With magnificent buildings such as the Guggenheim Bilbao, Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the new Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Frank Gehry changed the nature and spirit of contemporary architecture. The architect has also enjoyed a prolific career as a designer of artful and functional objects, ranging from furniture to jewelry, that even at smaller scale are as lively and captivating as his architectural designs.
Gehry was born in Toronto and moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1947. He received a degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in 1954 and — after several years of casting about that included a stint in the U.S. Army and studies at Harvard — Gehry opened his architectural practice in L.A. in 1962.
Idiosyncratic renovations to his small, traditional house in Santa Monica — such as cladding portions of the exterior in chain-link fencing and corrugated metal — drew attention to Gehry in architectural circles. Corporate and institutional commissions added to his reputation, culminating in the global acclaim that greeted the opening of the Guggenheim Bilbao in 1997. But the combination of visual dynamism and structural integrity expressed by that building had been evident for decades in Gehry’s designs. In 1972 he introduced a much-admired line of furniture he called Easy Edges. The curves and flowing lines of the pieces, which include the Wiggle chair, seem antithetical to the material are made from: cardboard — a presumably flimsy material that, when stacked, laminated and folded, is actually extraordinarily sturdy.
Many of Gehry’s designs feature an abstracted fish motif. For the architect, it was a symbol of vitality, strength and flexibility. The fish appears in a group of 1982 plastic lamps created for Formica (and exhibited by the Jewish Museum in New York in 2010). Gehry used the motif in crystal goblets for Swid Powell (1990), his Pito kettle for Alessi (1992) and as earrings for a 2006 jewelry collection for Tiffany that also includes torqued rings, necklaces and bangles.
Gehry returned to furniture design in 1992 with a remarkably energetic line of furniture for Knoll with frames and seating made of bent, lightweight wooden strops. (The pieces' names, such as Power Play and Cross Check, derive from ice hockey.) In 2004, Heller released a group of twisted, faceted furnishings in molded polyethylene meant to evoke Gehry’s architecture. But — whether its tableware, jewelry or furniture — all Gehry’s designs do that--sharing an animated aesthetic built on a solid foundational core. To possess a piece of Gehry design is to own one of his buildings, in miniature.
Find vintage Frank Gehry chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
2000s Pair of Frank Gehry for Emeco Superlight Dining Chairs in Brushed Aluminum
By Frank Gehry
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Superlight Chairs, originally designed by Frank Gehry for Emeco in 2004. These examples were produced in the United States in the 2000s. They are composed of brushe...
Aluminum
Frank Gehry Knoll Int. Dinette Featuring 2 Cross Check Chairs and Dining Table
By Frank Gehry
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A Frank Gehry compact dining set featuring 2 bentwood maple ply Cross Check chairs matched to a maple and glass Face Off dining table manufactured by Knoll International. Originally designed in the late 80’s Gehry’s Cross Check chairs...
Glass, Beech
Set of four Frank Gehry Side Chairs in corrugated cardboard Vitra - USA 1972
By Frank Gehry, Vitra
Located in London, GB
Frank Gehry, the ‘gratuitously eccentric’ architect behind the Guggenheim Bilbao gained attention in the 1970s with his ‘Easy Edges’ furniture series (1969-73). Constructed in corrug...
Paper
Pair of Frank Gehry Side Chairs in corrugated cardboard Vitra - USA 1972
By Vitra, Frank Gehry
Located in London, GB
Frank Gehry, the ‘gratuitously eccentric’ architect behind the Guggenheim Bilbao gained attention in the 1970s with his ‘Easy Edges’ furniture series (1969-73). Constructed in corrug...
Paper
2000s Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Esperance, NY
Modern Living — In the 1950s, the Eames molded shell changed everything about what a chair could be–sculptural, practical, mass-produced. Now in recyclable polypropylene, this staple of modern living fits every body and any space. 2000s Eames Molded plastic side chair...
Metal
$4,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 104 in D 44 in
Mastercraft Burl and Brass Extendable Dining Table and Six Chairs
By William Doezema, Mastercraft, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1960s dining table and six chairs designed by William Doezema for Mastercraft retailed by Charak of Boston. Briar root burl veneer although frequently identified as Amboyna. ...
Brass
$1,460 / item
H 32.25 in W 16.5 in D 19.25 in
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair in Natural Oak and Japanese Red for Vitra
By Jean Prouvé, Vitra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean Prouvé Standard chair in Natural Oak and Japanese Red for Vitra. The Standard chair is an early masterpiece by the French designer and engineer Jean Prouvé. Originally designe...
Steel
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
$44,529 / set
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Africa Dining Room Set for Maxalto, 4 Chairs and Table, 1976
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
A dining set composed of four “Africa” dining chairs and an “Artona” table, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975. Made of walnut, burl...
Brass
$1,460 / item
H 32.25 in W 16.5 in D 19.25 in
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair in Natural Oak and Blue Metal for Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean Prouvé Standard chair in Natural Oak and Blue Metal for Vitra. The Standard chair is an early masterpiece by the French designer and engineer Jean Prouvé. Originally designed ...
Steel
Wiggle Side Chair by Frank Gehry for Vitra
Located in Hamburg, DE
Designed by renowned architect and designer Frank Gehry for Vitra, the Wiggle Side Chair is one of the most iconic pieces from the celebrated Easy Edges collection. Introduced in the...
Corrugated Cardboard
Frank Gehry "Easy Edges" Wiggle Side Chair for Vitra
By Frank Gehry
Located in Dronten, NL
An iconic Wiggle Side Chair designed by Frank Gehry as part of his groundbreaking Easy Edges collection, produced by Vitra. Originally conceived in the early 1970s, the Easy Edges se...
Other
$2,070 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.5 in D 23 in
1960s Cesca Cantilever Chairs by Marcel Breuer for Knoll Int., Set of 4
Located in San Gabriel, CA
Authentic vintage set of four Cesca cantilever dining chairs designed by Marcel Breuer and produced by Knoll International. One of the chairs retain original Knoll International pape...
Metal
Emeco 1006 Navy Chair in Brushed Aluminum by US Navy
By Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
First built for use on submarines in 1944, the Navy Chair has been in continuous Production ever since. With the famous 77 step Process, our craftsmen take ...
Aluminum
$2,285 / set
H 31.11 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Series 7 Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 2000s. Set of 4.
By Fritz Hansen, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Asaa, DK
Series 7 Chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 2000s. Set of 4. Arne Jacobsen stacking dining chairs Model 3107 with cognac leather removable upholstery. Model 3107 also know as...
Leather, Bentwood
$6,950 / set
H 33.5 in W 20 in D 22.5 in
Set of 4 Frank Gehry for Knoll "Hat Trick" Bentwood Dining Chairs, Smoked Gray
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll and produced in the United States in 1997, this exceptional set of four "Hat Trick" dining chairs represents one of the most important furniture designs of the late twentieth century. Part of the celebrated Gehry Collection, these sculptural chairs demonstrate the designer's groundbreaking exploration of bent laminated wood, transforming a humble material into a sophisticated work of functional art. The design is composed of gracefully curving maple ribbons that flow continuously from the legs through the seat and into the dramatic open backrest. The resulting form appears almost woven, creating a striking interplay of positive and negative space while maintaining exceptional strength and stability. Gehry's innovative approach challenged traditional assumptions about furniture construction, producing a chair that is at once architectural, sculptural, and remarkably comfortable. This set retains an uncommon smoked gray maple finish that beautifully accentuates the layered bentwood construction and fluid contours of the design. The finish highlights the natural grain of the maple veneers while lending the chairs a refined contemporary presence. Original production stamps, factory markings, and 1997 manufacturing dates remain present to the undersides, further confirming their authenticity and early production status. The Hat Trick chair is among the most recognizable and collectible designs from the Gehry Collection and is represented in important public and private collections worldwide. Equally suited for use as dining, conference, or accent seating, these chairs function as both practical furnishings and sculptural design statements. A rare opportunity to acquire a matching set of four early production Frank Gehry for Knoll Hat Trick...
