Leslie Diamond

(1903 - 1960)

Leslie Diamond was an in-house designer for the Conant Ball Furniture Company in Gardner, MA. Best remembered today for his Modernmates line of 1947 with its strikingly contemporary lines, Diamond was responsible for a full range of Conant Ball styles from traditional to modern.

Born on May 17, 1903, Diamond is remembered by his granddaughter, Caren, remembers him as a happy and reliable person, and describes him as such: "He loved working with wood and maple was his favorite. He made a lazy susan out of bird's eye maple and he used his kids' marbles for the turntable. They had about ¼ acre garden with pear trees in each corner. They grew many vegetables for pickling and canning and also potatoes. They slaughtered their own chickens and sometimes a pig. He loved to tell jokes and he creeped us out by eating chocolate covered ants. He had a large brick fireplace in the backyard, complete with a chimney that we would barbeque on."

Another of Diamond's granddaughters, Beth, recalls her grandfather as a tall and imposing man who was a caring father and grandfather with a great sence of humor. She remembers long Sunday afternoons sitting listening to symphonies with him.

Diamond's work was included in several important museum exhibitions during the mid-century, including the seminal "Furniture of Today" show held at the Rhode Island Institute of Design's museum in 1948.

Diamond passed away in June of 1960 after suffering a stroke.

Learn More At ...

• Leslie Diamond Remembered
• Leslie Diamond Remembered, Part 2