Atomic John Crichton Boomerang Style Woven Chair by The Blind Institute
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This rare and playful woven cane chair is one of a number of cane chairs designed by John Crichton in the 1950s. He was familiar with the material and had developed other cane pieces that were crafted by members of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind in Parnell, Auckland.
The Blind Institute Cane Chair references the whimsical atomic style that was popularised in the United States during the 1950s. ‘Molecular’ legs are attached to a fluid, amoeba-like seat finished in contrasting black-and-white woven cane. A very narrow front profile allows the chair to be easily moved through doors and enjoyed in indoor and outdoor environments.
Crichton was a fan of informal spaces that could be rearranged depending on the social occasion, a departure from the bulky, heavy-set furniture and formal rooms of prior generations. His aesthetic is defined by Pacific and Asian influences combined with a modernist approach.
Each piece is checked and carefully hand restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
Each piece is checked and carefully restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
- Joints checked and reglued
- Timber cleaned and stains removed
- Veneer repairs if needed
- Surfaces polished / refinished
The items showcased in our gallery are constantly changing – not all items are on display at once.
Please enquire if there is a specific piece you would like to view and we’ll make sure it’s in the gallery.
All pieces are available for collection in person from our Ponsonby gallery. We are also happy to provide a quote for delivery throughout New Zealand.
Please enquire for delivery options.
Atomic John Crichton Boomerang Style Woven Chair by The Blind Institute
Note: We showcase a curated edit from the Mr. Bigglesworthy catalogue. Please contact us to view specific items.
John Crichton was born in Bombay in 1917 and moved to England as a child. Not long after graduating with a qualification in design from Birmingham College of Art, Crichton was enlisted as an official photographer for WWII. He was stationed in Burma from 1939 to 1945. While serving in Burma, Crichton chanced to find his para-delivered film reels were wrapped in pages from the publication 'Architectural Review' a very exciting discovery. After serving in Burma, Crichton spent a period of time working in interior design in Malaysia.
New Zealand benefited from Crichton's knowledge when he opted to emigrate to New Zealand in 1949. With his qualifications and international exposure he was part of the introduction of a new approach to interior style. Pan Pacific Modernism combined Pacific and Asian influences in interior decoration with a modernist philosophy and its structured aesthetic. Crichton was a prolific interior and industrial designer. Based in a small store on Kitchener Street in Auckland he designed interiors, bespoke furniture and objects for his own spaces and others.
Today, Crichton is most recognised for his mosaic tile bowls although all his work is highly sought after. "Decorative Art 1950s" published by Taschen showcases a total of fifteen of Crichton's designs, which hold their own alongside the best in the world.
