Description
THIS PAIR SOLD FOR $690 THE PAIR THROUGH iNVISeDGE IN 2014. THEY TOOK A FEW MONTHS TO SELL because this was when I didn’t have my website and was selling exclusively on ebay. (It is impossible to get fair prices for anything on ebay.)
Provenance and Background Info
(Written in 2014)
A PAIR of Art Deco Bakelite side tables or stools made in the 1940’s. I’ve kept these for about 8 years waiting to find a spot for them in my home but they’re still in storage so it’s time for them to see the light of day again. I loved the idea of having side tables that could also be used as extra seating if needed. (These were made as stools.) Besides the fact that Bakelite is distinctly deco these stools are super-thick making them very strong and durable. Bakelite largely went out of production in the 1940’s so these are from the 1940’s. I also love the mix of colours. The grey-coloured stool in particular is mesmerizing with no less than 7 colours used. I’ve never seen anything like it- the Bakelite is like a work of art in itself. These stools are extremely rare- I’ve seen only one other (three all up) in my travels for stock over the last 12 years. I have trawled the internet for hours trying to find out more to help value them. There are none online worldwide. The Americans go gaga over Bakelite. There are Thonet Bakelite stools (I actually like these more) that showed up a few times. The Thonet Bakelite stools are ridiculously rare and I couldn’t get a value on those either. Most of them showed up on 1st Dibs (but were sold)- I’d say they’re valued at well over $US1000 each.
I eventually found a pair of Bakelite chairs for sale in the US. The seat and back are bakelite and the frame is tubular metal. They’re $US6000 the pair! The value of these is anyone’s guess. Because the Bakelite is so thick the Bakelite alone is worth big $.
Besides being a cool décor item, these are a great investment and a reminder of times gone by. When modern stools have ended up as landfill this art deco pair will be passed onto another owner, a symbol that when something has been designed and made well its appeal will never waver. There are very few better ways to invest in your home and reduce landfill.
