“You never know what may be in your attic or basement,” says Karla Webb, the new Curator of the Bienenstock Furniture Library. After taking over her job in December, Ms. Webb discovered some disassembled furniture stored in the attic and basement of the Library. On closer inspection, she found that the library owned three “Champagne Chairs” with a companion marble top table by Erwine & Estelle Laverne. The design formed part of the Lavernes’ ‘Invisible Group’ introduced in 1957. The moulded transparent shell seat on an aluminum base gives the chair a visual lightness and timeless sophistication according to furniture history textbooks.
Many High Point Market attendees know the Library through the books it sells at various locations during the High Point Market. "This time we will be having a giant clearance sale with hundreds of books priced 25% to 50% off," said Ms. Webb. "Most exciting for retailers and manufacturers attending the show will be a $5 book room at our 1009 North Main Street Location (near Krispy Creme Donuts) which will have hundreds of additional books priced at only $5. They make great gifts and showroom display items. Our other High Point book sales locations will be at Market Square M8047 and IHFC 11th floor bridge."
The Library also has on display furniture by William Katavolos, Ross Litell, and Douglas Kelly. In 1952 they introduced their ‘New Furniture Group’ consisting of chairs and tables in leather, chrome-plated steel, glass and marble. The Library owns a brown and white marble top dining table complete with four side chairs and two hosts’ chairs. The three-legged dining chairs are constructed of four T-shaped elements and have a tan leather sling seat. The design was innovative for the method used to secure the leather sling to the chair. Ms. Webb noted, “We have been told that it is rare to find a complete matching set in such excellent condition.”
About the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library: The Furniture Library, established in 1970, houses within it's granite walls a comprehensive collection of volumes on the history of furniture ... from the tombs of ancient Egypt to the palaces of Renaissance Europe, from Buddhist temples to Bauhaus and architecture. Over 7000 volumes collected during some 60 years are valued at well over a million dollars ... and to the furniture connoisseur, many are priceless. The collection encompasses significant volumes published since 1640 and includes the complete collection of the original works of 18th century furniture masters Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite, as well as a complete set of Diderot's Encyclopedia.While it was originally conceived as a working center for design research, The Furniture Library is today the focal point for a range of activities. Conveniently located in High Point, North Carolina, the nation's leading center for furniture manufacturing and marketing. The Furniture Library stands ready to provide its storehouse of information, illustration and inspiration to those in industry, the design community, education and the public at large.