GET REAL - PART TWO - INVESTMENT PIECES

Following our previous Get Cultured 'Get Real' post on Authentic Design, we thought we might support our claims. It seems that buying authentic classic furniture not only holds its value, but in some cases far surpasses anyone's wildest dreams - check out these pieces found on the auction section of architonic.com



Serge Mouille 3 Branch Floor Light - Current RRP $14,000AUD
Sotherby's Auctions Estimated value: $24.000-32.000USD

Arne Jacobsen Swan Chair - Current RRP $11,300AUD
Sotherby's Auctions Reached Price: $12,000USD



Poul Kjaerhom Pk71 Nest Tables - Current RRP $3204AUD
Wright Auctions Reached Price: $6500USD



PH Table Lamp - Current RRP $2599AUD
Sotherby's Auctions Estimated value: $3000-4000USD



Serge Mouille Table Lamp - Current RRP $4323AUD
Tajan Auctions Reached Price: 14.440EUR

Hans J Wegner CH445 - Current RRP $9091AUD
Sotherby's Auctions Reached Price: $20,400USD


And if those figures still haven't convinved you that furniture proves good return on investment, then perhaps this might help you change your mind...


From Yves Saint Laurent's private collection - therefore a real collectors item, the Dragon Chair by Eileen Gray sold for a record $28 million USD.

GET REAL - PART ONE: PRICE TAGS

With so much talk at the moment regarding Authentic Designer Furniture versus Replica Furniture, we thought it best to set the record straight on where Corporate Culture stand on Authentic Design. The term ‘design’ is key in the entire debate. Original design is not driven by price, nor does original design need to be expensive to be considered ‘designer’. Original design is about creative problem solving and innovation. Too often are the masters such as Arne Jacobsen and Le Corbusier’s design philosophies misunderstood? The Series 7 chair was never intended to be a luxury item, it was intended to be an everyday chair for all people. With time these prolific works have become enormously desirable and yes, a leather Egg chair or an LC4 Chaise are not in every one's budget, but why? Is it not a testament to the designers that these pieces have stood the test of time both in style and quality? In many cases vintage pieces from names like Jacobsen, Le Corbusier and Wegner are equally expensive as buying brand-new. The issue is not in the price tag, it would be unrealistic of us to expect everyone to afford many of these items, but we don’t believe the solution lies in replicas. For those who cannot afford these pieces, spend your money on new up and coming talent, support the current generation of designers with dreams of one day being considered one of the greats. We can’t guarantee you they will become one of the greats and quadruple in value, but we can guarantee you the replicas definitely won’t.



Arne Jacobsen designed the Series 7 in 1955.


Series 7 today, by Fritz Hansen


Le Corbusier designed the LC4 in 1928

LC4 Chaise today, by Cassina



Hans J Wegner designed the CH24 'Wishbone Chair' in 1950.


CH24 'Wishbone Chair' today, by Carl Hansen & Sons.


Corporate Culture are proud founding members of the Authentic Design Alliance.