Original Vintage Bertoia Side Chair in Black

View Similar Items

1960s "421" Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International

Harry Bertoia for Knoll Outdoor 'Side Chair' in Black Coated Steel

Harry Bertoia for Knoll Pair of Outdoor 'Side Chairs' in Black Coated Steel

Set of 10 Side chairs and 2 arm chairs in Silver Genuine Tolix

Outdoor Painted Iron Side Chairs

Suelo Modern Outdoor Side Chair

Faux Bamboo Metal Side Chair

Rustic Continental Tree Trunk Side Chairs

Set Of Four French Aluminum Side Chairs

French Provincial Country Rustic Style Side Chair

Set of Four Outdoor American Victorian Side Chairs

Vintage French Cast Iron Chair

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Original Vintage Bertoia Side Chair in Black

About the Item

In the design world, Harry Bertoia’s name is synonymous with his line of wire chairs made for Knoll in the 1950s, not just because those chairs are so famous, but also because he is not formally credited with making much else. Let's take a look at Harry Bertoia and how his sculptural experimentations with industrial materials yielded an important body of work both for himself and for Charles and Ray Eames. Bertoia (image 2) was born in Italy in 1915, and moved to the US when he was 15. He studied art and design in high school and college and finally, in 1937, won a scholarship to Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he met Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and Walter Gropius. Bertoia was heading the metal workshop by 1939. But World War II had made metal scarce and expensive, and Cranbrook suspended his workshop in 1943. World War II demanded that designers apply their talents to the war effort. Bertoia and the Eameses moved to California to work on equipment for military application. After the war, they applied their developments in military plywood and plastics to domestic furniture. Working for the Eameses by day, Bertoia took welding classes at night. It is commonly accepted that he designed the metal base of the Eames’ famous DCM and LCM chairs (image 3). Frustrated that he wasn’t getting credit for his designs, and ready to work more exclusively with metal, Bertoia left the Eames studio in 1946 and began making sculpture. In 1950 he moved to Pennsylvania and began a professional relationship with Hans and Florence Knoll, who produced his only collection of furniture in 1952.

Attributed to:
Harry Bertoia (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 20.75 in (52.71 cm)Depth: 22.75 in (57.79 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Steel
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
20th century
Condition:
Original. Please note chipped paint.
Seller Location:
Chicago, IL
Reference Number:
Seller: cplf021stDibs: U12071082433648