What is Parker Furniture?

Question

I've just bought a Parker Cabinet and can find many examples of these 60's retro furnishings, but nothing about who Parker was or any kind of write up on the furniture.

Answer 1

The story began in 1869 with an enthusiastic young furniture maker named Frederick Parker. After completing an apprenticeship at his father's furniture factory, Frederick set up his own chair making business. In a small room above his father's stables, he could be seen handcrafting the finest furniture for the Victorian gentry.

Frederick was convinced that the only way to produce fine furniture for contemporary use would be by studying the 'old masters'. So he bought a library of books on furniture from the 17th to the 19th centuries, together with carvings and textiles. He faithfully drew on these models and encouraged his craftsmen to acquire and develop traditional skills.

This approach proved successful. After several years, Frederick moved from his loft room to larger production facilities throughout the East End and North London - In and finally to High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire in 1898. The company Frederick Parker and Sons Ltd was registered in 1904. Their handmade sofas and armchairs had a reputation for quality and excellence, just as they have today.

It was this steadfast reputation for high quality chairs that won Parker the opportunity to furnish a number of the world's greatest ocean liners, including the Aquitania's Palladian Lounge, which was heralded as "one of the most elegant rooms afloat".

Later known as PARKER KNOLL They also made  other wood framed seating and the famous Parker Knoll recliner.All very retro now,but once a byword in  British quality  furniture.