Description
SOLD IN 2017 FOR $3300 for all 8!
Provenance and Background Information
Written in 2017 – Time-sensitive information may have changed slightly since 2017
A set of EIGHT (8) Baleri 18/10 Stainless Steel chairs made in Italy specially for outdoor use. Inside or outside these chairs are stunning! And so RARE!!! They sell new for about AU $11 500 for a set of 8 and have to imported into Australia internationally. Before this set came along I’d not come across this design since 2001. A set of 8 Baleri stackable chairs was the very first furniture item I ever sold for my business. Back then I was selling at the Paddington Markets- it was my first day selling ever, very early in the morning and someone carried these out with them before I’d even set my stall up. Incredibly I find myself wondering if this is the exact set I sold all those years ago. Normally a thought like that wouldn’t even enter my head but with this design it’s a distinct possibility because they are so rare (and I found these only 5 km from where I sold the set in 2001). These chairs are never seen because they’re not retailed in Australia (and I don’t think they ever have been) and because of the US $8920 price tag (AU $11 500). See the screenshot included from an American website.
This is one of the best designs ever made. They tick every box. They may not look comfortable but make no mistake these are some of the most comfortable dining chairs I’ve ever sat in. You seem to just melt into them. The angles are spot-on and the back seems to hug you. In winter they may be cold when you first sit down (depending on whether it’s cold in your house) but they warm up very quickly after sitting down. (Steel is a great conductor of temperature which is why they make saucepans and drink cannisters out of it!) These are the most durable dining chair I’ve ever seen. The 18/10 stainless steel is REAL stainless steel- not cheap alloy (a weird comment to make but these days not all stainless steel is created equal). These chairs are at least 20 years old but there’s NO RUST / NO CORROSION at all. They look close to how they did when they were first made. The design is just brilliant- the shiny stainless steel creates a stunning look but not over the top- still very sleek, refined and timeless. They’ll never go out of style.
They’re also as practical as you can get- they STACK (safely and easily- there’s rubber underneath the seats to protect them after they’re stacked up). They’re a good weight- they won’t blow away in strong wind but easy to move around. Water just beads on top- they’re completely waterproof, they won’t stain and it’s hard to noticeably mark them. This leaves investment appeal- you’re not going to find a set of these again in a hurry (if ever)- particularly at this price. (I could find NONE of these for sale ANYWHERE worldwide when I bought them and for 4 months after). They have the Baleri embossed tag to top off a very strong investment.
These chairs epitomise everything I’m trying to do with iNVISeDGE. They spark inspiration and show us the way forward. If chairs look like this after more than 20 years of use (and they’ve been used outside) you’ve got full assurance of the quality you’re buying. We can’t keep dumping crap onto our land and into our oceans. Buying items that have been carefully considered in every regard (particularly with how long they’ll last) is our only way out of this mess. There’s no better way to invest in your home and future generations … and yes these will continue to be passed from this generation to the next.
As the photos show, this suite is in excellent condition overall. The chairs are all solid and sturdy and I see no reason why they won’t last forever even with heavy use. The metal is thick with NO rust and NO damage to report at all. The connections underneath are all STAINLESS STEEL but vintage stainless steel- there is NO rust or aging to the connections. The white coating is in brilliant condition for the age of the chairs- I don’t think it’s paint but I’m not sure what it is. Various edges and corners have minor loss to the white finish on most chairs (see the close-up photos). None of this is unsightly or really noticed. I think it only adds to the character of this vintage suite. The tops of the legs of a couple of chairs and near the leg tips had lost a bit of the white finish but I’ve touched up these areas with 2 to 3 coats of premium quality exterior paint- these areas are now not noticeable even if you’re looking for them.
For dining chairs that have been outside about 60 years they all present extremely well. Many dealers get Flexalum items powder-coated. This suite is not in need of that (and nowhere near it).
The condition of the table will be described in more detail in another ebay listing.
Measurements. Chairs- Across- 38cm. Total depth- 45cm. Seat height- 45.5cm. Total height- 79cm. For FREIGHT- Chairs- 0.38X0.45X0.79 (X6)= 0.81 cubic metres. This suite can be handled by one person. (Table not included in this price- Length- 96cm or extended 166cm. Depth- 95cm. Total height- 70cm. There is good clearance under the table for chairs.)
Read my 1150+ ebay feedback comments (ALL are for vintage furniture and decorative arts SALES) to be assured that all my items are in excellent condition and that I strive to describe all my items as accurately as I can.
As the photos show, this suite is in excellent condition overall. The chairs are all solid and sturdy and I see no reason why they won’t last forever even with heavy use. The metal is thick with NO rust and NO damage to report at all. The connections underneath are all STAINLESS STEEL but vintage stainless steel- there is NO rust or aging to the connections. The white coating is in brilliant condition for the age of the chairs- I don’t think it’s paint but I’m not sure what it is. Various edges and corners have minor loss to the white finish on most chairs (see the close-up photos). None of this is unsightly or really noticed. I think it only adds to the character of this vintage suite. The tops of the legs of a couple of chairs and near the leg tips had lost a bit of the white finish but I’ve touched up these areas with 2 to 3 coats of premium quality exterior paint- these areas are now not noticeable even if you’re looking for them.
For dining chairs that have been outside about 60 years they all present extremely well. Many dealers get Flexalum items powder-coated. This suite is not in need of that (and nowhere near it).
The condition of the table will be described in more detail in another ebay listing.
Measurements. Chairs- Across- 38cm. Total depth- 45cm. Seat height- 45.5cm. Total height- 79cm. For FREIGHT- Chairs- 0.38X0.45X0.79 (X6)= 0.81 cubic metres. This suite can be handled by one person. (Table not included in this price- Length- 96cm or extended 166cm. Depth- 95cm. Total height- 70cm. There is good clearance under the table for chairs.)
Read my 1150+ ebay feedback comments (ALL are for vintage furniture and decorative arts SALES) to be assured that all my items are in excellent condition and that I strive to describe all my items as accurately as I can.
