Good Questions: Who Made Fiberglass "Wing Chairs"?

11.29chair3.jpg Hello AT,

I've scoured the internet for a clue about the origins of this chair, but have turned up empty handed.

Although it obviously owes a debt to the Eames "Case Study Fiberglass Armchair", retrospectives on the Eames / Herman Miller era make no mention of a "wing chair". I suspect that it's just a later interpretation "inspired by" the Eames chairs.

So, the questions are: Any knowledge of mid-century production of a fiberglass "wing chair"? Were there many companies producing Herman Miller "kockoffs"? Thanks! K

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ANYONE??

Comments (17)

whatever a 'kockoff' is, I'm intrigued...

as I recall there were quite a few companies making fiberglass furniture long after Eames pioneered the use of fiberglass for furniture for the common man!!( why then has his /their furniture become so 'exclusive'and pricey)
We all talk about what is a 'real' Eames or Noguchi when in fact anything manufactured by anyone other than the original designer is a copy...no matter who the manufacturer..sure some stay truer to the original blueprint than others but the fact is, 'mass manufactured inexpensive yet stylish furniture' is EXACTLY what the Eames' wanted to produce- not limited edition signed art pieces that only a few lucky people can afford!!!Let's bring style back to the masses!!
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Yes, MANY companies produced similar chairs to the classic Eames shell chairs, the most predominant of which was Burke.

I don't know who designed or manufactured your chair, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that neither Herman Miller nor Charles Eames were involved in any way beyond inspiration.

Oh, Kruger was another company that made "Eames-inspired" fiberglass chairs. I couldn't think of the name when I posted my previous comment.

Well, whatever, I guess. The chair is very cool, no matter who designed it.

Btw, I think they meant "kNockoffs".

The other thing is something ENTIRELY different. Sort of like a "Bake Off" but not quite. ;)

I really thought I'd seen every 20th century chair out there by now. But this is a new one (to me, anyway). Cool, indeed. I don't even have room for another chair, but if I came across that, I'd have to buy it.

This chair was actually manufactured by Selig - a Danish company. I don't know who the actual designer was. Ib Kofod-Larsen, a relatively known Danish designer designed for Selig (which was also called Selig-Christensen at one time). I doubt he designed this chair. His usually material of choice was wood or wood and metal.

Your chair is by Luther Conover.

Elle, the owner of AustinModern.com here:
Definitely not Paul McCobb.

I agree with the above posts check Luther Conover, though to answer the other half of your question, YES there were a LOT of companies that made fiberglass chairs. Kruger made chairs almost exactly like the eames chairs, Burke, Chromecraft and numerous others also made copies.
I like your chair, it's spiffy and unique.

Best, Elle

I know this is an old thread, but for the sake of people like me doing research, I thought I'd post a comment. This chair was made by Selig, the designer was Peabody. I have an orange one, with the tag intact on the bottom.

Hi ..I have 2 of these chairs. The company also made a rocker. In a book titled Decorative Art 50s edited by Charlotte and Peter Fiell,you will see a picture of the rocker on page 174. The designer was Lawrence Peabody. The maker was Selig of Leominster (Massachusetts, i believe) year 1955-56.

Again i thought i'd post on these chairs as i see them incorrectly identified ...usually to Luther Conover. They are made by Selig of Leominster,designed by Lawrence Peabody...and i have great vintage book copyright 1955 "Modern Home Decorating" By Gerry Gruen. They are on page 21 with id.