Description
LOCATION- a private seller’s residence in St. Ives, SYDNEY.
Due to the rarity and value of these chairs, we have priced them at $1,800 PER CHAIR. (Now REDUCED to $1,250 per chair!) (The price of the table is additional and will be taken in account separately. We’ve priced this suite PER chair because most offerings for this design are a single chair or pair- this pricing allows investors to compare value very easily.) If you’re interested in this suite, come forward … even if it is just to express interest and not to commit. If a strong offer comes in for 4 chairs and the table, we may consider it. BUT obviously as an investor of collectable furniture you’d be much better off keeping this suite together, even if you have to put a pair of the chairs in another room or get the top of the table replaced with marble to better accommodate all six chairs. There is much more value in keeping this suite together so I will be strongly encouraging investors to keep the suite together.) Preference will be given to those who would like to purchase the full matching suite.
Provenance and Background Info
(Written in 2023.)
A System 1-2-3 dining suite designed by Verner Panton in 1973 and 1974 for Fritz Hansen consisting of 6 deluxe chairs (with high backs)- these Panton chairs also have the original armrests PLUS there’s the matching table. I’ve come to the realisation that this suite is the closest to irreplaceable I have ever come into contact with. Whilst I was photographing it, the words, “holy fuck” kept escaping me- I just couldn’t help it. As someone who has been in this industry since 2001 (23 years now) I knew that I was in contact with something truly extraordinary- and very likely something I would not come in contact with ever again. (I’d be surprised if this suite stays in Australia for much longer- it is a lot more valuable in a place like New York).
There are so many reasons this suite is so special and I hope in the next 5 or 6 paragraphs I am able to do justice describing what’s on offer to the best of my ability because this suite truly deserves that.
What’s most important to get out quickly is that this suite was designed by Verner Panton, one of the world’s most influential furniture and interior designers of all time. Wikipedia says one of the Denmark’s most influential furniture and interior designers- I think that is selling the impact of Verner Panton’s work way too short! According to Wikipedia, “During his career, Panton created innovative and futuristic designs in a variety of materials, especially plastics and in vibrant, exotic colours. His style was very “1960s” but regained popularity at the end of the 20th century. As of 2004, Panton’s best-known furniture models are still in production (at Vitra among others).” Again, I can take this one step further, as of 2023 Panton’s best-known furniture models are still in being made.
It is when you dissect the above statement that the uniqueness of this suite becomes plainly evident. Verner Panton is most famous for his play of vibrant and exotic colours. To be honest, if this suite was in a vibrant, bold colour I wouldn’t have liked it half as much. These tall backs are imposing- a lot of Panton’s work could be described as “imposing”- he was always trying to make an impact. In this instance, if these tall backs were coupled with an exotic colour it would have been a very bold statement. I like the current colour as it allows the shape and magical flow of the design to take focus, not the colour.
This grey tone is NOT Verner Panton at all but helps pare back the imposing nature of the design and create a calming, soothing vibe. The tufting adds sophistication and a subtle point of interest and is demanding your eye to really see the incredible shape of this design and not be fixated on the fabric.
The thing is, this suite has a strange, almost compelling look that intrigues me the longer I look at my photos of it. There are so many contrasts at play but ultimately the look is sophisticated elegance, mixed with an equal amount of exuberant playfulness. Imagine this with a Carrara marble top (oval of course!) with a avant-garde chandelier hanging down to complete the look. I can totally see this on the cover of a trendy interior design magazine.
I need to add one more thing here because I still don’t think I’ve conveyed the look of what’s on offer well enough. Normally I hate the armrests on this design- they seem to ruin the flow of the design but here is one exception I’ve come across. The armrests here are actually adding to the futuristic look. The armrests seem to “break-up” the height of the back and pare back the height a notch. And the armrests only accentuate the curves and add to the flow- they don’t seem to add something more to look at here (they are NOT creating a question of whether or not the chairs would have been better off without them). These armrests are removable so can be removed CLEANLY but I really don’t think they should ever be removed. They are an additional extra that was chosen at the point of creation back in 1974. There’s a lot going on with the tufting- I think that the armrests seem to help balance the overall look of this suite so the tufting does not become a dominant force.
The overall look is special and the only suite like this I’ve ever come across. This suite is also the only suite I can find for sale at the moment WORLDWIDE with six chairs and the matching table. I have also never seen a set of six of these chairs with the FIRST fabric in such amazing condition ever. For a dining suite that’s about 50 years old, it’s pretty incredible!
