Revered Roy Lippincott Chairs for University of Auckland Arts Building
American Architect Roy Lippincott completed his architecture degree at Cornell University before working for several prominent ‘Chicago School’ architectural firms. His resume includes completing several of Frank Lloyd Wright’s projects after Lloyd Wright fled to Europe in 1909.
In 1921 Lippincott jointly won a design competition for the Auckland University Arts Building and moved to Auckland shortly afterwards. The architectural design is considered a landmark building for central Auckland, particularly loved for its incorporation of local references including ponga fronds, flax seedpods and kaka and kea.
Lippincott worked in New Zealand on several iconic projects during the 1920s and 1930s including the Farmers Tea Rooms, a six-storey extension to Smith and Caughey department store and Massey University buildings in Palmerston North.
In keeping with the Arts and Crafts ideals of the time, Lippincott would also design the interior of each building including the furniture. These chairs were designed for the Auckland University Arts Building and later used in the Massey University buildings. They are considered progressive for their use of native rimu when oak was considered fashionable.
In a letter to the Auckland University College’s President and Council, Lippincott wrote that “as the wood finish of the building was rimu, the furniture also should be of this material, which has a grain at times almost theatrical in its effect.”
Today Lippincott’s furniture is highly coveted and collectable. Examples can be found in the permanent collections of New Zealand’s most prominent museums including Te Papa and Auckland Museum.
Sources:
/ Andrew Barrie, “Roy Lippincott in Auckland”, Itinerary No. 28, Block: The Broadsheet of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, No. 12, 2009.
/ The University of Auckland News for Staff, April 2005.
/ Auckland University College Library, ca. 1931-1933. MSS & Archives E-10, 11.2.
/ The Anatomy and Physiology laboratory in the Main Building of the Massey University Palmerston North. Massey University Archives, L-8-2.3\_14 CC BY
NOTE: Price is per chair, we have four available.
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.
Revered Roy Lippincott Chairs for University of Auckland Arts Building
Note: We showcase a curated edit from the Mr. Bigglesworthy catalogue. Please contact us to view specific items.
