How can I spot an original Wassily chair?

One way to spot an original Wassily chair is to look at the tubular steel frame. There will be no weld in the corners. The frame of an authentic Wassily chair is a single continuous piece of chromed tubular steel, with no cap on the end. Each original Wassily chair should feel lightweight but robust. It's a well-made chair and will feel like one. The material used for the seat and backrest, which was initially durable canvas — Knoll's Wassily chairs are available with leather slings — should feel equally substantial even if it's a vintage model. Lastly, the price of a real Wassily chair will also reflect the fact that this is a collectible design.

Inspired by bicycle handlebars, the Wassily lounge chair is one of Marcel Breuer's (1902–81) greatest achievements. Even though the tubular metal chair looked like an artifact from the future when the Hungarian-American designer and architect conceived it in 1925, Breuer could not have foreseen the significant impact that this would have on modern design.

Find original Wassily chairs for sale on 1stDibs.