$7,500

United States
circa 1950

Exceedingly rare, sculpturally resonant Greta Grossman indoor/outdoor folding chair, of painted tubular steel and cotton cord, produced in California circa 1950 by Modern Color, Inc. The chaise and lounge versions of this chair are documented with staged archival photographs in the book “Greta Magnusson Grossman—A Car and Some Shorts” in the chronology at the end; the present side or dining chair version is not included in the chronology, but appears in a John Hartley photograph of Grossman’s own house in 1956. A similar version appears in a Donald Higgins period photo of the Backus House. (see attached photos). The outdoor lounge chair version subsequently appears in “Current Design” for Autumn 1950 curated by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Modern Color, Inc of Los Angeles is listed as the producer and distributor. Note that the same archival photo is used by Modern Color. Modern Color probably failed in its efforts to mass-market the chairs, perhaps sending a few prototypes around to museums or showrooms. The chairs have new cotton cord, following the original lines, but the “Greta Grossman” green paint is spot-on original, with obvious wear (and character) associated with age and use. I am not aware of any other examples of this design turning up in any collection or on the market (nor of the lounge version), so this is an exciting opportunity for a collector, curator, or designer to add a hitherto unseen item from one of America’s most important mid-century designer/architects. There is a second chair available; they are PRICED INDIVIDUALLY. Inquire if interested in both.

Condition
Fine structural condition. The “Grossman” green paint is original and shows patina and obvious wear associated with age and use. The cotton cord is new following original lines. See photos.

Measurements
Height: 33.5 in.
Width/length: 21 in.
Depth: 23 in.
Seat height: 18 in.

Specifications
Number of items: 2 (Priced individually)
Materials/techniques: Painted tubular steel; new cotton cord