Set of Six Lucian Ercolani for Ercol Mid Century Modern Windsor Dining Chairs

In the years following the Second World War, Lucian Ercolani embarked on a quiet revolution in British furniture design. Working from his High Wycombe factory, he took the traditional English Windsor chair, a staple of country taverns and farmhouses, and distilled it to its purest essence. By stripping away centuries of heavy ornamentation, Ercolani allowed the inherent beauty of the timber and the honesty of the construction to take centre stage. This suite of six chairs, officially designated in the company catalogues as the Model 370 and 370A, stands as a premier example of that transitional moment when traditional craftsmanship met the clean, functional lines of mid century modernism.

Curated as a cohesive suite, this set comprises two beautifully proportioned Model 370A carvers and four standard Model 370 side chairs. The construction relies on Ercol's signature pairing of materials. The solid elm seats display the wild, highly figured grain patterns that define the brand, contrasting perfectly against the exquisitely turned, steam bent beech frames and spindles.

For the collector, the carver retains the original metallic blue and gold Ercol foil sticker, a marque used exclusively between 1954 and 1976. Furthermore, turning the chairs over reveals the deeply impressed British Standards Kite mark stamped directly into the timber alongside the reference 'BS 1960 / 2056'. Rather than a production date, this denotes the official British Standard specification for domestic wooden furniture and Ercol's unique manufacturing licence number. Together, these factory marks firmly date this suite to circa 1960, placing them right in the golden era of Ercol production.

Condition

Approached with a strict conservation mindset, this suite has been carefully restored in our workshop. Our primary goal is always to revive the integrity of the pieces without erasing their history. A standout feature of this particular set is the preservation of its original warm golden brown lacquer. Rather than stripping the timber, we have meticulously revived this authentic factory finish. It beautifully unites the elm seats and beech frames with a rich lustre and tonality while remaining highly practical for daily dining.

We have intentionally preserved the minor traces of age and gentle imperfections as a crucial part of the furniture's narrative, adding a layer of authentic patina that simply cannot be replicated by modern manufacturing. They are ready to anchor a contemporary or period dining space.

Specifications

Creator: Ercol

Designer: Lucian Ercolani 

Model: 370 (Standard) and 370A (Carver)

Place of Origin: United Kingdom

Period: Circa 1960s

Materials: Solid Elm, Steam Bent Beech

Condition: Very Good Restored Condition, Minor Traces of Age

Dimensions:

Width: 42 cm

Depth: 41 cm

Height: 80 cm

Carver Arm Height: 670cm