George Nakashima Teak Grass Seated Chairs Set of Twenty India circa 1964

George Nakashima Teak Grass Seated Chairs Set of Twenty India circa 1964

Rare set of Twenty original mid twentieth century George Nakashima 'Ahmedabad' Teak grass seated chairs India circa 1964, the black ebonised teak frames in wonderful original barn find condition,  the chairs have deliberately not been restored and left as is, we can restore and replace the woven seats but they are all in perfectly useable condition albeit a bit dusty,  reserve now.

Please note: Price is per chair

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:
Ahmedabad
India
George Nakashima
Grass seated
Set of Twenty
1964
Teak
Rare
Investment
Practical & Beautiful

Condition: in original unrestored condition, all useable just in need of a good clean and dusting

Dimensions
Width: 21” / 54cm
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.