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Reception Chair #2002-1037Prime Minister’s Office, North Wing, Main Floor

Black bean armchair with green polyester back, sides and seat, squab cushion with press-studs on underside to hold; square tapered legs. Note: Reupholstered in a brown wool fabric to match the original covering.

History

During the early 1970s acute accommodation shortages in the building necessitated a major phase of redevelopment in which extensions were made to the front west and east sections of the building, new offices constructed on the roof and a new wing on the Senate side erected to match the wing added on the Representatives side in 1965. This redevelopment included a new President of the Senate’s suite, new meeting rooms on the lower floor, and a new suite for the Prime Minister and his staff. New furniture was crafted by Decro Pty Ltd in Melbourne to complement these new rooms. This chair was designed and made by Decro for the Prime Minister’s suite.

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Statement of values

This Reception Chair is significant as an item of furniture in the Heritage Collection through its association with the extensions to the building, in particular the House of Representatives Wing and the Prime Minister’s suite. Additions to the original collection, such as this chair, are significant in documenting important stages in the adaptation of the building to meet the ever increasing demands of accommodating more Members and their staff, a process which continued until the relocation of the Australian Parliament to the new Parliament House. Significantly, the extensive modifications to the building arose from combining the functions of the executive arm of government and the legislative function in the one building.

This Reception Chair is significant as a component of the Heritage Collection, which comprises those pieces of furniture which were used in the Provisional Parliament House between 1924 and 1988. The collection has associations with the process of government, the ceremonial, administrative, promotional and recreational functions conducted within the House, and with the individuals who governed Australia between 1927 and 1988.

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  • Reception Chair (plans ii) - Old Parliament House CollectionReception Chair (plans ii) - Old Parliament House Collection
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Details

Width 575mm
Height 810mm
Depth 575mm
Medium Black bean; timber; polyester
Creator’s name Decro Pty Ltd.
Date created Circa 1972