Vintage bentwood maple and glass dining set by Frank Gehry for Knoll International, 1980

Frank Gehry compact dining set includes 2 Cross Check chairs in bent maple wood matched with a Face Off maple and glass dining table made by Knoll International.Originally conceived in the late 1980s, Gehry's Cross Check chairs and Face Off table were part of a collection produced by Knoll International in collaboration with its most famous consultant, New York art collector and socialite Barbara Jakobson. After three years of experimentation and exploration, the collection was featured in the Frank Gehry New Furniture Prototypes exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1992 and production began shortly thereafter; the collection was an immediate success and many models are still produced today. Inspired by the sturdiness of the apple crates he played on as a child, Gehry created his ribbon-like designs using thin strips of maple plywood glued together with flexible glue. The resulting structures echo many of the sculptural and organic forms that have become his architectural trademark. As always, Gehry's designs transcend stylistic conventions by exploring the essential challenge of deriving form and function, and his collection for Knoll exemplifies this philosophy. The chairs, in particular, exhibit the same style of flowing lines and surfaces found in many of his most celebrated designs. As such, they appear as deconstructed form elements that exploit sinuous curves in pursuit of the perfect seating experience. In this way, the clever use of bent and intertwined plywood slats produces a soft springing effect that ensures the comfort of the seat and back. Both chairs and the table date from 1998 and bear the maker's mark and Gehry's signature at the base of each piece, as shown in the accompanying photos. All of the pieces in this set are in very good original condition, with the woodwork showing minor marks and signs of use, as would be expected. The glass has no chips and only minor surface scratches; it can be removed from the base if necessary for storage or transport. The set is perfect for a smaller dining room or in a breakfast room, conservatory or covered patio.Dimensions:Table - H74 x Dia 102cmChairs: H85 x W59 x D57cm Seat height: 46cm