Vintage furniture shop Mr. Chair will be joining Leon Gallery’s quarterly auction on October 17. Here’s a preview of what’s up for bidding.

With slow and safe days spent at home, a lot of us have kept busy—by redecorating our space, that is. From building a picture-perfect study area for #aesthetic goals to filling up the house with plants, or even investing in a statement piece or two, there are just so many ways to make our spaces look and feel like a reflection of us.

Building up a dream look for your space, however, starts with the furniture you choose. Some opt for a minimalist approach with classics and neutrals, while others choose colorful pieces for a vibrant feel. But undoubtedly, we can all agree that amid all the choices, there has to be a statement piece to complement and complete your place.

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Leon Gallery x Mr. Chair

For fans of curated living spaces, vintage furniture shop Mr. Chair makes an appearance in Leon Gallery’s quarterly auction: the 21st Leon Exchange Online Auction. Set on October 17, 2021—day 3 of their quarterly online sale—the shop will be showcasing their furniture pieces under the Heiress Homes and Tables category.

The upcoming online auction will feature a large lot—from artworks and furniture to watches and collectible toys, and many more key pieces. And in this carefully curated lineup, 50 pieces from Mr. Chair will be included in the mix. What’s more, this collaboration is a first between Leon Gallery and Mr. Chair—both trusted sources of beloved pieces.

“We’re thrilled to be part of the Leon Exchange Online Auction this October. We feel the renowned and respectable gallery truly aligns and understands the Mr. Chair thrust and aesthetic,” says Torto Canga, purveyor of vintage chair collections and Mr. Chair himself.

Of Practical Form and Function

Founded in 2017 by husband and wife tandem Torto and Meryll Canga, Mr. Chair started out as a hobby, turned passion project, that eventually became a full-fledged vintage furniture business. As advocates of good design, Torto and Meryll built a collection of vintage collectibles—sourced from different parts of the world—to create a collection of vintage modern furniture. And that is what Mr. Chair is known for.

With pieces tailor-fit to suit the Filipino home, these furniture pieces and accessories from Mr. Chair are created by iconic designers with a clear and thorough understanding of movement, play, work, rest, and life. Serving both practical form and function, these timeless pieces are made to last—for future generations to come.

“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,” explains Torto.

10 Must-have Vintage Furniture Pieces

Headlining the 50 pieces from Mr. Chair, these are 10 covetable pieces that you may find in the upcoming Leon Exchange Online Auction:

10. First Production Norman Cherner Bernardo Marked Chairs for Plycraft (Lot Number 1277)

A chair that’s known for its “scandalous past”, the Cherner Chair was once embroiled in controversy. Its fabricated name “Bernardo,” which is only found in the earliest models, was perpetuated by Plycraft to defraud Norman Cherner of his creation. These chairs still bear the “Bernardo” label, making them a rare find.

An icon in its own right, the Cherner Chair features a mid-twentieth century design and can be found in galleries and design collections worldwide, including the Vitra Museum.

Materials: molded plywood

Dimensions: H-80cm, L-47cm, W-43cm / with arm-63cm, Seat Height-44cm

9. Pelican Chair by Finn Juhl for the House of Finn Juhl (Lot Number 1278)

The Pelican Chair is an embodiment of Finn Juhl‘s fascination for surrealism—way ahead of his time. Showcasing a characteristically soft and organic shape, the chair is reminiscent of a body cradling another body, making it both comfortable to rest on and ergonomic.

Aside from its unique shape and stubby legs, the piece stands out with its bold pink color—made of hand-upholstered wool with complementing tufting buttons. The chair is in outstanding condition.

Materials: Oak, hand-upholstered wool fuchsia

Dimensions: H-68, W-85, D-76, Seat Height-37 cm

8. Qvist Rocking Chair by Peter Qvist, Denmark (Lot Number 1279)

A future-forward modern classic that is both functional and unique, the Qvist rocking chair is designed by Danish architect Peter Qvist. This wooden chair is made from laminated birch veneer and polyester, decked in neutral colors to match any living space.

