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Lot Essay
Breuer began corresponding with the English modernist architect F.R.S. Yorke in 1934, exploring the possibility of forming an architectural partnership together. Because of the difficult and unfavourable political climate in Germany, Breuer was anxious to emigrate to England as soon as possible, and his admission would have been greatly facilitated by a professional partnership in the UK. Breuer arrived in England in October 1935, and his partnership with Yorke lasted until 1937. Their joint projects were relatively few in number, and those executed were mainly houses for private clients, but also included the Temporary Exhibition House at the Royal Agricultural Show, Bristol, 1936. They also produced a competition project (never executed) entitled "A Garden City of the Future".
Breuer may have realised even before his arrival in England that he would be unable to earn sufficient income from architectural work alone, and Breuer's alliance with Jack Pritchard's Isokon Furniture Company, also begun in late 1935, was soon to supercede his partnership with Yorke.
The form of the plywood seat, cut with extending 'ears' at the head and foot end, and slotting into the laminated frame to effect attachment, is indicative of a very early date of production for the present chair (see: Christopher Wilk, op cit, p. 131).
It is reasonable to assume that the present chair was acquired by Yorke during his professional partnership with Breuer, possibly even whilst Breuer was still refining the Long Chair with Pritchard at Isokon. This would certainly accord with the inference drawn from the construction of the chair that the manufacture dates from circa 1936.
Breuer may have realised even before his arrival in England that he would be unable to earn sufficient income from architectural work alone, and Breuer's alliance with Jack Pritchard's Isokon Furniture Company, also begun in late 1935, was soon to supercede his partnership with Yorke.
The form of the plywood seat, cut with extending 'ears' at the head and foot end, and slotting into the laminated frame to effect attachment, is indicative of a very early date of production for the present chair (see: Christopher Wilk, op cit, p. 131).
It is reasonable to assume that the present chair was acquired by Yorke during his professional partnership with Breuer, possibly even whilst Breuer was still refining the Long Chair with Pritchard at Isokon. This would certainly accord with the inference drawn from the construction of the chair that the manufacture dates from circa 1936.