Description
This full PARKER lounge suite (the 3.5-seater sofa AND the pair of matching chairs) SOLD through iNVISeDGE in 2019 for $1800 for all 3 pieces.
Provenance and Background Info
(Written late 2018 / early 2019)
A pair of feature chairs made in Australia in the 1960’s by PARKER. (This listing is for the PAIR of CHAIRS only. The matching sofa is listed SEPARATELY. The coffee table can be purchased for an additional $150 with the pair of chairs). This suite was recently re-upholstered in a contemporary fabric so the Parker tags are no longer there but I’ve come across the design a couple of times in the 17 years I’ve been doing this- I’m certain it’s Parker (done in the mid to late 1960’s). After having much success with the sculptural elegance of the Nordic range (a direct rip-off of what was happening in Danish furniture at the time) Parker turned their hand to their own designs. This design was one of the first after the Nordic range. The design was so expensive to produce it had problems competing with what else was on the market so had a very limited run (it’s likely you won’t come across a suite like this ever again). After this design Parker made the style less complicated and more boxy-looking (they removed some of the curves)- the result was not half as nice but because it was cheaper it became commercially successful. You’ll see those suites around a bit but not these.
The success of Parker in its day and the subsequent revival of Parker Furniture from the late-1990’s onwards meant that various Parker designs were picked up again (around 2010) and are still being retailed in David Jones ($7000 for a pair of chairs- see the screen-shot provided). I strongly doubt they’ll pick up this design again though. They’d be competing with too much else on the market. Jardan do designs like this (also made in Australia)- the price tag for Jardan chairs that are not as complicated would be about $7000 the pair. The Kalos design (which is similar to this) by highly esteemed B & B Italia is still being retailed to this day (in contemporary fabrics just like this) for around $14 000 the pair! What’s fascinating is that this design came first- about 40 years BEFORE the Kalos design was ever conceived.
The design and construction has certainly stood the test of time- similar designs will be made forever but here you get to invest in vintage originals. The construction qualities are exceptional and show why Parker is so highly regarded when it comes to furniture.
The investment appeal of this suite is a no-brainer. They’re making similar in Italy to this day for $14 000 the pair. The re-upholstery of this pair (with the cost of fabric) would have cost very close to my asking price! (The upholstery job has been done by a Master Upholsterer in Australia to a meticulous standard.) Yes, you can buy similar “cheapie” chairs new from developing countries but most will end up as landfill within a decade. This suite serves as an inspiration of what can be made in Australia and prompts us all to ask why we’re not putting more attention into a new industry of items built to last generations (just like this suite has).
And before I finish, I have to add that the comfort of these chairs is brilliant. They are a great sitting chair- perfect for watching TV, reading or socializing. The angles are spot-on and you feel well supported in them. They are certainly not the type of chair you keep on sinking in and pray to God you’ll be able to fight your way out when it comes time stand up! (Listing price is for the pair of chairs only! The matching sofa will be listed shortly.)
