News
Chairs from Frederick Parker Collection offered in sealed bid auction
Collectors, furniture makers and design enthusiasts are being offered a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from the renowned Frederick Parker Chair Collection as part of a sealed bid auction.
The auction, which runs from Monday 6 July until Friday 24 July, features a carefully selected number of chairs from the collection as it begins an exciting new chapter with its relocation from London Metropolitan University to its new home at the East London Furniture Institute (ELFI) in Docklands.
Founded by Frederick Parker (1845–1927), whose furniture-making business later became Parker Knoll, the collection represents a remarkable archive of chair design, craftsmanship and construction. Parker originally acquired these pieces as inspirational examples for his craftsmen, providing insight into exceptional workmanship, materials and design across different periods and styles.
After more than two decades at London Metropolitan University, the Frederick Parker Chair Collection is being transferred to ELFI – an emerging centre of excellence dedicated to furniture making, upholstery and craftsmanship training. The move will ensure the collection remains accessible to future generations of students, makers and researchers, while placing it at the heart of a thriving furniture education community.
As part of the transition, the collection is being carefully reviewed and refined. The most historically significant, educationally valuable and inspiring chairs will be retained to form a permanent display at ELFI, where they will continue to support teaching, research and public engagement.
A selection of pieces identified as suitable for deaccessioning will now be made available through the sealed bid auction. The sale provides a unique opportunity to own an item from a collection that has played an important role in preserving and documenting the evolution of chair design and traditional furniture making.
Bids will be accepted until 5.00pm Friday 24 July. Further details on the chairs available and how to submit a sealed bid can be found in the links below.