Sculptor, furniture and jewelry designer, graphic artist and metalsmith, Harry Bertoia was one of the great cross-disciplinarians of 20th-century art and design and a central figure in American mid-century modernism. Among furniture aficionados, Bertoia is known for his chairs such as the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952.
As an artist, he is revered for a style that was his alone. Bertoia’s metal sculptures are by turns expressive and austere, powerful and subtle, intimate in scale and monumental. All embody a tension between the intricacy and precision of Bertoia’s forms and the raw strength of his materials: steel, brass, bronze and copper.
Fortune seemed to guide Bertoia’s artistic development. Born in northeastern Italy, Bertoia immigrated to the United States at age 15, joining an older brother in Detroit. He studied drawing and metalworking in the gifted student program at Cass Technical High School. Recognition led to awards that culminated, in 1937, in a teaching scholarship to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Bloomfield Hills, one of the great crucibles of modernism in America.
At Cranbrook, Bertoia made friendships — with architect Eero Saarinen, designers Charles and Ray Eames and Florence Schust Knoll and others — that shaped the course of his life. He taught metalworking at the school, and when materials rationing during World War II limited the availability of metals, Bertoia focused on jewelry design. He also experimented with monotype printmaking, and 19 of his earliest efforts were bought by the Guggenheim Museum.
In 1943, he left Cranbrook to work in California with the Eameses, helping them develop their now-famed plywood furniture. (Bertoia received scant credit.) Late in that decade, Florence and Hans Knoll persuaded him to move east and join Knoll Inc. His chairs became and remain perennial bestsellers. Royalties allowed Bertoia to devote himself full-time to metal sculpture, a medium he began to explore in earnest in 1947.
By the early 1950s Bertoia was receiving commissions for large-scale works from architects — the first came via Saarinen — as he refined his aesthetic vocabulary into two distinct skeins. One comprises his “sounding sculptures” — gongs and “Sonambient” groupings of rods that strike together and chime when touched by hand or by the wind. The other genre encompasses Bertoia’s naturalistic works: abstract sculptures that suggest bushes, flower petals, leaves, dandelions or sprays of grass.
As you will see on these pages, Harry Bertoia was truly unique; his art and designs manifest a wholly singular combination of delicacy and strength.
Find vintage Harry Bertoia sculptures, armchairs, benches and other furniture and art on 1stDibs.
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. The artwork is 103 x 16 x 16 inches and weighs less than 50 lbs. Bert...
Metal
Brutalist Abstract Nail Sculpture in the Style of Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Brutalist Abstract Nail sculpture comprised of hundreds of hand welded flat nails with a rusticated patina. Would be great as a fireplace scree...
Steel
Willow Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Willow Sculpture" is an abstract Post War stainless steel sculpture by Harry Bertoia in c. 1970-79. The artwork is 61 1/2 x 39 x 39 in. Betroia's work creates a dynamic, flowing c...
Stainless Steel
Untitled (Suspended Willow)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A sculpture by Harry Bertoia. "Untitled (Suspended Willow)" is an abstract, steel and steel wire sculpture by Post War artist Harry Bertoia. The willow form is one of Harry Bertoia's...
Steel, Wire
Spray
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Harry Bertoia Spray 1979 (year completed) Steel wire, bronze 37 h x 13 dia in. Sold with a certificate of authenticity from the Harry Bertoia Foundation and a...
Bronze, Steel
"Spray"
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A sculptor of kinetic objects, many of them with mazes of thin rods that appear brush like, Harry Bertoia was born in San Lorenzo, Italy, and came to America in 1930. In 1936, he stu...
Steel
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture) - Post War Copper & Bronze, c. 1970
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. This artwork is 103 x 16 x 16 inches and weighs less than 50 lbs. Ber...
Metal, Bronze, Copper
Harry Bertoia Melt Pressed Bronze Figural Sculpture, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
A figurative vertical form with two protrusions on top constructed of melt pressed bronze (heated numerous times, squeezed, and shaped. Includes provenance and hand-signed COA from t...
Bronze
$5,000
H 46 in W 45 in D 3 in
Sujoon Sky - Blue Abstract Sculptural Original Three-Dimensional Wall Art
By Atticus Adams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Atticus Adams' organically composed modern metal sculptures embody the transformative power of art, illustrating the creation of beauty, meaning, and emotional impact from industrial...
Metal, Wire
Gold Medallion, Abstract Face 11/20
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Santa Monica, CA
(after) PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) Tête en forme d'horloge 2 1/16 in (5.2 cm) (diameter) (Conceived in 1956 and executed in gold by François & Pierre Hugo in a numbered edition of...
