Description
We sold one of these sideboards for $990 back in 2011. One of our sellers found another for us in 2018- that one SOLD for $1195 within 14 days of being listed on invisedge.com.au. The piece in 2018 was in brilliant original condition. In 2020, I’d price this exact same piece at around $1440. Keep following our NEWLY LISTED Category- this piece SOLD from our website before it was shared on social media!
Background Info and Provenance
Description below was written for the Avalon sideboard we sold in 2011. Some information is time sensitive!
A fantastic 1960’s teak sideboard from Melbourne. The back is stamped with Avalon Furniture, an address that’s unreadable and Moorabbin, Victoria, 3189. I’m not sure of the designer background for this one but it’s certainly 1960’s- most likely early 60’s. In the 10 years I operated iNVISeDGE in Sydney I never came across one in Sydney and since re-locating here to Brisbane I haven’t seen any up here either. (I occasionally see them in Melbourne and had this one freighted up to Brisbane from Melbourne.) The styling is similar to those done by highly-regarded designer, Dario Zoureff. It’s probably a “knock-off” of his style (but still an authentic vintage piece) or it could be possible that Zoureff worked in partnership with Avalon Furniture at some stage- I really don’t know. The quality of the cabinet itself okay- it’s one or two steps down from a Parker sideboard. However, it’s design, artistic merit and the quality of the detailing is better than a Parker so it perhaps evens out- depends on what’s most important to you. The design of this piece has something to it that no Parker sideboard has or any of Parker’s rivals at the time. The detail in the doors with the three-dimensional effect certainly sets this cabinet apart and the high elevation off the floor adds to the distinction of the piece.
Parker sideboards are currently fetching about $1800 – $2000 from experienced dealers (again this was written in 2011) and this piece is in the same league. (But much harder to get.) If this piece is well cared for, it will still be still impressing 50 years from now. You are not really purchasing a furniture piece like this but merely looking after it for the next person. There’s no better way to reduce landfill.
Again, the quality of these is not what I’d ordinarily class as “investment furniture” but the artistic merit and detailing on the doors sets it apart and makes it a special Australian design nevertheless. If this sideboard is moved around carefully (and if you don’t put drinks on the top) it will continue to be enjoyed for another 50 years or more. I would personally get a piece of glass cut for the top if I owned it- this is obviously not necessary but would protect your investment. (The piece is a very strong investment if you look after it.)