Materials: Laminated birch veneer & polyester

Dimensions: W-115 cm, D84 cm, L108 cm

7. Vintage Model 925 3-Seater Leather and Rosewood Sofa by Arne Norell for Coja, 1960s (Lot Number 1280)

Designed by Swedish furniture designer Arne Norell for Coja, the model 925 sofa features a rosewood base with brown leather upholstery. This piece is in very good vintage condition.

Materials: Leather & rosewood

Dimensions: H48 cm x W77 cm x D78cm

6. Vintage Kai Kristiansen Hydraulic Bar in Rosewood (Lot Number 1281)

A showstopper in its own right, this vintage rosewood bar cabinet is designed by prolific Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen in 1968. With the turn of a key, the hydraulic system kicks in and the bar cabinet rises, revealing beautiful interiors with built-in orange plastic bar accessories that can hold several glasses and bottles.

What’s more, the natural rosewood grain is unique, as some of the patterns resemble dog faces. While it may have minor signs of wear and tear—consistent with age and use—the piece is in good vintage condition.

Materials: Rosewood, steel & plastic

Dimensions: W 85.73 cm, H 67.31 cm, D 40.01 cm

5. 1980s Original Production First Chair by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis Milano (Lot Number 1282)

Making its way into 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. With its bright colors and geometric form, the chair’s post-modern appearance makes it stand out.

Nostalgic, modern, and infused with space-age futurism, this piece is reminiscent of a child’s toy and serves as an iconic representation of the greatest expressions of postmodern design in Italy and around the world. Do note that the chair is from the original 1980s production and displays some signs of wear, consistent with its period.

Material: steel & enameled wood

Dimensions: H-91cm, W-65cm, D-47cm, Seat Height-46cm

4. Vintage Paimio Alvar Aalto Lounge Chair for Artek (Lot Number 1288)

A tour de force in bentwood that tests the limits of plywood, the Paimio Chair is designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1930s. The best-known piece of furniture by Aalto, this chair is named after a town in southwestern Finland, where he designed a tuberculosis sanitarium.

Designed to help patients breathe more easily, this chair was used in the sanitarium’s lounge. What’s more, this particular piece is one of the most iconic chairs ever produced and can be found in many design museums worldwide—like the MoMA, Design Museum Denmark, and Vitra Museum in Germany, just to name a few. The chair is in good condition but shows minor signs of use.

Materials: Bent Plywood & Birchwood

Dimensions: 66 cm x 60.3 cm x 87.6 cm

3. Verner Panton System 1-2-3 Deluxe Lounge Chair (Lot Number 1284)

A brightly colored, original production Verner Panton Deluxe Lounge chair with tufted upholstery. The chair is in good condition with only the foam cushion restored.

Materials: steel, aluminum & fabric

Dimensions: H 89 cm, D 50 cm, W 58 cm, Seat Height 33 cm

2. Vintage Danish Rosewood Highboard With Mini-Bar (Lot Number 1318)

This vintage high board showcases exquisite rosewood grain patterns—reminiscent of bird feathers, which also add texture to its robust cubist shape. Additionally, the built-in mini-bar comes with a built-in lighting system that is automatically triggered when the sliding doors are opened.

A dynamic piece for those looking to curate furniture for their bar, this high board is in its original vintage condition, but you can also opt to have it refinished by Mr. Chair.

Materials: Rosewood, glass

Dimensions: H 125 cm, L 183 cm, D 50 cm

1. Rare Vintage Teak Dining Table With Butterfly Extensions by Sven Aage Madsen for K. Knudsen (Lot Number 1319)

A Scandanavian vintage piece, this teak dining table features 2 hidden butterfly extensions built into the underside of the table for easy access. The table is adjustable and can be expanded into 3 different lengths, depending on the number of guests. The table is in good vintage condition.

Material: Teak

Measurements: H-72cm, L 115-144-173 cm x D 115cm

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Register online through https://www.leonexchange.com/en/auctions to bid on these 10 unique pieces and see the other collectibles. Mr. Chair urges you to rediscover the era of iconic design and welcome these pieces into your contemporary home. For more details, you may visit Mr. Chair’s Instagram page and website at www.mrchairph.com.