The thing that really cemented it for me here is the label under one chair that has 1974 on it (my year-of-birth!) The Panton System 1-2-3 designs were released by Fritz Hansen in 1973 and 1974. It is one of the first suites like this ever made- 1974 on the label removes any shadow of a doubt. The System 1-2-3 designs by Verner Panton have been manufactured by Fritz Hansen, DK; Verpan (DK since 2010). Obviously the Fritz Hansen suites are and always will be the most collectable and desired.
I think that covers it … actually, I think there’s one more thing that needs to added. This suite would suit many spaces- even a small apartment. Yes- the backs are tall and imposing but the lack of busyness near the floor counteracts this so there is not too much activity here. There are only curves, no harsh edges and not the mess of 24 legs that normally happens when 6 chairs are assembled in such a small space. As Verner Panton himself stated in 1973 when the design was first released, “I wanted to design furniture that grows up out of the floor- to turn furniture into something organic, never with four legs.” Well, he achieved that- plus these chairs don’t look like chairs at all but an organic sinewy piece of art that’s highly practical and functional.
Sorry- one last thing. Investment appeal … that should be plainly obvious when you combine all of the above and invest perhaps an hour or two of your time researching Verner Panton (and the System 1-2-3) further. Matching sets of these chairs are few and far between. At the moment I can only find one set of 4 chairs for sale worldwide and whilst they look amazing, they have been re-upholstered. Re-upholstered vintage collectables will never be as collectable as those in first fabrics. I can’t find any sets of 6 for sale at this time worldwide. The average value of ONE System 1-2-3 chair is about AU $3200- that includes all the singles and pairs out there. A set of six is just not in the same league as those. As I said at the start, this suite is as close to irreplaceable as I ever think I’ve come in contact with.
My vendor is motivated to find the right home for these chairs sooner rather than later (but is not desperate to offload it). He grew up with this suite all his life- his Dad, an artist and art teacher, chose this as his pride and joy back in 1974- it is not the type of thing to be desperate to get out of your life. But in saying that, our intention is to sell the suite within a reasonable amount of time and not have it sit around for years. If you sit back, you will miss out. Call the number given in our CONTACT section.
On top of the financial advantage of investing in vintage furniture there’s the satisfaction of knowing there are very few better ways to reduce landfill. This suite already has a legacy spanning two generations- these chairs were built to last and already have. If you care for this suite, the legacy will be passed onto future generations. The bases are brushed aluminium so will never rust, the inner frame is steel so these are virtually impossible to break and the fabric is QUALITY-VINTAGE fabric that has done the job for almost 50 years and is set to continue going for another 50 (if you’re sensible using the suite). Investing in items that show respect for the use of our earth’s resources is our only way out of this mess. If you truly care about the future of this earth for our children, your furniture will be built for a lifetime of use (or more) just like this suite has been.
2305.4
BELOW DOES NOT APPLY. FOR DETAILS REGARDING TO THE CONDITION OF THIS SUITE CALL THE PHONE NUMBER IN OUR CONTACT SECTION. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BELOW DOES NOT APPLY!!! YOU NEED TO CALL US FOR FURTHER DETAILS PERTAINING TO THE CONDITION.
This pair of chairs is in excellent condition for their age. Structurally they are solid and sturdy. Neither has any movement where it shouldn’t- no damage at all. They are both solid sturdy chairs. Cosmetically the condition is also excellent. This is the original upholstery and in brilliant condition for the age of the chairs. The fabric choice is perfect for this design- “tidy” but very strong and durable too. The fabric has NO holes, NO noticeable patches of wear, NO noticeable marks, NO stains. The chairs are 45 years old and have been used so they are not in perfect condition but they’re as good as you’ll find for chairs like this in full original condition. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The top section of one chair lifts off the base- this is the only reason I spotted the original Fritz Hansen label. The other is fixed in place and doesn’t swivel. The fixed chair is exactly the same as the other, only it doesn’t swivel. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to use the mouse “Zoom In” tool to look at the chairs up close and personal all over. (There’s no damage at all though.) These chairs measure cm in width by about cm in depth with a total height of cm. The seat height is about cm at the front. The depth of the seat is about cm. Comfort is brilliant- all proportions / angles are spot-on. Read my 1200+ ebay feedback comments spanning over 18 years (all for vintage furniture and decorative arts SALES) to be assured that all my items are described as accurately as I can.
Go to our FAQ from the Home Page. Hover over ABOUT on the Home Page for any questions about freight/delivery that you may have.
Go to our FAQ from the Home Page. Hover over ABOUT on the Home Page for any questions about payment that you may have.
