Facebook Marketplace Chair Discovery Nets $107,950 at Sotheby’s
Los Angeles-based interior design content creator Justin Miller turned a $50 Facebook Marketplace purchase into a $107,950 payout after discovering a rare 1930s armchair designed by Danish designer Frits Henningsen, demotivateur.fr reported.
In 2023, Miller scrolled through Facebook Marketplace and spotted a leather armchair listed as part of a Beverly Hills estate yard sale. The seller asked $50 for the piece. Miller bought it primarily drawn to the color of the leather. Before picking it up, the seller messaged him to note that repairing the chair would make it worth a fortune. Research revealed the oak and leather chair was crafted by Frits Henningsen in the 1930s, with only about 50 units ever produced.
Sotheby’s Restoration and Auction Details
Unsure how to properly renovate the rare furniture piece, Miller contacted Sotheby’s auction house on the advice of social media followers. The auction house agreed to handle the restoration, fixing the torn sections, treating the leather, and tightening the fabric beneath the seat. Sotheby’s initially estimated the starting auction price between $30,000 and $50,000.
Including the buyer’s premium, the total payout reached $107,950. Carina Villinger, head of the 20th-century design department at Sotheby’s, stated that the final sum marked a record price for a Henningsen armchair. Miller’s video documenting his live reaction to the sale accumulated 4 million views on TikTok within hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Justin Miller originally pay for the armchair?
Miller paid $50 for the worn leather armchair on Facebook Marketplace in 2023 when he found it listed by a seller in Beverly Hills.
Who designed the rare 1930s armchair?
The piece was manufactured by Danish designer Frits Henningsen during the 1930s, who produced only about 50 units of the chair.
What was the final sale price at Sotheby’s?
The hammer price reached $80,000, and with the buyer’s premium added, the total amount paid by the winning bidder came to $107,950.
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