MR Black Leather Side Chairs for Knoll International, 1979 Year of Production
View Similar Items
MR Black Leather Side Chairs for Knoll International, 1979 Year of Production
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Manufacturer),Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 19.25 in (48.9 cm)Depth: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1979
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In excellent condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU133025471703
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Architect, furniture designer and educator, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a central figure in the advancement and promotion of modernist design and architectural theory and practice. Like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, he was a hugely influential presence in the field, who shaped the course of 20th-century architecture both through his buildings and his teaching of rationalist design principles.
Born in the medieval German city of Aachen, Mies found an interest in architecture as a boy while working for his father, a master stonemason. He had no formal education as an architect, but learned his skills as an apprentice to the designer Bruno Paul, and as a staffer in the office the proto-modernist architect and designer Peter Behrens. Following World War I, Mies rose to prominence in his field amid the liberal atmosphere of the Weimar Republic. His reputation was secured by his work on the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona (commonly referred to as the Barcelona Pavilion) — which Mies codesigned with Lilly Reich, his creative and romantic partner — a radically simple, poetic, open-plan building pared down to its architectural essentials. Mies would go on to direct the Bauhaus from 1930 until 1933, when Nazi-government interference forced the closure of the progressive art and design school. Later that decade, he made his way to Chicago, where he remained for the rest of his career as a practicing architect and a dean of the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Mies’s famed dictum “less is more” grew from his belief that architecture both guides and expresses the spirit of the times, and he envisioned the 20th century as open-minded, logical, transparent and liberated by technology. His best-known buildings — residences such as the Villa Tugendhat in Czechoslovakia and the Farnsworth House in rural Illinois; skyscrapers like the 860–880 Lake Shore Drive apartment towers in Chicago and the Seagram Building in New York — reflect that philosophy. As do the most famous furniture designs authored by him or codesigned with Reich.
Pieces designed by Mies and Reich such as the Barcelona chair (the authorized version is produced by Knoll today), stools and daybed, or the cantilevered Brno chairs, deliver a maximum of comfort and support from a minimum of materials: their “lavishness” derives from the precision with which they are engineered and constructed. For the collector, the allure of Mies’s furniture is at once practical and idealistic. Useful and functional, his works embody the highest aspirations of modernism.
Find vintage Mies van der Rohe chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Knoll
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
- Robert Venturi 'Queen Anne' Chair for Knoll International, C. 1985, SignedBy Robert Venturi, Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott BrownLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis rare and sought after set of four (4) collectors pieces are called the 'Queen Anne' chairs by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 and feature a faux olive burl design with tan leather seats. Post-Modern functional art ready to be used as stand-alone collectible sculptures or as chairs. Signed underneath three chairs with Knoll International labels. Please note, the color amongst the 4 chairs are consistent however due to the studio lighting they appear slightly different from chair to chair, this is simply due to the angle and position of the studio photography lights...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLaminate, Plywood
$24,900 Sale Price / set22% Off - Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Chairs, Signed, Set of TwelveBy Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll, Massimo VignelliLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$4,000 Sale Price / set33% Off - Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Stacking Chairs, Signed, 20 AvailBy Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll, Massimo VignelliLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$360 Sale Price / item34% Off - Barcelona Daybed by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll International, 1960s, SignedBy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis iconic and authentic (both the leather cushion and the Mahogany frame is signed with Knoll International labels) daybed is the 'Barcelona Daybed' also referred to as the 'Barcelona Couch' by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International and is considered an 'early original production collectors example' as it is from Knoll's earlier years of producing this design in the 1960s and 1970s before they changed to different manufacturing processes during the 1980s. This example is signed with a Knoll International label that has the 320 Park Ave address and is dated on the back of the label July 9, 1975. To determine the estimated production year we note that the date most likely corresponds to the retailer or possibly the Knoll sold/ ship date. The address of 320 Park Ave changed to Fifth Ave in 1970 and Knoll Associates did not become Knoll International until 1968. Therefore we would pinpoint the production year to be between 1968 and 1970. It is possible that it was slightly after 1970 that