$1,795.00

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Description

Priced to SELL! OUR PRICE IS $1,795 THE PAIR (for BOTH chairs). These are worth a LOT more than this but they’re part of a deceased estate so we want them to sell sooner rather than later. Our price makes this pair an amazing INVESTMENT. You just can’t go wrong! I’ve seen ONE priced at $2,750 in Australia (fully restored). This would make this matching pair worth about AUD $5,000. There is also a pair in Chicago, USA for US $8,000 which is AU $11,800. (See the Screenshots). If you want to arrange to get them to America it would be well worth your while! They couldn’t even be made in China for this price but are authentic art deco pieces in tubular aluminium (not chrome). Aluminium is a lot more durable than chrome (or steel) as it doesn’t rust.

LOCATION- being sold by the Executors Of a Will under consignment in iNVISeDGE- the item is part of a deceased estate in BONDI JUNCTION, Sydney. These chairs can be transported Australia-wide for a reasonable fee. It would cost ABOUT $280 to get both chairs to MELBOURNE or BRISBANE.

Background and Provenance

(This description was predominantly written in 2009 but updated in 2024.)

Furniture in this tubular aluminium design is probably one of Australia’s most interesting furniture stories. Designed by the American designer, Warren McArthur in the 1930’s, this style of furniture catapulted McArthur to fame and captured the imagination of the country. In America, design buffs, celebrities and movie stars were enthused by McArthur’s designs and instead of silver some of the metal frames were done in anodized colours such as peach and pale blue. It has been often said that nobody at the time possessed the design capabilities of the Europeans; except for the American, Warren McArthur. Today design connoisseurs comment that his work was in a league above and beyond what was happening worldwide at the time. What I believe sets it apart is the seamless infusion of industrial styling with a feeling of soul.

What’s most interesting from an Australian point of view is that Australia was the only country worldwide (outside of America) to be granted a license to produce Warren McArthur’s designs. I have heard an interesting story about how this came to be but I’m yet to verify whether this is just a story or the truth. The license was granted to Namco, some say in the 1930’s but I believe it was later; maybe the early 1940’s or even mid-40’s. Some of the designs picked up in Australia were different to those in America. I believe this particular pair of chairs was made in Australia (by Namco in the late 1940’s) and not America. I’m not certain if this design was ever produced by the Warren McArthur Corporation in America- they may have only been made in Australia by Namco. I have only come across this particular chair design once or twice while trawling American websites so it’s possible the design was only ever made in Australia. (And the ones found in America were exported out of Australia- because they are generally worth double in America compared to what they’re worth in Australia.) One thing is for sure, they are not common which solidifies the investment appeal on offer here. I could only find 3 other chairs in this design for sale on a worldwide platform. I stated above that this is a no-brainer investment opportunity- that’s not my opinion. It’s the truth. If they don’t sell I will consider buying them myself, storing them and putting the price up. It’s obvious they are vintage pieces from the 40’s and it should be obvious to anyone they are worth more than this. Warren McArthur’s work will continue to increase in value in coming years. I have a few McArthur pieces in my own home as I have appreciated his designs from when I first spotted one of his chairs amongst a barrage of industrial junk in an auction centre.

One thing that you must consider when investing in vintage pieces is durability and quality. Both of these criteria get a resounding tick for McArthur chairs. These chairs were built to last and have- just look at them after about 80 years of use!

It would be great if these chairs find an Australian buyer but I am opening this listing to American buyers (IF  THEY ORGANISE THE FREIGHT!). Warren McArthur’s designs have stood the test of time in all ways possible. The construction is incredible- they’re lightweight and strong- the curves and angles are sensational and still “pack a punch” 80 to 90 years on (written in 2024). After the majority of modern designer furniture has ended up as landfill this pair (made the 1940’s) will only become more valued. There are few better ways to invest in your home and reduce your carbon footprint.

2409

For chairs that are about 80 years old, they are incredible. Structurally both chairs are solid and sturdy- NO noticeable dents, NO bent metal, NO cracks in the metal etc etc- the structural brilliance of McArthur’s work has been longed praised and resulted from his engineering background. McArthur patented the “beehive” joins and these became the trademark of all his furniture. The frame is tubular aluminium and has a brushed silver anodized finish. This anodized finish has various small marks over the years but overall both frames look good. The signs of use / age to the aluminium frames are consistent all over- there is no abuse that draws your eye - NO unsightly scratches, NO dents, NOTHING like that- just gentle signs of use / age all over. Two aluminium caps are missing- one is under an armrest so is not noticed at all. The other could be replaced using another cap under an armrest or you could craft a cap out of timber and paint it silver. I did this with a Biltmore chair we sold in the past and it worked really well. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The cushions are original (structured timber) and were re-upholstered in a heavy-duty fabric about 15 years ago. The upholstery choice is PERFECT in my eyes- love it! This is why I wanted to represent this pair- they look amazing restored and this modern fabric suits the design to a T. The seats are constructed of timber- they’re very heavy, supportive and very comfortable. You are confidently held in perfect seating position. There is NO damage to the timber/spring construction at all. The upholstery looks extremely good- as shown in the photos. These were reupholstered about 15 years ago and have been used with care since then. There are no noticeable signs of use. There might be some very feint signs of use but certainly nothing at all that draws your eye. They look great- as the photos show. Obviously no condition issues have been hidden from view. The condition is exactly as is depicted in our range of photos. Click on the Magnifying Glass in the top corner of each photo- then click on the enlarged image to Supersize it. These are basically loose cushions screwed onto a frame. Reupholstery at any time would be cheap and easy but this is not something that needs to be thought about for decades. The current upholstery is thick, hard-wearing and in brilliant condition with NO holes, NO cuts, NO areas of wear and virtually no signs of use. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Measurements. Across- cm. Total height- cm. Seat height at highest point- cm. Armrest height- cm.
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