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1931

  • Work on this object began.

2015

2017

2025

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Armchair from the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society Building Armchair

This is a armchair. It was designed by William E. Lescaze. It is dated 1931 and we acquired it in 2015. Its medium is chromium-plated steel, leather upholstery, oak. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

William Lescaze used this model of chair in several buildings, including the PSFS Building in Philadelphia. A variant of this design appeared in Elizabeth Arden’s New York salon, whose 1931 décor, designed by Mrs. John Alden Carpenter, also included a lamp by Sabino, seen elsewhere in the exhibition.

This object was donated by George R. Kravis II. It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.

  • Folding Chair Armchair
  • maple (wood), paint, metal.
  • Museum purchase from General Acquisition Endowment.
  • 1985-29-2-a/d
  • B3 Chair
  • chrome-plated tubular steel, canvas.
  • Gift of Gary Laredo.
  • 1956-10-1-a,b
  •
  • B5 Side Chair
  • bent chrome-plated tubular steel, eisengarn (parafin treated cotton canvas).
  • Museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.
  • 2007-9-1

Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.

  • Chair
  • ash plywood, chromed steel, original leather.
  • Lent by Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Decorative Arts Council Fund,....
  • 36.2016.2

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 61 × 63.5 × 54.6 cm (24 in. × 25 in. × 21 1/2 in.)

Cite this object as

Armchair from the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society Building Armchair; Designed by William E. Lescaze (American, b. Switzerland, 1896–1969); chromium-plated steel, leather upholstery, oak; H x W x D: 61 × 63.5 × 54.6 cm (24 in. × 25 in. × 21 1/2 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2015-41-9

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/404536619/ |title=Armchair from the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society Building Armchair |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=5 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>