"Gazelle" Armchair
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Caption
Dan Johnson Studio, a Division of Arch Industries. "Gazelle" Armchair, designed 1956. Walnut, cane, brass, 37 11/16 x 21 x 23in. (95.7 x 53.3 x 58.4cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 1989.113. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.113_bw.jpg)
Title
"Gazelle" Armchair
Date
designed 1956
Geography
Place manufactured: Rome, Italy
Medium
Walnut, cane, brass
Classification
Dimensions
37 11/16 x 21 x 23in. (95.7 x 53.3 x 58.4cm)
Markings
Gummed paper label on back of seat, white printing on red: "MADE IN ITALY"
Credit Line
H. Randolph Lever Fund
Accession Number
1989.113
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
Can you tell me about this chair?
This is the "Gazelle" Armchair, designed by Dan Johnson Studio, a division of Arch Industries.This chair was designed in 1956. It's made of walnut, cane, and brass.The compound curves that form this chair were common in mid-20th century design. The caned back and seat were also hallmarks of the era.What about the shortened arms? Was that common or unique to a few studios?The abbreviated arms are are pretty unfamiliar to me so I would assume that they were relatively unique. It looks like Dan Johnson as well as another designer, Shelby Williams, used this "Gazelle" style of arms, so there may have been a few others.I would guess that the idea behind the design would be to give the sitter freedom of movement with their legs, as the arms are not connected to the seat. They would still allow you to rest your elbows on though, if you had your hands in your lap, or were reading a newspaper, for example.Thanks!
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