“The Little Petra”

An easy chair for all the family

A true fairytale became a reality as the family’s beloved, well-worn “The Little Petra” easy chair was restored and sold at the Bruun Rasmussen anniversary auction at Bredgade on Thursday 8 December 2011.

The easy chair was bought 20 years ago from the Salvation Army charity shop for about DKK 100. At the time, the family was moving from a flat into a house and needed some extra furniture to fill the space. They fell for the plump, upholstered easy chair which has since been deployed virtually everywhere in the house – from the living room to the children’s bedrooms. At one time, it was lent to a nephew living in a hall of residence, but it later returned home to Amager.

Second-hand bargain at auction

Many times, the family had considered taking the chair to the local recycling centre, but this autumn, they read in Politiken newspaper that “The Little Petra” had now become quite a hit in the auction market. So they contacted Bruun Rasmussen with a view to selling. Head expert of modern design, Peter Kjelgaard, was able to confirm that the family were in possession of the coveted Viggo Boesen easy chair, “The Little Petra”, and recommended that they should have it restored by a professional upholsterer.

The result was there for all to see at the Bredgade auction. The family were on tenterhooks in the auction room and their faces lit up when the hammer fell at DKK 65,000 for their Little Petra! 

Facts

Viggo Boesen: “Den Lille Petra”. Easy chair with stained beech frame. Sides, seat and back upholstered with beige fabric, fitted with buttons. Designed 1938. Made by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen. This easy chair is one of a series of only approx. 30 ever produced. Estimate: DKK 40,000–50,000 Hammer price: DKK 65,000.