Q: I've been trying for awhile to find images of these chairs in their original condition to know what if any restoration to undertake. I've searched online for chairs by Thonet, Baughman and Wegner, but haven't seen anything similar. I've also asked around at different vintage furniture stores to no avail. The place I bought them from didn't know their origin.
Sent by James
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what makes you think they aren't original? I love the shape, they are fabulous chairs!
Looks like Milo Baughman to me.
Love them regardless of their pedigree. Great score.
Looks like 1980's design to me...
This looks like contemporary Chinese furniture from the 90s to me. I'd add something rough like burlap upholstery to contrast the newness of the chairs.
I saw a set of these chairs last week. I was told they were from the 70's. I think the seat was black padded leather.
Nice find, regardless of provenance. I'd leave them as found, as their age becomes them. If you do anything, I think you should make it radically different in texture and/or colour: bright large-scale patterned fabric, white flotaki, vintage kelim, astroturf, whatever strikes your fancy. . . so long as it's not black leather!
They don't look mid-century. They look like an 80's take on art deco.
So sad, does no one here remember Eileen Gray?? Nice find the wood seats seem a bit out of proportion. No labels eh?
Well Mr. Modtomic just beat me to it.
I was going to say that they look a heck of a lot like these:
http://www.designaddict.com/design_radar/index.cfm/fuseaction/design_radar_one/radar/6298/Chrome_and_Suede_chairs/
My guess would've been more late 60's or more likely 70's--Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Pace Collection, Anton Lorenz...the way that seat is done is kind of a Poul Kjaerholm knockoff.
Good god, Mr. Modtomic, the upholstery as it was in that pic on kaboodle is hideous--very 1980's trailer house with that puffy vinyl. They look MUCH better without it.
If they were mine to fix up, I'd take cues from the Poul Kjaerholm: http://www.voxarchitectae.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/PK11-4.jpg
Thanks all for the ideas and to Mr. Modtomic and Bruised for finding some comps. Based on those originals, think I'm going to try to keep any reno real simple (lightly sand the seats and apply a natural lacquer; need to remove some rust on the frames; and repaint the black backs -- love that they look like t-square tops) If that doesn't work, will explore upholstery option -- just not tan calfskin. :) Will post 'after' pix when complete. Thanks again.