Description

SOLD in the first 45 minutes it was listed on our website BEFORE it was shared on Instagram (for $1190). This one was 2ND-GRADE LEATHER (NOT FULL-GRAIN leather)!

LOCATION- BRISBANE Northside (Morayfield).

Background Info and Provenance

(Written in 2021)

Fred Lowen designed the T8 range of lounge furniture for Tessa in 1976; it remained in production until the mid-1980s. The cushioning changed and then it was re-released (though I think they changed the name when the cushions changed?) The T8 range was based on the Norwegian designers of the 1960’s and 70’s, with gorgeous minimalist curves, and vintage leather.

This piece was made in AUSTRALIA. It has exceptional comfort with great back support and plushness- the minimalist look is also stunning plus there’s excellent durability to top off this very astute investment opportunity. Just imagine lying on this reading a book, working on your laptop at home or having that sneaky afternoon power-nap (whilst you’re still “at work”!) Whether in a library, a sunroom or a loungeroom, the relaxing comfort and minimalist design makes this a piece of furniture that will be used and loved for years to come.

This suite is upholstered in TOP-GRAIN VINTAGE leather that has just been cleaned and conditioned (nothing else). I write in my descriptions that Top-Grain leather is inferior. I kinda stand-by that comment and kinda don’t. Yes, it’s complicated and sometimes I don’t seem to make any sense. (Nothing in this world seems to anymore.) MODERN-DAY TOP-GRAIN LEATHER is the THIN crappy leather that often deteriorates within 10-20 years. The jury is still out as to whether this is the case with VINTAGE TOP-GRAIN LEATHER though. I can pinpoint the date of this lounger because it went OUT OF production sometime around the mid-1980’s. By the mid-1980’s Tessa was selling so few of them they discontinued the line. (These days this design is more popular than it ever was.) This means this leather is ABOUT 40 years old (or maybe ABOUT 35 years old). The seller told me they bought it new back in the early-1980’s. I see no reason to dispute this. This means this leather (WHICH IS THE ORIGINAL COVERING) is VINTAGE TOP-GRAIN LEATHER.

Why am I rambling here? It’s important you know what you’re getting but in this case I question that anyone knows for sure what you’ll actually be getting. I look at this leather and think it’s FULL-GRAIN LEATHER. I’ve been doing this 20 years and I know good leather when I see it. Then why does it have the TOP-GRAIN LEATHER label on it? That’s a question I don’t think anyone can answer (except those back in the factory who made this piece). PERHAPS Tessa put the wrong label on it or perhaps back at that time people were confused by the sudden need to classify leathers and didn’t understand (or care about) the difference of leather types (or the importance of putting the right label on the right item). I believe (and let’s call it a woman’s intuition here lol) that when Top-Grain Leather first came out everyone thought it meant TOP-GRADE LEATHER. Thank you China for making this all so difficult for anyone to understand. Back in the 1970’s and before, LEATHER was LEATHER … period. ALL LEATHER was great quality (back in the day). Then China decided to create new “leathers”…

The terms TOP-GRAIN leather and FULL-GRAIN leather became more widely used in the mid-1980’s onwards. I think back in the day no-one really knew what any of it meant or cared really. Right Michael, stop and just get to the bloody point! I believe this is FULL-GRAIN LEATHER OR THE EQUIVALENT IN QUALITY (BY TODAY’S STANDARDS). How do I know? Well I don’t know for sure, do I? You can put your trust in my opinion or not- I don’t care. I’ve priced this piece accordingly though. I’ve taken off about $200 (I value this piece at $1400 AT LEAST in today’s market- 2021) because I think the leather is great quality and the label may not be right. But I can’t be 100% sure because I wasn’t back in the workshop in the early-1980’s- I was a young kid then! I’m giving you a $210 discount for what I believe is nothing.

After a 50-year stint in the Australian Marketplace, making virtually all their furniture in AUSTRALIA, Tessa Furniture closed their doors in 2019. Unfortunately, many Australian businesses are no longer able to compete with cheap inferior imports. Tessa designs are so well-made that vintage second-hand pieces ended up becoming more sought-after than new Tessa Furniture. The investment appeal here is a no-brainer. These T8 loungers are RARE! And since COVID-19 lockdowns the T8 lounger in particular has become highly sought-after. In 20 years of trading, I’ve had only TWO of these- one was way back in 2006 and the other was earlier in 2021- the one this year sold in the FIRST DAY it was listed. (And I had countless people after it sold express much sadness in missing out- one lady seemed to start crying when I told her it was already sold. You snooze, you lose!) The T8 lounger had a very limited production run. They don’t come up often.

This lounger will last you the long haul- it has already survived ABOUT 40 years and is still in brilliant condition- just look at the photos! And this is what we love about selling designs such as this- this piece has only needed a minor clean-up only. Now it’s ready to be enjoyed by the next generation. This furniture follows our belief of conscious consuming and is perfect for those committed to making purchasing decisions that have a sustainable economic, and environmental impact. How is this purchasing decision a “stable economic decision”? By investing in something like this you’re saying you believe our furniture should be made LOCALLY again (BY PEOPLE!) Vote every time you open your wallet or purse. Vote ONE for- QUALITY VINTAGE FURNITURE!

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