Gerald Summers Tea Trolley - Made by Makers of Simple Furniture (1931-1940)

Gerald Summers Tea Trolley - Made by Makers of Simple Furniture (1931-1940).

Birch Plywood.
1935 - 1937.

This very practical asymmetric 'dinner wagon' is supported by four composite castors with an unusual sprung suspension mechanism, designed by Summers, allowing smooth running over varied surfaces. It was offered in white, black or natural polish and supplied with rubber coverings to both surfaces in brown, red, blue, black or white. The clever design (form follows function) allows easy access to the lower tier with just two upright supports.

The most innovative designer in Britain in the 1930's Gerald Summers' significance is only now being appreciated as emphasis has heretofore been placed upon the achievements of European and Scandinavian designers and because 'Makers of Simple Furniture' was a small company, producing mainly to order, without the publicity machine of larger workshops.

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London have an example of this design in their collections and they state that Summers original design drawing was dated 28th January 1935.

Provenance:
Jessie Ball Collection 1935/37-2000 (Employee of Makers of Simple Furniture)
Andrew McIntosh Patrick 2000-2008

Museums & Exhibitions:
Victoria & Albert Museum: Summers work is now included in the new 20th Century Furniture Galleries which opened at the V & A in November, 2012
Museum of Modern Art, New York 2013/14: The Magic of Plywood
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Vitra Design Museum
Thirties British Art and Design before the War organized by the Arts Council of Great Britain, London 1979
'Constructivism in Art & Design' Crafts Council Gallery, London 1988

Bibliography:
The Design History Journal 1992 Vol.5 No.3 - precis of Masters' thesis by Martha Deese, Metropolitan Museum New York
Gerald Summers: Furniture For the Concrete Age Dunn and Mantz pub.2012
1000 Chairs Charlotte and Peter Fiell, Cologne 2000 p.232
Design for Today 1934
100 Masterpieces Vitra Design Museum
Furnishing the small Home published London and New York 1930's by the Studio Ltd.
A History of British Design 1839-1970 Fiona McCarthy pub.1972
Bent Wood and Metal Furniture 1850-1946 University of Washington Press edited by Derek E. Ostergard

Dimensions

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Stock number