By Ringo Starr
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This rare coffee table was designed by ROR - Ringo or Robin Ltd, which was founded in 1969 by ex-Beatle Ringo Starr and British designer and artist Robin Cruickshank. Its previous owner - who lived in London - had bought the table direct from the Ringo or Robin high street shop in the 1970s. Interestingly, the table could also be bought for a limited time through a “Sunday Times Special Offer” for just £28.80 (see the last photo showing the advert). This simple, sophisticated and timeless coffee table has a thick glass table top, with a slight bevelled edge, which sits in a slot on each of the four round chromed steel legs.
The table has been well-loved and looked after over the years showing very little wear. There are some small nibbles on the corners of the glass that are not visible as they are hidden in the slots of the chrome legs.
Measurements: 125cm W x 53.5cm D x 38.5cm H. Glass measures 1.5cm thick.
ROR history:
In the early 1960s Robin Cruikshank’s small manufacturing and design company Design Associates began working for Apple Corps. At that time its management included Neil Aspinal, Peter Browne, Derek Taylor and Ron Kass and of course the four members of the Beatles. In 1969 Ringo moved house to Hampstead and Robin Cruikshank was called in to help him realise some of the designs that Ringo and his wife required for their new home. Robin had just started prototyping a new steel and glass furniture collection, and Ringo was able to add his own design ideas and improvements to Robin’s initial concepts. Their mutual interest in HiFi also helped further inspire the process with some interesting off the wall results.
In 1969 Ringo or Robin Ltd was formed, with offices located in the Apple building in Savile Row. Terms were agreed and a new company was born with a memorable and appropriate logo - a big red ‘O’ with a five pointed star over it and an ‘R’ each side! Ringo’s received a 51% stake and Robin a 49% stake, with any disagreements to be resolved by the toss of a coin!
In 1972 they relocated with Apple Corps to 54 St James Street. In 1974 they opened a showroom on the Thames River near the Tate Gallery and two years later moved to a new showroom in Rathbone Place in London’s West End. In 1981 they moved to Ex Warner Brothers offices in Cork Street, and in 1984/6 moved to larger offices in Conduit Street W1.
ROR clients included the British Prime Minister- Sir Edward Heath, singers David Bowie, Elton John, Harry Nilsson and Rod Stewart, actors such as Christopher Plummer, Anouska Hempel and many others.
In 1986 Ringo and Robin...
Category
Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Ringo Starr Furniture
