Pair Streamline Modern Chests by Leo Jiranek

About the Item

Pair of 1938 vintage American Modern streamline art deco chests of drawers designed by Leo Jiranek and possibly manufactured by J.B. Van Sciver Co. of Camden, NJ. Unsigned. The design is bookended as each chest has a corresponding rounded vertical corner with waterfall edge, four drawers with chrome backplates and elongated lacquered horizontal pulls aligned to convey the Art Deco dynamics of speed and forward motion. So strong is the design that it is not necessary to place them side by side. They speak to one another from across a room and would make great bedside chests as well. The tops, horizontal pulls and base are lacquered black and have been freshly restored. The primavera wood cases and drawer faces have a highly polished and figural grained veneer. Drawers are clean and open and close as they ought. This specific design is often attributed to Donald Deskey which is understandable since Jiranek and Deskey were close associates and together in 1934 they formed AMODEC, Inc. for the manufacture and promotion of their own modern furniture designs. LEO A. JIRANEK (b. 1900 d. 1990) was known as the ''Dean of Furniture Designers," one of the Industry's first, and unrepentant freelancers, who enjoyed 67 years in the business.He studied engineering at Princeton University where he graduated in 1922. Throughout his career, Jiranek contributed to more furniture companies than any other known designer, among them Magnavox, Thomasville, Ethan Allen, Kroehler, Heywood Wakefield, The Lane Co., Bassett, Broyhill and Garrison. Born in Grand Rapids, a graduate engineer from Princeton, he was a past president and honorary lifetime member of the Grand Rapids Furniture Designers Association. He founded, wrote the constitution, and served as first president of the American Designers Institute (now Industrial Designers Society of America). In the 1960's, he founded and was president of the Jiranek School of Furniture Design and Technology in NYC which boasts many distinguished alumni. Known for his command, not only of technology and design but also marketing and merchandising acumen, he brought great subtleties to mass manufacture. Jiranek was awarded the degree of Doctor of Arts by Kendall College of Art & Design in 1984.

Creator:

Leo Jiranek (Designer)

Similar to:

Donald Deskey (Designer)

Dimensions:

Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 44 in (111.76 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)

Sold As:

Set of 2

Style:

Art Deco (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Chrome,Lacquered