 16.93 in W 20.87 in D 15.75 in

Ernest Race, Penguin Donkey Bookcase by for Isokon

By Ernest Race

Located in London, GB

Mid 20th Century Penguin Donkey Mark II side table was designed in 1963 by Ernest Race The piece serves as a multi-functional unit with bookshe...

Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ernest Race Furniture

Materials

Wood

Ernest Race furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Ernest Race furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ernest Race furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Ernest Race were created in the mid-century modern style in united kingdom during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Omersa, Hille, and Arkana Furniture. Prices for Ernest Race furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $956 and can go as high as $12,741, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,474.