Description
This set sold for $965 (for ALL SIX chairs) in 2014 to a guy who has bought a LOT from us over the years. He’s purchased about 50 furniture items from us over the years. He basically kept us in business while we tried getting off ebay. (Ebay is like a drug only much harder to get off- because they don’t allow you to advertise your website address or contact details. But we finally did it! As of 2020, I have listed no furniture on ebay for about 3 years!)
Provenance and Background Info
(This description was written in 2016.)
A set of 6 Chiswell dining chairs made in 1966. Sets of 6 chairs from this era are getting really hard to get particularly with upholstery that would suit most of today’s interiors. Most of these chairs in this set have the original Chiswell label underneath. These are probably the best quality dining chair of the era you can buy. Put one of these chairs beside a 1960’s Parker dining chair and there’s no comparison as far as quality goes. These chairs are heavy and SOLIDLY built- EVERY chair is completely sturdy after 50 years of family use. EVERY joint is solid and sturdy- crafted perfectly to lock together at each corner. And it’s not just me who thinks these are well-built chairs. Most chairs still retain the S1 Furniture Standards label independently judged by the Furniture Guild of Australia back in the mid-1960’s. This seal of approval is rarely seen on any Australian dining chair.
They’re also a stunning design. They’re angular and geometric but also have the sleek, sophisticated styling of Danish chairs, giving them an intriguing contrast. The dainty Danish designs seem to be everywhere at the moment- I’ve even gone to restaurants where there are swarms of them (hundreds) and they’re in all the replica shops being churned out in China by the millions. This Chiswell design offers a breath of fresh air- it’s a distinctly Australian design and rarely seen.
Solid honest workmanship, a design that draws you in more over time- this leaves investment appeal and comfort. These Chiswell chairs are a LOT more comfortable than any dining chair with Danish styling I’ve sat in. The seat and back are padded (with Dunlopo latex foam- the best money can buy). The back was built not to look stunning but because it’s integral to the comfort of this chair. The angle is spot on- you’d be able to leisurely sit in these for extended dinner parties (for hours) with no problem!
Investment appeal- when a set of chairs tick every box as resoundingly as these it would be easy just to tick the investment appeal box as well. But no need to. These chairs are really good value for money. The best Parker chairs (which are not as solid and strong) are selling for $3900 for a set of 6 in some shops. With these there’s virtually no other mid-century chair that even comes close in price. The original white vinyl upholstery (in great condition and as timeless as you can get) solidifies a strong investment.
More than anything, the thing that sold these chairs to me was knowing exactly what I was getting- look at them after 50 years of use! There’s no need to imagine how long these chairs may (or may not) last for. They won’t end up as landfill any time soon. And if the design still gets noticed 50 years on, it always will.
