Thursday, August 17, 2017

Russel Wright for Conant Ball; Desk

Russel Wright (1904-1976) was an American Industrial designer who revolutionized the way people lived.  He believed design started with the dinner table, which is the center of the home, and then should work outward to furnishings, interiors, architecture and landscaping.  Wright, throughout his long and very successful career, designed everything from table ware and appliances to textiles and furniture.  He worked with great manufacturers like Steubenville Pottery and Conant Ball Furniture to produce his designs.   He and his wife Mary, with whom  he partnered professionally, wrote several books on "living" including "Guide to Easier Living" in which they wrote "Good informal living substitutes a little head work for a lot of legwork. It doesn't need wealth, but it does take thought, some ingenuity and resourcefulness, and more than a little loving care to create a home that is really your own."  They are widely credited with inventing lifestyle marketing. 

This smart and clean-lined birch desk was designed by Wright as part of the Modernmates collection for Conant Ball.  It has a bank of three graduated drawers and the bottom drawer has removable file dividers.  The top center drawer is divided into six compartments.  The desk is in very good vintage condition with minor age appropriate wear to the finish and comes with a custom glass top (not pictured).  48" l., 24" d., 30.5" h.  American, c.1950's  SOLD
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/tables/desks-writing-tables/russel-wright-conant-ball-mid-century-modern-birch-desk/id-f_6928393