Gold
Bronze Table I
By Gary Magakis 1
Located in Dallas, TX
Bronze & Steel Table
Bronze, Steel
$5,904
H 28.75 in Dm 13.39 in
Close to Heart 1 & 2 - Wood sculpture by Zlata Kornilova
By Zlata Kornilova
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Close to Heart 1 & 2 Limited edition of 12 (each sculpture) Dimensions: - Close to heart 1 (black): H. 73. x D. 34 cm - Close to heart 2 (natural): H. 82. x D. 22 cm Medi...
Steel
$58,000
H 118 in W 59 in D 27.5 in
Projection II - Abstract Stainless Steel Outdoor Sculpture, Contemporary Art
By Claude Millette
Located in Bloomfield, ON
As an acclaimed Quebec sculptor, Claude Millette is well known for his public artwork. Projection II is a fine example of Millette’s mastery in forging steel, his preferred material ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$6,700
H 44 in W 66 in D 4 in
Combahee Verde Lagoon - Large Sculptural Abstract Three-Dimensional Wall Artwork
By Atticus Adams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Atticus Adams' organically composed modern metal sculptures embody the transformative power of art, illustrating how beauty, meaning, and emotional impact can be created from industr...
Wire
$500
H 12 in W 16 in D 3 in
Ivory Gold Mixed Media Sculpture, Abstract Design, 12x16 Inches, 2010+
By Kristina Fjellman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kristina Fjellman, a Minnesota-based visual artist and performer, seamlessly blends sculpture and performance art in her captivating work. With exhib...
Steel, Wire
$2,300
H 85 in W 32 in D 32 in
Double Spinner Lg - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
$690
H 19 in W 15 in D 5 in
Garden Party Mixed Media Sculpture, Abstract Steel and Fabric, 2010-
By Kristina Fjellman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kristina Fjellman, a Minnesota-based visual artist and performer, seamlessly blends sculpture and performance art in her captivating work. With exhib...
Steel, Wire
$1,028
H 8.86 in W 7.68 in D 3.15 in
White Balloons and Floating Figure, Surreal Mixed Media Wall Diorama, 2021
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
White balloon forms lift a miniature figure through a pale blue sky in this mixed media wall diorama by Italian artist Vera Vizzi. The figure wears red and hangs beneath fine wires, ...
Wire
$50,611
H 91.74 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Viga 1 by Tom Price - Abstract sculpture, wood, resin, synthetic, mineral, life
By Tom Price
Located in Paris, FR
Viga 1 is a sculpture by contemporary artist Tom Price. This sculpture is made of resin, tar, steel, wood, dimensions are 233 × 45 × 45 cm (91.7 × 17.7 × 17.7 in). The indicated dime...
Steel
$115,000
H 61 in W 61 in D 42 in
A Cappella - large, contemporary, abstract, bronze and steel outdoor sculpture
By David Chamberlain
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This lyrical and elegant contemporary sculpture is by David Chamberlain whose work is collected and admired around the world. Hand forged in patinated bronze and steel, the flowing c...
Bronze, Steel
$3,750
H 37 in W 17 in D 4 in
Tranquility, Abstract Art, Original Glass and Metal Wall Sculpture
By Karo Martirosyan
Located in Granada Hills, CA
Artist: Karo Martirosyan, Work: Original Artwork, Medium: Glass and Metal Wall Sculpture, Year: 2022 Style: Contemporary Art, Subject: Tranquility, Size: 37" x 17" x 4'' inch...
Metal
$1,142
H 7.29 in W 11.82 in D 3.35 in
Floating Pink Doughnuts, Surreal Mixed Media Wall Diorama, 2021
By Vera Vizzi
Located in FISTERRA, ES
Two oversized pink doughnuts float above miniature figures in this surreal wall diorama by Italian artist Vera Vizzi. The blue interior of the wooden box becomes a small theatrical s...
Clay, Foam, Wood, Acrylic
$6,900
H 202 in W 70 in D 70 in
Double Helix Sail Huge - Wind Kinetic Sculpture, Copper and Steel
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The uniquely magical kinetic sculptures of American artist Lyman Whitaker translate an unseen force of nature-the wind into a visible, graceful and mesmerizing dance. As a master in...
Copper, Steel
Sonambient
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Italian-born American artist Harry Bertoia (1915-1978), is a noted sculptor and modern furniture designer. He is arguably one of the most successful creative forces hired by Florence...
Brass, Copper
Untitled (SoundingSculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. This artwork is 56.25 x 10 x 10 inches and weighs 45 lbs. Bertoia was...
Metal
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract metal sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970s. This artwork is 77 x 11 x 11 inches and weighs 47 lbs. Bertoia was e...
Metal
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract sculpture created by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. This artwork is 48 x 15.75 x 8 inches and weighs 45 lbs. Bertoia was enthra...
Metal
Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Untitled (Sounding Sculpture)" is a Post-War abstract sculpture by Harry Bertoia in circa 1970. The artwork is 40.5 x 8 x 8 inches and weighs 15 lbs. Bertoia was enthralled by mus...
Stainless Steel