Original 1938 Kem Weber The Airline Chair for Walt Disney, Pair
- Description
These rare Pair of "Airline Chair" armchairs by the iconic modernist K.E.M. Weber (American b. Germany, 1889-1963) were originally designed in 1934 and produced in 1938 for the Walt Disney Studios in a limited run of 300. The innovative seat, upholstered in a woven green woolen fabric, reclines for added comfort supported by its cantilevered frame.
The chair consists of a rectangular seat and back cushions with wooden backing that are hinged together on the underside. The chair is supported on the sides by two wooden frames in the shape of an "e" that forms two-tiered armrests, front legs, and foot runners along the floor; vertical members are wider than horizontal ones; side frames are joined by front and back stretchers. Seat back fasted to back stretcher with leather straps and hooks.
Simply put, the "Airline Chair lounge chair is a masterpiece of modern design. Our chairs have been refinished and reupholstered to their original appearance. As his most famous design, the "Airline chair" armchair epitomizes the sleek and sophisticated modernism that came to define the Hollywood of the 1930s.
In 2008 Harveys on Beverly Sold an Airline chair to The Brooklyn Museum and is viewable on permanent display at the Luce Visible Storage and Study Center section on the 5th Floor.
These can be Sold as a pair or a single chair..
1938, United States
7 Day Returns
FAQ
I saw there’s a fabric option COM. What does that mean?
COM stands for “Customer’s Own Material.” When ordering from Harvey’s Private Collection, you may chose from Hawaiian Barkcloth selections or provide your own fabric. The yardage requirements are stated in each product description.
What is rattan?
Rattan is a plant in the palm family, which grows in tropical jungles. The largest source today is still the Philippines. Tough, solid stems of palasan rattan vary from one to two inches in diameter and grow as vines 200 to 500 feet in length. An easily replenishable resource, rattan is almost impervious to rot, is lightweight, and easy to handle. It is extremely pliable and strong, which makes it an ideal material for furniture and a lighter alternative to wood. Once cleaned, the stems can be used in strands for wicker or whole for furniture frames. It withstands extreme conditions of humidity and temperature and has a natural resistance to bug damage. To learn more about rattan furniture, see Harvey Schwartz’s bookRattan Furniture: Tropical Comfort Throughout the House.
Who was Paul T. Frankl and why is he important?
Paul T. Frankl (October 14, 1886–March 21, 1958) was an Art Deco furniture designer and maker, architect, painter, and writer from Vienna, Austria. Historians credit him, more than any other designer, with shaping the distinctive look of American Modernism in the years between the two world wars. The definitive book on Frankl is Christopher Long’sPaul T. Frankl and Modern American Design. Frankl’sThe Autobiography of a Modern American Designerwas published posthumously in 2013. His furniture is in the collections of more than 15 significant international museums, including Cooper-Hewitt/Smithsonian Design Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (purchased from Harvey’s Private Collection), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Vitra Design Museum.
Shipping
How can I see the furniture in person before purchasing?
Our warehouse is near Los Angeles, at 7801 Noble Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91405 US; (818) 387-6556. We are open Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm.
What are the terms of sale?
All items must be paid in full before being shipped out. Please contact us with any questions you might have before purchasing. California sales tax is applied to purchases made in California. We accept payment through credit card, wire transfer, and cash. We ship through USPS, UPS, FedEx, blanket wrap service, and Plycon; if you would like a difference shipping service please contact us before purchasing. Local pickup during normal business hours is free.
Returns
Items can be returned within 7 days of delivery. We do not accept returns on personalized, custom, or made-to-order items, such as seating cushions. A restocking fee of 15% of the item price applies. The buyer is responsible for return shipping charges and will not be reimbursed for the original shipping cost.