Mid-century furniture by Ercol (England)

British furniture manufacturer Ercol was founded by Lucian Ercolani, an Italian furniture designer, in 1920. Born in Italy in 1888, Ercolani moved to London in 1898 and later attended Shoreditch Technical Institute and the Royal School of Art. He combined his traditional furniture making skills with a passion for modern design, and this fusion became the foundation of the Ercol brand.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Ercolani began producing pieces of furniture inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, a design philosophy that emphasized traditional craftsmanship and simplicity of form. However, it wasn't until after World War II, during the 1950s and 1960s, that Ercol became synonymous with mid-century modern design.

Ercol's mid-century modern furniture was characterized by its clean lines, organic shapes, and the use of natural materials, particularly elm wood. One of the company's most iconic pieces from this era is the "Windsor more... Chair," a design based on traditional English stick-back chairs but reimagined with a contemporary twist. The Windsor Chair's popularity helped establish Ercol as a leading name in British furniture design. During the mid-century period, Ercol furniture gained significant recognition and found its way into many British homes.

Lucian Ercolani passed away in 1976, but the business continued on, producing a wide range of furniture, including chairs, tables, sofas, and bedroom furniture, staying true to its heritage of mid-century modern design principles while also adapting to contemporary tastes and manufacturing techniques.

Ercol's legacy as one of England's foremost mid-century furniture designers and makers endures, and their pieces are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. less...