This pair SOLD within the first couple of weeks of being listed for $1800 THE PAIR ($900 each) early in 2024.

This suite is SOLD UNDER CONSIGNMENT from a private residence in Maldon, near MELBOURNE. 

Background Info and Provenance

(Written in 2021)

This is a fascinating piece of design that I was surprised to see retained a TESSA label. I initially thought that this design pre-dated Tessa Furniture. This is definitely a VINTAGE TESSA label though because it has their early CLAYTON address on it. To my knowledge, Clayton was where Tessa started out- the factory later moved to BAYSWATER. I’m of the understanding that any Tessa items with the Clayton address on the label are pre-1975. Tessa started out as Twen in 1970 and from what I’ve read, changed their name to Tessa late in 1971. This model pre-dates the famous Tessa T1 (I’ve seen some with Twen ink stamps on them). The Tessa T1 design was later modified (very slightly) to become the world-renown T21 model. The chrome base is similar to what was used on FLER chairs in the late-1960’s. (Fred Lowen sold the FLER company in the late-1960’s and then set up Twen a few years later.)

The sub-structure where the base meets the seat is the same as the Tessa T1 but the chrome star is obviously different. This design came before they conjured the idea of cladding timber pieces onto the steel star-base. The swivel base would not be strong enough if it was made fully out of timber- the timber-base on the Tessa T1 and T21 model is purely decorative and clad on top- the structural element underneath is solid steel.

I was keen to stock this pair for several reasons. Firstly … they are exceptionally COMFORTABLE chairs! You just melt into the soft fabric and all this plushness. It’s like you’re being enveloped by a fluffy, soft cloud! And these chair angles- exactly the same as the famous T21 model. The T21 model stayed in continuous production for almost 50 years for two reasons- because you won’t find better comfort in a lounge chair and the exceptional quality equates to its famous durability.

I was also keen to stock these because of the fascinating history- I like the backstory because these labels date this particular pair to the early-1970’s. They are a TWEN design and the precursor of the famous T21 model. They have interesting design provenance- you’d be hard pressed to find chairs with a better story to tell.

This pair of Twen / Tessa chairs are close to 55 years old! (2023). No guessing how durable they are. After much of the world’s modern furniture ends up as landfill, these chairs will be passed onto another user and eventually a new generation. I can think of no better way to invest in your home and the future of our environment.