English mid-century furniture by Robert Heritage

Robert Heritage (1927-2017) was one of the most celebrated British furniture designers of the mid-20th century. He was known for his innovative and elegant designs, which often incorporated new materials and technologies. Heritage was also a highly influential educator, and he served as Professor of Furniture Design at the Royal College of Art from 1974 to 1985.

Heritage was born in Birmingham, England, in 1927. He studied art at Birmingham College of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. While at the Royal College of Art, he met his future wife, Dorothy. Together, they founded their own design studio in 1953.

In the early 1960s, Heritage began designing furniture for the East London firm Archie Shine. He quickly gained a reputation for his innovative and elegant designs. His furniture was often made from teak and rosewood, and it featured clean lines and simple geometric forms more... .

Heritage's work was also notable for its use of new materials and technologies. For example, he was one of the first designers to use foam rubber in furniture. He also experimented with new construction methods, such as the use of bentwood and laminated plywood.

In 1968, Heritage designed the interior of the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner, with Ernest Race. His design for the QE2 Restaurant Chair was particularly well-received. It was made from aluminum alloy and was designed to be both comfortable and durable.

Heritage continued to design furniture throughout his career. He also worked on a variety of other projects, including lighting, interiors, and industrial products. He was a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) and a Fellow of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers (FSIAD).

His work is represented in many major museum collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. less...