this example was produced as it is believed that Knoll continued to use labels with the older 320 Park Ave for several months to a couple years after changing addresses, however generally speaking 1970s examples will be labelled with their Fifth Ave address. All construction details also indicate a 1st-Generation 'original' production by Knoll as their production did not change throughout the Knoll Associates years and through the first half of the Knoll International years. This rare original 1st-Generation 'Barcelona Daybed' features its original brown leather upholstery with subtle patina and wear throughout. These traces of age and use bring more vibrancy to the leather, giving this piece an on-trend lightly distressed look. The original bolster pillow in matching brown leather is secured to the cushion and platform via straps and lock snaps. The platform is crafted from stained Mahogany and supported by polished tubular stainless steel legs and the original leather straps are all in-tact. Both the cushion is labelled and the platform frame as well with a partial Knoll International sticker label as can be seen in the photo gallery. Considered to be the epitome of modern design, Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich originally designed the Barcelona chair in 1929 to serve as seating for the king and queen of Spain in the German Pavilion. This was Germany's entry for the International Exhibition, hosted by Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Designed in 1930 the Barcelona daybed (also referred to as the Barcelona Couch) emanates this seminal design, paralleling the same simplicity and elegance of the iconic Barcelona chair. This Barcelona couch by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International is ideal for a living room, family room, study, den or lounge. It would also be an Apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique hotel lobby, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, executive office or in a retail boutique...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsStainless Steel
$12,700 Sale Price25% Off - Sergio Rodrigues for Oca Jacaranda & Leather Cantu Chairs, c 1959 Brazil, SignedBy Sergio Rodrigues, OCA BrazilLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn important set of six (6) Jacaranda Rosewood 'Cantu' dining chairs by Sergio Rodrigues for Oca Arquitetura e Interiores in original leather, signed with labels and Brazilian tax st...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsGranite
$28,600 Sale Price / set24% Off - 'Petal' Coffee Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll International, 1960By Knoll, Richard SchultzLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis early production 'Petal' coffee table by Richard Schultz for Knoll International, designed in 1960, is a favorite amongst Mid-Century Modern collectors and enthusiasts. Schultz ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
$3,120 Sale Price20% Off
- Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International MR chair 256cs, Black Leather, 1980s.By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in Brooklyn, NYMies van der Rohe for Knoll International MR chair 256cs, Black Leather, 1980’s. The MR Collection represents some of the earliest steel furniture designs by Mies van der Rohe. The ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Mies Van Der Rohe Leather MR10 Chair for Knoll, 1970By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in Chicago, ILMies van der Rohe leather MR10 chair for Knoll, 1970. Original leather.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Mies Van Der Rohe MR10 Knoll International Leather Side Chair Dining CantileverBy Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in Berlin, BEBeautiful MR10 side chairs by Knoll International in thick leather with chrome tubular frames that are cantilevered. Chrome + leather are in excellent vintage condition. Chairs a...Category
Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Side Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll International Brno Chairs Steel & LeatherBy Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned in the 1930s by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this pair of BRNO chairs were made by Knoll. They feature a handosme chromed tubular steel frame and a cantilever design that makes...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- 4 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Mr10 Dining Chairs 1960s Knoll InternationalBy Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in London, GBComplete set of four chrome cantilever MR10 chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in brown leather. This set of chairs is an early 1960s example of his famous design produced by Knoll International. The MR10 chair was first designed in the 1920s, and this set of four features the chrome springs on the backs and seats. Later the design was improved, with a shortening of the springs and a reversion to an elastic corset cord. The chairs still bear the oval sticker marks on the back of the bottom of the seats. MR10 chairs are really comfortable, and are a real design Classic, as seen in many films and other media. Our MR10 chairs recently have been used to decorate the interior of a restaurant in London, which was featured in Architectural Digest, Dezeen, Elle Decoration, and many other publications (as shown in the images, which are property of Child Studio...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
$4,060 Sale Price / set20% Off - Black Eero Saarinen Series 71 Armless Chair for Knoll InternationalBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineOriginal Eero Saarinen executive armless side or dining chair in black wool fabric with chrome legs. Original fabric and foam in very good condition.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsChrome