In brief
- The Frederick Parker Chair Collection is leaving London Metropolitan University after more than two decades.
- Its new home is the East London Furniture Institute (ELFI) in the Royal Docks.
- The most significant chairs will form a permanent display at ELFI; pieces chosen for release were sold at Sworders on 23 June and in a sealed-bid auction from 6 to 24 July 2026.
One of the best-known study collections of British chairs is changing hands. The Frederick Parker Chair Collection, housed at London Metropolitan University for more than twenty years, is moving to the East London Furniture Institute (ELFI) in the Royal Docks, the Furniture Makers' Company has announced.
The Company says the move is meant to keep the collection open to students, makers and researchers inside a furniture education community. In its words, the most significant, historically important and inspiring chairs will be retained for a permanent display at ELFI.
“the most significant, historically important and inspiring chairs will be retained”
— The Furniture Makers' Company
What was sold
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Subscribe freeChairs chosen for release from the collection went to auction at Sworders on 23 June 2026. A further sealed-bid auction ran from 6 to 24 July.
Why ELFI
ELFI, at 15 University Way in the Royal Docks, teaches furniture making and upholstery, including T Levels in Craft and Design and the AMUSF Diploma in Upholstery. Putting a historic chair collection next to a teaching workshop means students can study original frames, joints and upholstery at first hand.
The Furniture Magazine has asked ELFI when the permanent display will open and how students will use it, and will report the answer.
Sources
The Furniture Magazine
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