Wall unit
Radiogram
Maker & role
P E Kafka: Modern Exclusive Furniture (estab. 1939), Manufacturer; Mr Harry Seidler (b.1923, d.2006); AC OBE, Designer
Production date
1948-1950
Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
0 - Whole, H: 53 x W: 38.3cm (H: 530 x W: 383mm); 0 - Whole, H: 53cm (H: 530mm); 0 - Whole, W: 38.3cm (W: 383mm)
Credit line
Gift, Harry Seidler AC OBE, 1990
Rose Seidler House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Rose Seidler House Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Description
Architect Harry Seidler wrote that 'there is no difference between designing the interior and the exterior' and as such designed much of the furniture at Rose Seidler House. He commissioned fellow Viennese emigre, Paul Kafka, to make this wall unit as well as several other pieces of moveable and built-in furniture. Most of these pieces are black in colour with chrome supports and handles and some include natural timber detailing. The unified style and colouring of the furniture contributes to a consistent design look throughout the house.
In the case of this 'floating' wall unit, in addition to general storage space, it includes both a radio and gramophone and so might also be called a 'radiogram'. In Britain and Australia in the late 1940s and early 1950s, a radiogram was a piece of cabinet furniture that combined a radio and record player - the word 'radiogram' was in fact derived by combining 'radio' and 'gramophone'. However, in most suburban homes, the radiogram looked similar to the cabinet radios of the 1930s, rather than Seidler's sleek and light design at Rose Seidler House.
Paul Kafka (1907-1972), the manufacturer of this wall unit, was the son of a Viennese furniture maker, who worked in his father's factory but also studied furniture design. He emigrated to Australia with his wife in 1939 and soon opened his own furniture factory, first in Elizabeth Street Sydney and later in Botany Road Waterloo. Many of his clients were also European immigrants who commissioned custom-made furniture and fit-outs.
In the case of this 'floating' wall unit, in addition to general storage space, it includes both a radio and gramophone and so might also be called a 'radiogram'. In Britain and Australia in the late 1940s and early 1950s, a radiogram was a piece of cabinet furniture that combined a radio and record player - the word 'radiogram' was in fact derived by combining 'radio' and 'gramophone'. However, in most suburban homes, the radiogram looked similar to the cabinet radios of the 1930s, rather than Seidler's sleek and light design at Rose Seidler House.
Paul Kafka (1907-1972), the manufacturer of this wall unit, was the son of a Viennese furniture maker, who worked in his father's factory but also studied furniture design. He emigrated to Australia with his wife in 1939 and soon opened his own furniture factory, first in Elizabeth Street Sydney and later in Botany Road Waterloo. Many of his clients were also European immigrants who commissioned custom-made furniture and fit-outs.
Accession number
RSHF2
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