The Metric Line

The Metric Line, developed by Charles Hollis Jones in 1963, was conceived to be a sculptural fusion of acrylic and metal. To meet Hollis Jones’ quality standards, every piece required custom fabrication. Each acrylic element was formed into a square which was then hand beveled 12 times: a full length bevel on each of the four sides and a bevel on each of the four faces, top and bottom -- a design imperative which elegantly joined acrylic to metal.

Using only solid brass, plated in either nickel or bronze, the vertical acrylic elements terminate at the floor in a horizontal metal rail which absolutely defines the overall shape, strategically reducing four legs to two in many of the pieces.

After the acrylic was cut and beveled it was annealed for 24 hours at a temperature of 240 degrees. This stress relieving process was repeated following assembly, after which the assembled piece was allowed to cool to gradually return to room temperature. This controlled expansion of the acrylic filled the joints, securing the structure with a beautiful absence of screws, bolts or nuts.