Photograph by Susan Sherman © Wharton Esherick Museum.
Wharton Esherick was—alongside Maria Martinez and Henry Varnum Poor, all born in 1887—among the oldest participants in Objects: USA. He passed away shortly after the exhibition began its tour, in May of 1970. There can have been little doubt of his inclusion, however. Universally recognized as the first studio furniture maker, Esherick was many more things besides—printmaker, sculptor, architect, and an exemplar of the philosophy of individualism so prized by younger studio craftspeople. Hailing from Philadelphia originally, in 1926 he began work on his home and studio in nearby Malvern.
Eventually the site comprised five structures, including a workshop designed by the great architect Louis Kahn. It is today a public museum, where the full glory of Esherick’s practice can be seen. Wildly inventive, he went through many different idioms over the course of his career, among them an avant-garde, nearly Cubist style influenced by the philosopher and educator Rudolf Steiner.¹ His expressive way with wood is beautifully exemplified by his design for a music stand included the Objects: USA 2020 catalog, itself a performance of lyricism and rhythm.
¹ Roberta A. Mayer and Mark Sfirri, “Early Expressions of Anthroposophical Design in America: The Influence of Rudolf Steiner and Fritz Westhoff on Wharton Esherick,” Journal of Modern Craft 2, no. 3 (November 2009): 299–323.
Hammer Handle chair in hickory, ash, and leather. Designed and made by Wharton Esherick, USA, ca. 1938.
21" L x 21" W x 32" H
53.3cm L x 53.3cm W x 81.3cm H
CH1269
Provenance: The Hedgerow Theater, Rose Valley, PA