The most expensive chair in the world

The most expensive chair in the world cannot be called furniture in the generally accepted sense. It is a luxurious original art object on the theme of Madame Recamier’s couch from the famous portrait of the 18th century French artist J.L. David. It was invented by Australian designer Marc Newson back in 1986 at the beginning of his career.

As the most influential industrial designer in the world, famous for creating futuristic sets for the Austin Powers films, Newson is associated with this unusual design work. The chair was named Lockheed Lounge and became the calling card of the Australian master.

What is special about the most expensive chair?

The aluminum lounge chair was named after the American aerospace company Lockheed. It is recognized as craft work of the highest quality.

The unusual piece of furniture was made from small sheets of aluminum covering a fiberglass base on three legs. It has a smooth, streamlined shape without a single seam. The couch is not suitable for its functional purpose.

Cost of the most expensive chair

The chaise longue and its author gained worldwide fame after the release of Madonna’s “Rain” video in the early 90s, where it was used as a decoration. The work was first exhibited in one of the galleries in Sydney. According to expert estimates, its cost is 1.2 - 2.4 million dollars. Today it is the most expensive chair in the world.

Reference! Marc Newson assured the public, indignant about the price, that his creation was “a million-dollar comfort.”

In 2013, a married couple, whose private collection contained the designer chair, sold it at Christies London auction for almost 750 thousand British pounds or 1,400 thousand US dollars. In 2015, at the Phillips de Pury auction, it was already sold for 2,435 thousand pounds sterling, breaking all world records for the cost of works of contemporary design.

Who is the owner of a luxury chair?

After an exhibition at Sydney's most influential gallery in 1986, the first chair was purchased by European private collectors. A few years later, Newson improved the design to the world-famous three-legged chaise longue.

Since 1986, the couch has been reproduced in a limited edition. Today, there are 15 copies of the Lockheed Lounge all over the world - 10 production copies, 4 originals and 1 prototype. They are owned by design museums in England, France, America, Australia, the Netherlands, and private European and American collectors.

The Australian designer believes that every chair contains a piece of his DNA and something else timeless. Newson's work accounts for about 25% of the contemporary art design market.