Tage Frid chandelier

Collection — Object: 1

Identifier: RITArt-0077

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Tage Frid (1915–2004) was a Danish-born woodworker who influenced the development of the studio furniture movement in the United States. Frid headed the program in woodworking of the School for American Craftsmen in Alfred, New York; later moving with this program to Rochester Institute of Technology. In 1962 he became professor of Woodworking and Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, remaining until 1985.

When teaching, he emphasized a craftsman's need to learn all the available tools and methods one could use to complete a given task. Thus, the person can work in any shop situation and produce the same quality. Frid's students include noted American studio furniture makers such as Hank Gilpin, Jere Osgood, Alphonse Mattia, William Keyser, John Dunnigan, and Rosanne Somerson.

Tage Frid was an editor of Fine Woodworking magazine from its inception in 1975 to his death.

Dates

Creation: circa 1950-1975

Creator

Frid, Tage (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Tage Frid was a native of Denmark who helped revive the art of handmade furniture in the United States. Mr. Frid, who was long associated with the Rhode Island School of Design, was both a highly influential teacher and an innovator whose approach was at odds with that of many furniture designers. Mr. Frid arrived in the United States in 1948 along with his friendJack Prip, a silversmith, after being recruited by Mrs. Aileen Webb, founder of the American Crafts Council, to teach at the new School for American Craftsmen in Alfred, New York. Tage moved with the school when it was shifted toRochester Institute of Technology in 1950. In 1962, he left for the Rhode Island School of Design to head its department of woodworking and furniture design until his retirement. Beginning in the mid-1970s, Mr. Frid began to reach woodworking students outside his classes. He was a force in starting Fine Woodworking magazine. Mr. Frid's foremost writing achievement, the three-volume 'Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking (Taunton Press, 1993), is still in print and remains one of the most respected set of manuals on the subject. Tage Frid died in 2004.

Extent

1 Item(s) (1 item)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Tage Frid chandelier is finely handcrafted from cast iron. Mr. Frid was a woodworking instructor for the School for American Craftsmen from 1950-1961.