Chatley Matchstick Blackwood Dining Chairs, Set of Six

Six solid Blackwood dining chairs by Chatley, made in Melbourne in 1965 — a set that marks the moment Australian design let go of heavy traditional forms for clean architectural lines.

The signature is the floating backrest, a spade-shaped panel that appears to hover above the frame rather than sit on it. Tapered cigar legs ground the whole thing, so the chairs read as light without looking flimsy. Solid Blackwood throughout.

Upholstered in green vinyl. Chatley pieces surface far less often than Parker or Chiswell, and a matched set of six rarer still.