George Nakashima (Ahmedabad) Grass Seated Rosewood Chairs India circa 1964

George Nakashima (Ahmedabad) Grass Seated Rosewood Chairs India circa 1964

Rare set of nine original George Nakashima (Ahmedabad) Grass Seated Rosewood Chairs India circa 1964, currently undergoing a full ‘top to toe’ intensive restoration and will be available in around 6 weeks, reserve now.

When the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad India invited George Nakashima to Ahmedabad in 1964. He spent three weeks in the three-year-old design institute's wood workshop, designing chairs, benches, tables, ottomans, lounges, daybeds, shelves and mirror frames. They kept being produced in limited numbers at the institute by detailed drawings and instructions left by Nakashima, until about 1975.

The Japanese-American designer has a deep India connect. Born in Spokane, Washington in 1905, Nakashima studied forestry and later architecture at the University of Washington. He completed his Masters in architecture from MIT and travelled extensively thereafter. He came to Pondicherry in 1937 to build Golconde, the dorm for Sri Aurobindo Ashram, with Czech American architect Antonin Raymond. Golconde would become India's first reinforced concrete building, an early example of modernist architecture in the country. This trip to India was Nakashima's first encounter with Indian culture and spirituality.

Furniture, according to Nakashima, was an extension of the life of a tree. He allowed the innermost features of natural wood, the burls, knots and grains to permeate his craft. "The design for the grass-seated chair by Nakashima has been dated to 1944, and continued to be manufactured using American Black Walnut and other woods in his studio in the United States until much later. Students who studied at NID in the 1960s recall him being in the NID studios and recount that Nakashima was deeply interested in the specific properties of local timbers such as teak and rosewood.

Summary:
Mid Century
Ahmedabad
India
George Nakashima
Original
Grass Seated Chairs
Set of Nine
1964
Rosewood
Investment
Rare
Certificate of Authenticity
Pre Restoration Images
Investment
Practical & Beautiful

Condition: These chairs are being restored to the highest possible standard and to the exact authentic specifications as to when these items were originally made whilst importantly retaining all historical marks, scuffs, character and patina.

Dimensions
Width: 18.5” / 46cm
Depth: 18.5” / 46cm
Height: 27” / 68cm
Floor to seat: 17” / 43cm

Delivery: Free UK delivery, please allow 7-14 days for delivery, worldwide shipping available, please ask for quote.