The Frederick Parker Chair Collection
Our friends at the Furnituremakers are parting with some of their collection this summer.
The Frederick Parker Collection is a unique collection of around 200 English chairs dating from the 1670s to 2015. Most of the chairs were purchased as antiques by Frederick Parker & Sons in the first half of the 20th century to provide models for reproduction. It is the only surviving collection formed in this way and gives a special insight into the furniture industry at this time. Further chairs have been added since the 1950s reflecting changing styles and modern design.
Alongside the chair collection is the comprehensive archive of Frederick Parker & Sons and Parker Knoll, capturing over a century of furniture design, production and marketing.
A selection of some of the Frederick Parker Chair Collection is going up for auction at Sworders Auction House on Tuesday 23rd June:
If you are interested in any of the chairs up for auction you can view the pieces via this link The Frederick Parker Collection pieces start on page 80.
After more than 20 years at the London Metropolitan University, the Collection is moving to its new home at the East London Furniture Institute (ELFI) in Docklands – a growing centre for excellence in furniture making and upholstery training.
As part of this transition, the collection is being carefully refined. While the most significant and inspiring chairs will form a permanent display at ELFI, a number of pieces are now available to collectors, makers, students and enthusiasts through two auctions. The first auction is on Tuesday 23rd June at Sworders Auction House. A second auction of the lesser value pieces will take place in late July.