Atomic John Crichton Boomerang Style Woven Chair by The Blind Institute
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This rare and playful woven cane chair is one of a number of cane chairs designed by John Crichton in the 1950s. He was familiar with the material and had developed other cane pieces that were crafted by members of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind in Parnell, Auckland.
The Blind Institute Cane Chair references the whimsical atomic style that was popularised in the United States during the 1950s. ‘Molecular’ legs are attached to a fluid, amoeba-like seat finished in contrasting black-and-white woven cane. A very narrow front profile allows the chair to be easily moved through doors and enjoyed in indoor and outdoor environments.
Crichton was a fan of informal spaces that could be rearranged depending on the social occasion, a departure from the bulky, heavy-set furniture and formal rooms of prior generations. His aesthetic is defined by Pacific and Asian influences combined with a modernist approach.
Each piece is checked and carefully hand restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior...
Each piece is checked and carefully restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
- Joints checked and reglued
- Timber cleaned and stains removed
- Veneer repairs if needed
- Surfaces polished / refinished
Our full collection is showcased at our Eden Terrace gallery. We have parking available beside the building and would love to see you.
All pieces are available for collection in person from our Eden Terrace gallery. We are also happy to provide a quote for delivery throughout New Zealand.
Please enquire for delivery options.
Atomic John Crichton Boomerang Style Woven Chair by The Blind Institute
GOOD FORM, 86 Newton Rd, Eden Terrace, Auckland.
John Crichton (1917–1993) arrived in New Zealand in 1949 with a global perspective shaped by an unusually varied early career. Born in Bombay and trained at the Birmingham College of Art, he spent formative years in England before serving as an official war photographer in Burma during the Second World War. After the war, Crichton worked in interior design in Malaysia, experiences that sharpened his sensitivity to climate, materials and cultural context.
Working from his Kitchener Street studio in Auckland, Crichton designed interiors, furniture, lighting and objects that helped define what would later be described as Pan Pacific Modernism. At a time when New Zealand interiors were largely conservative, he introduced a modern design language that was international in outlook yet grounded in local conditions. Modernist principles of function and restraint were softened through natural fibres, handcrafted elements and Pacific and Asian influences.
Crichton believed good design should belong to everyday life. His use of industrial materials such as tubular steel and mosaic tile was confident but never severe, allowing modern interiors to feel accessible and lived-in. His work was frequently featured in international publications, including Decorative Art: The Studio Yearbook, and today his most recognisable pieces, from lighting and furniture to mosaic bowls, are held in the collections of Te Papa Tongarewa.
Alongside his studio practice, Crichton played a significant role in shaping New Zealand’s design culture as a founding member of the New Zealand Society of Industrial Designers. His work is now recognised not only as a cornerstone of mid-century New Zealand modernism, but as an enduring model for thoughtful, context-driven design.
