Charles Rennie Mackintosh "Argyle" Chair, Vintage 1990s Alivar Model 854 L1 – With Black Leather Seat

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Description

Seller's Note - Logistics:

While Chairish-managed shipping is shown at checkout, I am open to discussing Buyer-Arranged Shipping if you … Read more Seller's Note - Logistics:

While Chairish-managed shipping is shown at checkout, I am open to discussing Buyer-Arranged Shipping if you prefer to use your own art courier or blanket-wrap mover to save on delivery fees. Please message me prior to purchasing to coordinate. Free local pickup is also welcome and available in the Boca Raton/Palm Beach, Florida area.


For sale is an authentic, vintage Italian-made Alivar Model 854 L1 reproduction of the iconic 1897 Charles Rennie Mackintosh Argyle High-Back Chair.

Fun piece of design history:
Charles Rennie Mackintosh originally designed the Argyle in 1897 for Miss Cranston's Argyle Street Tea Rooms in Glasgow. The very tall, straight back was actually tailored to the fashion of the time—accommodating the rigid posture, corsets, and giant wide-brimmed hats Victorian ladies wore. It’s an incredible piece of social history, and this Italian Alivar reproduction is beautifully made.

It makes a fantastic, dramatic statement piece all on its own in a hallway or foyer.
Also, it can be placed on its own against a bare, floor-to-ceiling wall, or styled next to a bar unit or cabinet in a smaller space to maximize vertical height.

This Alivar piece has been cared for in a smoke-free home and is structurally rock-solid. The black ash woodwork shows the deep texture of the natural wood grain.

Height: 53.34"
Width: 18.9"
Depth: 18.9"
Seat Height: 16.93"

This Argyle chair was originally purchased from the historic design showroom Sedia Inc. in Boston in 1995. The "854 L1" designation on the original invoice certifies its manufacture by Alivar in Italy, constructed from open-pore ebonized solid ash wood.
This specific piece features a custom-tailored matte black leather seat seamlessly affixed with professional internal pocket-screws and a clean beige dust cover.

Manufacturer: Alivar (Italy)
Model / Finish: 854 L1 (Open-pore Ebonized Ash Wood)
Upholstery: Custom premium black leather with internal pocket-screw frame mounting

Provenance: Includes a copy of the original 1995 Sedia Inc. showroom sales invoice explicitly detailing the Alivar model number, establishing a clear 30+ year paper trail of authenticity. Plus, a photo of the page of the Sedia Inc./Alivar glossy printout "catalog" showing many images and the Alivar model numbers, with an arrow pointing to the "854" Argyle Chair.

Sedia Inc: A prominent mid-century modernist furniture importer and distributor based in Boston, Massachusetts. They were the primary supplier responsible for importing Alivar’s Italian-made masterwork reproductions into the United States market. See less