- Designed By - Marcel Breuer
- When -
1925
- Made From - Bars
of chrome plated tubular steel and strips of black leather
- Manufactured By - Thonet
- More Info - This
is the best and most well-known example of Breuer’s revolutionary tubular steel
furniture. It is a re-working of the traditional club chair so it was
originally called the B3 Club Chair but then later become known as the Wassily
chair after the Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky gave the design his approval.
It was the first ever chair to have a bent steel frame and was inspired by the
curved tubular steel handle bars on Breuer’s ‘Adler’ bicycle. The prototypes
were produced with the help of a plumber to do the welding. He had to use steel
tubes that did not have a seam so that they did not break when bent. The strips
of fabric are carefully arranged so the body never comes into contact with the
cold metal. Breuer said ‘when I saw the completion of my steel chair, I thought
that of all my works, this would attract the most criticism. It is the most
extreme in its outward appearance and material expression; it is the least
artistic, the most logical, the most ‘liveable’, the most machine-like. What
happened was the opposite of what I expected’. It is now one of the most famous 20th century chairs and
is a modernistic icon. The Wassily Chair is a timeless design and is still in
production now. It looks functional and stylish and is often seen in offices
and showrooms.
- Designed By - Frank Lloyd Wright
- When - 1921
- Made From - Oak
frame and oil cloth upholstery
- Manufactured By - An unknown Japanese Company
- More Info - Designed
for the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo which Lloyd Wright was the architect for. The
hexagon shapes on this chair are also seen on the ceilings, walls and even a
coffee set also designed by Lloyd Wright for the building. The Hotel was
demolished in 1968.
- Designed By - Nanna Ditzel
- When - 1959
- Made From - Lacquered
steel frame, stainless steel chain, woven wicker and a fabric covered foam
cushion
- Manufactured By - Pierantonio Bonacina
- More Info - Sometimes
known as just the Hanging Chair, this iconic chair was designed for Italian
furniture makers Pierantonio Bonacina. The chair is now
available in a man-made fibre making it suitable for outdoor use. There are
also ones that have a steel stand rather than being attached to the ceiling.
The seat cushion is available in six colours.
- Designed By - Philippe Starck
- When - 1988
- Made From -
Polypropylene and epoxipolyester powder coated steel
- Manufactured By - Kartell
- More Info - The
contrast between styles and thickness on the front and back of this chair that
is it’s defining feature. This chair is stackable and can be used indoors and
outdoors. It sis available in black or silver. There is also a bar stool
version: the Hi-Glob.
- Designed By - Gerrit Rietveld
- When -
1934
- Made From - Elmwood
- Manufactured By - Utrecht, then Cassina from 1971
- More Info - Rietveld
wanted to make a chair from one piece of material but this wasn’t possible at
the time so the chair had to be made from four pieces. It is not particularly
comfortable but it’s simplicity and beauty are what make it a great chair.
Later examples were painted white with green or red edges. The back is joined
to the seat with a dovetail joint. It is included in the permanent collection
of the Museum of Modern Art. It is available in natural ash or cherry wood as
well as stained in red, blue, yellow, white and black.