Wood, Maple, Bentwood
Mid-Century “Hat Trick” Dining Room Chairs by Frank Gehry for Knoll
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century “Hat Trick” Dining Room Chairs by Frank Gehry for Knoll.
Bentwood
Set of 10 Frank Gehry "HIgh-Sticking" Chairs for Knoll
By Frank Gehry
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A really nice and large set of Frank Gehry's High Sticking dining chairs. This set in laminated maple. Very good original condition. Stamped with signature and date to base. ...
Maple
Hat Trick Chairs by Frank Gehry for Knoll
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1992. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item.
Wood
Sold
H 43.5 in W 18 in D 20 in
1990s Set of Four Frank Gehry for Knoll High Sticking Dining Side Chairs Maple
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of four High Sticking chairs designed by Frank Gehry and produced by Knoll. The chairs are marked and guaranteed as authen...
Maple
Sold
H 33.75 in W 20 in D 20.75 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Birch 6 Hat Trick Chairs by Frank Gehry - Knoll
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic set of 6 post Modern "Hat Trick Chairs" by Frank Gehry for Knoll. Created from Birch laminates chairs are steam bent in a ribbon like form which lends to a very organic typ...
Plastic, Birch, Plywood
Hat Trick Chairs by Frank Gehry for Knoll, Set of 4
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Inspired by the surprising strength of the apple crates he played on as a child, Frank Gehry created his thoroughly original collection of bentwood furniture. The ribbon-like designs transcend the conventions of style by exploring, as the great modernists did, the essential challenge of deriving form from function. Constructed of hard white maple veneer strips, laminated 6 to 9 thick with high-bonding urea glue Thermo-set assembly glue provides structural rigidity without the need for metal connectors...
Maple
Sold
H 34.26 in W 13.78 in D 24.02 in
Wiggle Chair and Coffee Table by Frank O. Gehry for Vitra from Easy Edges Series
By Vitra, Frank Gehry
Located in Osnabrück, NDS
Wiggle chair, designed by the famous Architect Frank O. Gehry 1972. From “Easy Edges ” Series. The main idea was design cheap furniture from a recyclea...
Paper
Pair of Frank Gehry for Knoll Maple Hat Trick Chairs
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic pair of maple plywood hat trick chairs designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll. Each beautiful chair is signed and dated on bottom. Constructed on 8-7...
Maple
Sold
H 33.5 in W 22.5 in D 22 in
Hat Trick Chairs by Frank Gehry for Knoll, Buy One, a Pair, or All Three, Signed
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in Kansas City, MO
Three Hat Trick chairs designed by Frank Gehry and manufactured by Knoll. Each is signed with the branded Frank Gehry and Knoll signature on the underside. Price is for each so pleas...
Maple
Set of 4 Frank Gehry for Knoll Hat Trick Dining Chairs
By Frank Gehry
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set of 4 Frank Gehry for Knoll Hat Trick dining chairs Inspired by observing apple crates as a child, the chairs are constructed of maple veneer str...
Maple
Frank Gehry 'Superlight' Aluminum Chairs
By Frank Gehry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of ultra modern designs, weighing as much as an iphone, sits comfortable as well, thin sheet of aluminum with tubular legs, great for a breakfast nook or pair with other m...
Aluminum
Six Frank Gehry Corrugated Cardboard Chairs
By Frank Gehry
Located in North Miami, FL
A rare and unusual set of Frank Gehry corrugated cardboard chairs. Possibly a prototype. Gehry is an iconic architect who applied his experienc...
Other