Over 50 special home furnishings and statement pieces can be found at the auction
Ever since its establishment in 2017, Torto and Meryll Canga’s Mr. Chair has been the go-to place for vintage modern furniture and accessories. What started out as a hobby became a passion project that helps homeowners find the perfect statement piece for their abode. And with many Filipinos continue to stay indoors during the pandemic, the full-fledged vintage furniture business is on a mission to help make their interior design fantasy a reality—one hero piece at a time.
“When completing a home, investing in iconic vintage furniture instantly ups the taste factor of your space,” says Torto. “A vintage collectible piece for your home is an investment piece that increases in value over time. The wear of a cared-for collectible adds to the history of the piece and the warmth and story of your home.”
To continue just that, Mr. Chair is joining León Gallery’s quarterly auction, a collaboration that marks a first between León and the vintage furniture brand. Apart from artworks, watches, and collectible toys, the upcoming online auction, happening from Oct. 15 to 17, 2021, will present Mr. Chair’s carefully curated lineup of vintage modern furniture and accessories created by some of history’s most iconic designers and artists. Every piece is made with a clear and thorough understanding of movement, play, work, rest, and life. Each object is timeless, serving past and future generations in both form and function.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the León Exchange Online Auction this October,” Torto muses. “We feel the renowned and respectable gallery truly aligns and understands the Mr. Chair thrust and aesthetic.”
Headlining the 50 items from Mr. Chair for the León Exchange Online Auction are these covetable pieces.
First Production Norman Cherner Bernardo Marked Chairs for Plycraft (Lot Number 1277)
Known as the chair with a “scandalous past,” the Cherner Chair was once at the center of controversy with its fair share of deceit and drama, shrouding it with scintillating history. The fabricated name “Bernardo,” only found in the earliest models, was perpetuated by Plycraft to defraud Norman Cherner of his creation. All six chairs, in original and unrestored condition, bear the “Bernardo” label—a set considered to be the holy grail of Cherner chairs. The Cherner Chair is considered an icon of the mid-twentieth century design and can be found in galleries and design collections worldwide, including at the Vitra Museum.
Pelican Chair by Finn Juhl for the House of Finn Juhl (Lot Number 1278)
Finn Juhl’s fascination for surrealism became apparent in the design of the Pelican Chair, which is considered ahead of its time. The chair’s characteristic soft and organic shape is reminiscent of a body cradling a body, making it purposefully comfortable to rest on. The Pelican generates a space within itself, which implores for immersion and closeness. Aside from its curious shape and stubby legs, the piece stands out due to its bold-colored, hand-upholstered wool with complementing tufting buttons.
Qvist Rocking Chair by Peter Qvist, Denmark (Lot Number 1279)
Designed by Peter Qvist, the Danish architect combines structural stability with a transparent design to create a future-forward modern classic that is functional and unique. This wooden chair is made from laminated birch veneer and polyester.
Vintage Kai Kristiansen Hydraulic Bar in Rosewood (Lot Number 1281)
Designed by prolific Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen in 1968, this showstopper rosewood bar cabinet is simple yet elegant. With a turn of a key, the hydraulic system kicks in and the bar cabinet slowly rises, revealing its beautiful interiors with built-in orange plastic bar accessories that can hold several glasses and bottles. The amazing natural rosewood grain on this piece is also unique as some of the gain patterns at the front resemble dog faces. The piece is in good vintage condition with minor signs of wear consistent with age and use.
1980s Original Production First Chair by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis Milano (Lot Number 1282)
A staple in the collection of design museums around the world, the First Chair was designed in 1983 by architect and designer Michele de Lucchi for the Memphis group, founded by his friend and mentor Ettore Sottsass. Balancing line, plane, and sphere, De Lucchi created a chair that captures what postmodern sculpture and furniture is all about. The First Chair utilizes bright colors and geometric forms in an attempt to foster different sensations and responses from the viewer, somewhat a connotative of a child's toy.
Though seeming to be uncomfortable, the First Chair proved very popular and boasts a cult following with its appropriated modern iconography, infused with space-age futurism, nostalgic nods, and bold ornamentation. It serves as an iconic representation of the greatest expressions of postmodern design in Italy and worldwide.
The chair is from the original 1980s production and displays some signs of wear consistent with its period.
Vintage Danish Rosewood Highboard With Mini-Bar (Lot Number 1318)
Vintage high board with exquisite rosewood grain patterns resembling bird feathers, which adds texture to its robust cubist shape. In addition, the built-in mini-bar is illuminated by a built-in lighting system that is automatically triggered when the sliding doors are opened, these features add to the dynamism of the piece. The high board is in its original vintage condition but can be refinished by Mr. Chair upon request.
Rare Vintage Teak Dining Table With Butterfly Extensions by Sven Aage Madsen for K. Knudsen (Lot Number 1319)
Scandinavian vintage teak dining table with two hidden butterfly extensions built into the underside of the tabletop for easy access. The table can be expanded into three different lengths to suit the appropriate number of guests. The item is in good vintage condition.
Register online through www.leonexchange.com/en/auctions.