CNN a while ago reported that in 2009, ' a Gray's brown leather "Dragons" chair sold for approximately $28 million at a Christie's auction, setting the standing record for a piece of 20th-century furniture.' and that 'Today, buying a chair at auction is akin to buying a painting in a number of ways. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's competitive. And yes, most people just do not "get" it.'
 
Antiques Trade Gazette or ATG magazine and online features on auction news are informative and often fascinating but only this week, they reported a record price for an IKEA chair at auction. Who could understand that the Swedish brand could sell for such a high price? The chair, is, in fact, not an IKEA mass produced flat pack piece but an iconic Mid-century piece.
 
To quote ATG: 'The Cavelli beech and fabric chair was designed in 1958 by Swedish designer Bengt Ruda (1918-99) and only in production during the first years of the furniture giant. IKEA named for the initials of the founder, Ingvar Kamprad (1926-2018) coupled with the initial letters of his farm and a nearby village, EA. He started the business in 1943 with furniture debuting in the 1948 brochure, followed by flat-pack items being introduced in 1953.
 
The Cavelli offered by Swedish auction house Stadsauktion Sundsvall at Auctionet’s autumn fine art sale on November 14 took SKr151,000 (£12,680) plus commission. Design specialist Andreas Siesing said the model had become “something of a holy grail for design enthusiasts”.' The owner had bought it at a charity shop for SKr270 in the 1980s.'
 
Sad for some that IKEA did not continue to produce such iconic pieces made to last?
 
Note:
Auction Technology Group or ATG with its own online auction website 'saleroom' for curated auctions regularly connects bidders from around the world to trusted auctioneers in the arts, antiques and collectibles market.
 
The Salvo online worldwide marketplace has a selection of Mid century architectural salvage and furniture for sale just do a 'Mid Century' search in the 'Antique & Reclaimed' sector. This currently includes Salvo Shop items, four Republic of Fritz Hansen Swan Chairs in leather for £ 12,000 and a pair of A pair of Mid-Century Modern cubicle doors in oak with original brass locks which state, 'Vacant' or 'Engaged' for £ 1,140. To reserve a Salvo Shop item with the Salvo member selling the item just click to 'Buy Now' .
 
See the ATG article at the link below