1950s Robin Day for Hille Art Student Desk and Accompanying Stool

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1950s Robin Day for Hille Art Student Desk and Accompanying Stool

About the Item

Robin Day was one of Britain’s most prolific and recognized post war designers. Along with Ernest Race he pioneered the idea of creating simple designs using readily available materials that have endured the test of time and have since become highly collectable. Day, along with his textile designer wife Lucienne, opened a design practice in London in the late 1940s and soon came to the attention of Hille who commissioned him to produce an affordable range of seating and table systems constructed in wood and plywood. The Hillestak system was born in 1950 and was an instant success both with designers and architects – the system was often specified in various forms for schools and art colleges by Virtue of the hard wearing and simple ‘stackable’ design. His designs today are favoured for both the basic and honest nature of the materials used, which have their own appeal from a historical perspective, and the simple aesthetic beauty of the forms he created. The Hillestak range also offers practicality if space is at a premium whereby the chairs can either be stacked out of the way or the stools tucked under. This desk is believed to have been produced for an art college as it is relatively comfortable for an adult to sit at and although it almost certainly wasn’t designed with the stool in mind, the aniline leather topped stool does fit with it well. The set, whilst having been tidied up a little, is in its found condition and as you can see bears the scars of it’s past with pride. Whilst there are no love hearts carved in it, the desk has certainly been loved and well used and both items in the set are structurally sound with no loose joints. It’s quirky and different, whilst at the same time being both useful and practical.

Creator:
Robin Day (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 25.2 in (64 cm)Depth: 22.45 in (57 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Beech,Plywood
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1950-1955
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Newbury, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: RD desk 11stDibs: LU283539064443