Description

Provenance and Background Info

(These chairs sold through iNVISeDGE for $1800 for the 6 back in 2007. These days in 2019 I’d price the exact same suite at $2500 to $2700 for 6.) Regularly click on the NEWLY LISTED Category on our Home Page so you don’t miss any of our new finds.

I decided to paste in a description for a set in this design I sold in 2015 as it gives more information particularly about how these chairs have fared from an investment point of view over the years. THIS WAS NOT THE DESCRIPTION WRITTEN FOR THE SET iNVISeDGE SOLD IN 2007.

(Description written in 2015.) 

A set of SIX Parker dining chairs from around 1961-1964. I’d say these are around 1963 because a couple have a feint Parker ink stamp and another two chairs have the paper label Parker used before the foil label (and one has the foil label.) This is the most sought-after vintage dining chair design in this country and has been for some time. I get asked when I am going to stock another set of these chairs more than any other design. It has taken me since 2012 to get another set of 6- these are getting near impossible to get. (This was written in 2015.) I’ve seen them for $675 A CHAIR ($4000 for six) at a couple vintage stores in Melbourne.

They tick every box. They’re well made. Structurally this design has fared extremely well over the years. I can’t remember ever seeing one of these chairs broken. This is because it’s very hard for guests to lean back onto two legs. The angles, particularly the angle of the seat makes it hard to do this. Also the internal joinery in Parker chairs is incredible- this set of six are all structurally solid and sturdy after over 50 years of use (normal for this design). These chairs are also extremely comfortable for a dining chair- the back is curved and cradles your back (some Danish designs stick into your back- not these). These chairs also match in with various tables. (ANY TABLES SHOWN IN THIS LISTING ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE) If you decide later to extend your suite it’s possible to find other chairs in this design to match in. (I bought this set as 2 separate lots- a pair and set of 4.)

This is one of Parker’s best designs and is largely responsible for the reputation Parker still enjoy (they went out of business in the 1990’s after a 40-year stint in the Australian furniture marketplace). The design is bold and confident- the curves and tapering lines offer a captivating contrast.

This design has steadily increased in value over the last 15 years. I remember selling a set of four for $125 each back in 2003. By 2006 they easily fetched $275 a chair. They have continued to increase in value since. Values will continue to rise along with inflation at least. These are at the pinnacle in Australian furniture offerings, there are not many out there because people are holding tightly onto them these days.

These chairs tick all the boxes. If chairs look like this after 50 years of use the quality is assured. When most modern offerings have ended up as landfill this set will passed onto yet another owner and generation. There are no better ways I can think of to invest in your home and reduce landfill.