‘The Blades of Glory’
Masters of restoration, RhubarbChairs, unveils their latest piece: A one-off original World War 1 Biplane propeller table
Capturing the distinctive style of 1917 British Aviation, RhubarbChairs is proud to present its most iconic restored piece to date: The Blades of Glory. The only one of its kind to exist in the world, the original four-bladed Royal Aircraft Factory BE2C propeller used by the RFC and RNAS, has been sympathetically restored using true artisans of the historic trade into an exquisite dining table that holds the profound narrative of aeronautical World War 1 history.
Taking in excess of 6 months to complete, the propeller is believed to have been originally displayed in the Officers’ Mess of the Royal Navy Air Service Eastchurch and latterly discovered in a nearby hanger during the 1960s.
It was then acquired by the late William ‘Bill’ Boddy, the long-time Editor of Motor Sport Magazine for his private collection and subsequently owned by Denis Jenkinson who was the navigator for Stirling Moss when they famously won the 1955 Mille Miglia race.
Complete with 8 vintage balloon backed mahogany framed chairs with delicately embroidered organic linen RAF roundel seats, the table has been skilfully engineered by craftsmen using the finest laminated Brazilian mahogany to echo the propeller’s construction. The arched two-piece jointed legs provide a sturdy footing whilst the propeller features its original fully restored handwritten 24-carat gold leaf ‘Roll of Honour’ script of the pilots and ground crew, together with the original manufacturer’s label “LANG PROPELLER LTD WEYBRIDGE” — honouring the unique history of this one-of-a-kind piece.
A toughened glass top with bevelled edge sits perfectly in place atop the propeller on adjustable solid brass supports, with a laser engraved original photograph of the biplane surrounded by its heroic crew at the centre of the table. Bespoke solid brass plates together with stainless steel pins and brass nuts retain the whole piece together with brass crossover support wires fitted to the arched legs to echo the wings of a Biplane. The result is a truly unique centrepiece that tells a story of aviation’s past – ideal for aficionados of both British history and rare one-off interior design pieces.
Creators and manufacturers of eclectic, handcrafted furniture, RhubarbChairs promises individual designs that embody a slice of history. Combining a passion for traditional trades and techniques with an unwavering commitment to being different from the rest, founder and designer Shaun Brownell’s ethos is to think behind and beyond the obvious, resulting in unique furniture designs that reveal a piece of history alongside a captivating narrative.
Product Details:
Price: ‘Blades of Glory’ Table and 8 Vintage Chairs £77,000
Dimensions: 300 x 300 x 80 (W x D x H) cm
Weight: 160kg
Materials: Mahogany, 24-carat Gold, Stainless Steel & Brass, Toughened Glass
About RhubarbChairs
Founded by designer Shaun Brownell in 2018, RhubarbChairs has made a name for itself by restoring and reproducing distinctive pieces of upholstered furniture. Passionate about traditional trades and maintaining classical upholstery techniques, each item of furniture has its own history and is entirely unique. Every RhubarbChairs design embodies a slice of history, blending rare fabrics and antique uniforms to create one-of-a-kind items that will never be reproduced.
