The ‘Kone’ Chair by Roger McLay is undoubtedly one of the classic designs from the Australian post-war period. And what’s not to love about a single pre-cut sheet of plywood lovingly bent into a cone shape and delicately balanced on 4 japan-finished (black) steel rod legs.

The ‘Kone’ is in a class of its own, and not only is its design elegant and simple, it is also a wonderful example of how industrial designers made good use of the technical innovations brought about by the Second World War (1939-45). Its worth noting that although the ‘Kone’ chair was originally made by the Roseberry Veneer Company, it was re-issued by Descon in the early fifties and appears to have enjoyed a great deal of popularity. Descon issued a number of variations, including colour stains, upholstery, and even a version with a circular fluffy cover which was sold as ‘The Poodle Chair’.

Brand/Maker/Artist:Roger McLay

Model: Kone

Dimensions:H 717mm × W 744mm × D 636 mm, 410mm SH

Style: Mid Century Modern

Materials: Plywood,Steel

Colour and pattern: Natural

Condition: Moderate condition: used, shows obvious signs of wear and tear, needs some TLC though structurally sound

Alterations and defects: Structurally sound however there are numerous scratches and marks on both the front and backs of the chairs. There is a small split in wood as per photo.

Inspected: Yes