In this lecture, Margo Delidow and Roger Griffith explore the history of materials and techniques associated with mid-century modern furniture, particularly those used in Knoll production from the 1940s to the 1970s. Focusing on five chairs that they treated specifically for the BGC exhibition, they will consider the evolution of modern upholstery techniques and discuss how particular innovations and actual use complicate the conservation and restoration of these works.

Earl Martin is an associate curator at the Bard Graduate Center and curator of the Knoll Textiles exhibition.

Margo Delidow is the Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Conservation Education at the Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.

Roger Griffith is an associate conservator at the Museum of Modern Art.