Description

Provenance and Background Info

(Written in 2012). These sold in iNVISeDGE for $1200 for the set of 6 in 2012. They were priced for a quick sale and sold in 3 days. I’d price them at more today (and more back then as well)- about $1650 today for the 6 chairs (2018). This buyer got a great investment!

An intriguing set of SIX (6) dining chairs designed by Fred Ward in Melbourne in the late 1950’s. As far as I know these chairs were part of the Myer Heritage range sold in Myer stores in the 1950’s. The suite is certainly 50’s and was definitely sold in Myer. I’m pretty sure the timber is Mrytle. This was a high-end suite in its day and still gets attention today. I use the word intriguing above because of the design. The section under the seat is reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower bases by Eames but overall the design also has a strong Japanese mid-century influence. What I love about these chairs is that Ward took different design aesthetics of the time and melded them into his own. This design is unique and one you won’t see again in a hurry, if ever.

Fred Ward was one of the big Australian designers of the era. His work enjoys a high profile and is often included in high-end auctions in Sydney and Melbourne. Various pieces of Ward’s are included in the collection of the Powerhouse Museum.

These chairs tick every box as far as dining chairs go. The design is stunning. The chairs are of the highest quality- every joint is rock solid after nearly 60 years of use. The chairs are comfortable- the curve, height and angle of the back have been very carefully considered for comfort. This is a practical chair- they’re easy to keep clean and looking great- ideal for young families. This suite also has very solid investment appeal- for a museum-quality suite this price is a steal and in the future it should at least retain its value. You’ll never get that buying new, certainly not in this price-range anyway.

With sensible use these chairs will last another lifetime (after all they’ve already been used for about 60 years). And the design today is regarded as a classic- it has superseded trends and stands in a league along with a select few. These chairs are a set to be passed from one generation to the next. There are very few better ways to invest in your home and reduce landfill.