GERALD SUMMERS FOR MAKERS OF SIMPLE FURNITURE, LONDON, CIRCA 1933-1934

Designed for use in the tropics, this innovative armchair was constructed from a single piece of bent plywood in order to withstand increased levels of humidity which so adversely effect traditional joinery. Its lack of upholstery also ensured it was less likely to suffer from rot or insect infestation. The apparent simplicity of construction and the relatively low-cost of the wood, which must have initially influenced Summers' choice of material, did not however lead to a low-cost chair. The production costs were relatively high, and consequently the chair was unable to compete with less expensive plywood designs already available from Scandinavia. The demand for the chair was small. Only 120 examples were produced before Makers of Simple Furniture closed in 1940.
cf. 100 Masterpieces from the Vitra Design Museum Collection, exhibition catalogue, 1996, p. 111; Charlotte and Peter Fiell, 1000 Chairs, 1997, p. 232 for illustrations of this model.