Two photos are of Chiswell chairs we sold back in 2016- they are included in this listing to showcase the design- the light grey chairs have sold. The chairs on offer in this listing are beige vinyl (the original covering from the 1970’s). The $995 price is for all 6 chairs. The table is an additional $1,150. If you want to buy the 6 chairs and table together we’d do a deal FOR A LIMITED TIME- $1,550. Call me on the phone number in our CONTACT page to express interest in purchasing this vintage suite from 1973.
LOCATION- this suite is being sold under consignment by a private seller in Forster (about 3.5 hours North of Sydney) but freight Australia-wide is available. It’d be about $250 to get all 6 chairs to either SYDNEY or MELBOURNE.
Provenance and Background Info
(This description was written in 2016 but updated in 2024)
A set of 6 Chiswell dining chairs made in 1973. Sets of 6 chairs from this era are getting really hard to get particularly with upholstery that would suit most of today’s interiors. These are probably the best quality dining chair of the era you can buy. Put one of these chairs beside a 1960’s Parker dining chair and there’s no comparison as far as quality goes. These chairs are heavy and SOLIDLY built- EVERY chair is completely sturdy after 51 years of family use. These chairs all have the date imprinted underneath- 10 / 73 (Oct 1973). EVERY joint is solid and strong- crafted perfectly to lock together at each corner. And it’s not just me who thinks these are well-built chairs. This design won the S1 Furniture Standards label back at the time which was independently judged by the Furniture Guild of Australia back in the mid-1960’s when this design was first released. This seal of approval is rarely seen on any Australian dining chair.
They’re also a stunning design. They’re angular and geometric but also have the sleek, sophisticated styling of Danish chairs, giving them an intriguing contrast. The dainty Danish designs seem to be everywhere at the moment- I’ve even gone to restaurants where there are swarms of them (hundreds) and they’re in all the replica shops being churned out in China by the millions. This Chiswell design offers a breath of fresh air- it’s a distinctly Australian design that is rarely seen.
Solid honest workmanship, a design that draws you in more over time- this leaves investment appeal and comfort. These Chiswell chairs are a LOT more comfortable than any dining chair with Danish styling I’ve sat in. The seat and back are padded (with Dunlopo latex foam- the best money can buy). The back was built not to look stunning but because it’s integral to the comfort of this chair. The angle is spot on- you’d be able to leisurely sit in these for extended dinner parties (for hours)- no problem there!
Investment appeal- when a set of chairs tick every box as resoundingly as these it would be easy just to tick the investment appeal box as well. But no need to. These chairs are incredibly good value for money. The best Parker chairs (which are not as solid and strong) are selling for $4,200 for a set of 6 in some shops. With these there’s virtually no other mid-century chair that even comes close in price. The beige vinyl upholstery (in great condition and as timeless as you can get) solidifies a strong investment.
More than anything, the thing that sold these Chiswell chairs to me was knowing exactly what I was getting- look at them after 51 years of use! One owner who cared for this suite meticulously. There’s no need to imagine how long these chairs may (or may not) last for. They won’t end up as landfill any time soon. And if the design still gets noticed for all the right reasons 50 years on, it always will.
2408
