Ercol
Lucian Ercolani
Born in Tuscany, Italy, Lucian Ercolani moved to England with his parents at a young age and founded the company that furnished millions of British homes during the second half of the 20th century.
Ercol’s signature style emerged during the Second World War, when the British government limited furniture production to a few basic designs to prevent materials being diverted from the war effort. Ercolini’s Windsor kitchen chair was one of the approved designs, using English elm, and with a streamlined, mechanised production process to keep costs and material usage down.
Ercol’s mass- produced furniture, with its clean lines and simple designs, found a ready-made market in post-war Britain. At its peak, the company produced 2,000 pieces of furniture a day.
Following Ercolani’s death in 1976, the company’s popularity waned. But under the stewardship of Ercolini’s grandson, Edward Tadros, and with mid-century styles back in fashion, Ercol is once again a leading player in the British furniture market.
