Race’s Historical Product Launch Event

After extensive research into the archive of iconic British designer, Ernest Race, Race Furniture and Ocee Design are enormously proud to launch a revival of the Ernest Race Heritage Collection. This much anticipated launch includes pieces that were made famous at the Festival of Britain in 1951, along with other true icons of mid-century furniture design.

Race Furniture and Ocee Design will launch the new collection today – Thursday, March 28th – at an event in London, with international events to follow. Jay Blades has been invited to be part of the revival of iconic mid-century pieces at the Ernest Race Heritage Collection. You can still book your free ticket by clicking here.

The BA3

The BA3 was first exhibited at the ‘Britain Can Make It’ exhibition of 1946. At a time of limited resources, the BA3 manufacturing process was revolutionary. Salvaged materials were used, including recast aluminium from redundant aircraft and upholstery from recycled RAF cotton duck fabric.

In 1951 the BA3 was one of three Race chairs chosen for the Festival of Britain exhibition site, and it was awarded a gold medal at the Milan Triennale in 1954. Early examples of the BA3 are on display at MOMA in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The light and elegant BA table perfectly complements the BA chairs.

The DA

The DA chair was launched in 1946 in collaboration with Heals of London. Designed for the modern space conscious home, the DA chair and DA6 sofa represented Ernest Race’s interpretation of the classic wingback chair.

The light anatomical construction provides exceptional comfort. The 1951 Race catalogue reinforced Ernest Race’s philosophy stating that, ‘Bulk and weight are not synonymous with comfort.’

The Rocker

The Rocker preceded the Antelope chair and represented Ernest Race’s re-imagining of a classic rocking chair. Though not a fashionable concept at the time, it has become a highly collectible design icon.

The Rocker comes with a cushioned removable seat, optional back cushion and hardwood armrests.

The Antelope

It was the 1951 Festival of Britain that took Ernest Race’s furniture to a much wider audience. The Antelope’s simple moulded plywood seat was painted in the Festival colours of yellow, blue, red or grey.

The design heralded the ‘New Elizabethan’ spirit with a sculptural, playful form. It won a silver medal at the Tenth Triennale furniture fair in Milan in 1955. With a matching rod construction and ball feet, the Gazelle table was designed to partner the Antelope chairs.

The Roebuck

The Roebuck was designed by Ernest Race as a low-cost stacking chair for café and dining venues. The popularity of the chair resulted in it being in full production until 1968.

The Roebuck is now re-issued in a variety of paint finishes, with its original spherical feet. It is the perfect chair for a simple retro look in restaurants and hospitality areas.

The Heron

The Heron and its sister chair, the Flamingo illustrated the influence of new materials on Race’s designs. The chairs fused exceptional comfort with a much lighter sculptural form.

Comfort was enhanced by the addition of an ottoman footrest. The Heron differs from the Flamingo in the position of the legs and the addition of a loose seat and head cushion.

The Flamingo

The Flamingo, a sister to the Heron chair, won a Design Centre Award in 1959 due to its skilful use of modern materials. Ernest Race preferred the Flamingo, with its fixed cushions and inset legs, as he felt that it better suited the contract market.

Now reunited as a chair and sofa for the first time in many years, the Flamingo combines a strong sculptural form with exceptional comfort.

The collection is available to view at Race’s London showroom at 20 Old Street, Clerkenwell, London. Book your free tickets by clicking here.

Contact BCFA member Race Furniture through the Product Finder