John Crichton was born in Bombay in 1917 and moved to England as a child. He studied at Birmingham College of Art. During World War II, he served as an official war photographer.

He moved to New Zealand in 1949, establishing John Crichton Limited, in Auckland in 1951, offering interior design services. He designed and sold furniture, lighting and ceramics. and was an artist working in mosaics, pen and ink and watercolour. Crichton was able to promote his designs beyond New Zealand, featuring chairs and lamps in the British journal Decorative Art: the studio yearbook in 1955 and 1957.

He was a founder of the New Zealand Society of Industrial Designers (NZSID) in 1959, elected to membership soon after the Society's incorporation in 1960, and served on its council to 1966.

Crichton died in New Zealand on 7 January 1993. Examples of his work are held in the collections more...

15 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

John Crichton for Eden Woodturners, Auckland, set of three…

Wooden Candlesticks by John Crichton for Eden Woodturners

John Crichton for Eden Woodturners, Auckland, set of three wooden candlesticks, early 1960's, height 40.5 cm, 32 cm and 26 cm. Provenance: Andrew and Jeannie Van der Putten Collection.

Alsterfors Glasbruk, Sweden, Scandinavian glass candleholder,…

Scandinavian Glass Candleholder from Alsterfors Glasbruk

Alsterfors Glasbruk, Sweden, Scandinavian glass candleholder, in two separate pieces including a bright orange glass shade and a clear glass base, height 35 cm. Provenance: John Crichton Estate. Andrew and Jeannie Van der Putten Collection.

A mid-century candelabra attributed to John Crichton, in brass…

John Crichton Brass and Steel Candelabra

A mid-century candelabra attributed to John Crichton, in brass and steel, six bullet form holders anchored to a sloped flattened holder, height 10 cm, width 19 cm

A John Crichton Minimal lamp, without original shade, height…

Minimal John Crichton Lamp - 168cm x 30cm

A John Crichton Minimal lamp, without original shade, height 168 cm, width 30 cm

A John Crichton atomic lamp, with the original wool shade,…

Vintage Atomic Lamp with Original Wool Shade

A John Crichton atomic lamp, with the original wool shade, height 176 cm, width 42 cm

A John Crichton floor lamp, features a sleek, angular central…

1950s New Zealand Modern Floor Lamp with George Nelson Shade

A John Crichton floor lamp, features a sleek, angular central column raised on a tripod base finishing in a George Nelson style lampshade. An iconic piece of 1950s New Zealand modern design, height 165 cm, width 50 cm

A mid-century atomic candelabra, Crichton attributed. Made from…

Gold Atomic Candelabra, Mid-Century Design

A mid-century atomic candelabra, Crichton attributed. Made from metal with gold coloured caps, height 25 cm, width 10.5 cm, depth 10.5 cm

A John Crichton lamp, the sleek, angular central column raised…

1950s John Crichton Tripod Lamp with Nelson Shade

A John Crichton lamp, the sleek, angular central column raised on a tripod base finishing in a George Nelson style lampshade. An iconic piece of 1950's New Zealand modern design, height 160 cm

John Crichton, Bent tubular metal standard lamp, with original…

Bent Metal Lamp with Cane Shade

John Crichton, Bent tubular metal standard lamp, with original white cane shade. Height 160 cm

John Crichton, rare 1950s uplighter lamp, with spun red…

1950s Red Anodised Uplighter Lamp by John Crichton

John Crichton, rare 1950s uplighter lamp, with spun red anodised aluminium shade held on three aluminium rods. Provenance: Previously in the Mike Zero collection. Height 171 cm

John Crichton (attributed), pair of wall lights, in red and…

Safatti-Inspired Wall Lights by John Crichton

John Crichton (attributed), pair of wall lights, in red and blue aluminium with saucer form shades. Made in the manner of wall lights made by the Italian designer Gino Safatti

John Crichton, rare counter poised side lamp, anodised…

Anodised Aluminium and Brass Side Lamp by John Crichton

John Crichton, rare counter poised side lamp, anodised aluminium with brass legs and ball feet. This lamp is made in the manner of early 1950s table lamps made by the important Swiss born architect Otto Kolb.

John Crichton, standard lamp, red painted tubular metal with…

Red Adjustable Lamp, 131 cm Height

John Crichton, standard lamp, red painted tubular metal with adjustable shade. Height 131 cm

John Crichton [attributed], a pair of bent tubular steel…

Bent Steel Standard Lamps by Crichton

John Crichton [attributed], a pair of bent tubular steel standard lamps

John Crichton design table lamp, original John Crichton Studio…

John Crichton Studio Table Lamp

John Crichton design table lamp, original John Crichton Studio label affixed to the base