Harry Bertoia Furniture
American, Italian, 1915-1978
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.
Color: Gray
Creator: Harry Bertoia
Midcentury Chrome Bar Stools by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid century classic and iconic Bertoia for Knoll stools in a high chrome finish. Architectural design, clean original condition, ready to use. Very solid and sturdy showing no loss t...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Harry Bertoia Mid-Century Modern Vintage Set of Four White Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Vienna, AT
A Harry Bertoia Mid-Century Modern vintage set of 4 dining chair or side chair, which show a white coated metal construction.
This iconic design by Harry Bertoia was designed in the...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of Four Harry Bertoia Designed Child Chairs for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here are four Harry Bertoia designed child chair for Knoll.
First designed in 1950. All are white.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of 6 Harry Bertoia Bar Stools for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Set of 6 bar stools by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. A beautiful and classic design by one of the most notable Mid Century designer and artist. Each one retains its original white powder ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Bird Lounge Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Izegem, VWV
1970s production Bird Chair in black by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. New rubber shockmounts were provided.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Childs Size Wire Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A staple design from famous designer Harry Bertoia for Knoll. A child’s Size wire side chair. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Your kid will definitely have the coolest chair on the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia (American, 1915 - 1978) Diamond Chair for Knoll (designed 1952) in white with black base and one seat cushion (black). 30" H x 34" W x 25" D; seat he...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Two 1960s "421" Diamond Chairs By Harry Bertoia For Knoll International
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
An early pair of 1960s "421" Diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, in white with contrasting black legs.
Harry Bertoia's finest achievement, the striking 421 ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Red Wire Diamond Lounge Patio Chair by Harry Bertoia Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic diamond chair designed by Harry Bertoia and produced by Knoll. This chair features a red factory powder coat. Always used indoors but could be used as a patio chair.
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Wire
Custom Powder Coated Green Harry Bertoia Diamond Chairs for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Harry Bertioa for Knoll diamond chairs recently restored and powder coated in a lively apple g green .
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
6 Bertoia for Knoll White Metal "Diamond" Chairs
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Harry Bertoia (Italian/American, 1915-1978) for Knoll "Diamond" chair in newly powder coated white metal with an authentic yellow or grey exterior seat cushions. Design circa 1952.
...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of Midcentury White Knoll Bertoia Side Chairs, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Almelo, NL
This pair of Bertoia side chair is composed of delicate steel rods that have been precisely interwoven and welded to create airy, sculptural seats. Despite their delicate filigreed a...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of Custom Diamond Bertoia Chairs for Knoll American Mid Century
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in San Diego, CA
Great and rare pair of Harry Bertoia diamond chairs, with original seat pads and original chrome bases, we have the tops sandblasted and powder coated in green, they look great with ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Four White Harry Bertoia "Diamond Chairs" Produced by Knoll, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Almelo, NL
A set of four of 1960s "421" Diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, in white with contrasting black legs.
More information about the designer:
Harry Bertoia's finest achieve...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Harry Bertoia Two Column Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
An atypical form for Beartoia's (1915-1978) sonambients given it's split in the centre of the rods. A desirable size for display in the home and a typically wonderful sound quality.
Category
1960s American Industrial Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Large Chrome Diamond Chair
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Ferndale, MI
Harry Bertoias concept of woven welded steel wire was to present a chair appearing lighter than air. This is the large diamond chair from his wire ser...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Set of matching Bertoia side, or dining, chairs in chrome with original white pad seat covers. This nice set is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition, the only cav...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1970’s Wire Knoll Bertoia Side Chairs - a Pair
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Charleston, SC
The white wire Bertoia side chair is one of the greatest classic mid-century modern chairs around. And this set of two has royal blue seat pads to boot! However, if you don’t like th...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
1960s "421" Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
An early 1960s "421" Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. Two are available.
Harry Bertoia's striking 421 chair is welded from steel rods and coated in Rilsan p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of White Harry Bertoia "Diamond Chairs" Produced by Knoll, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of two "Diamond Chairs" designed by Harry Bertoia and produced by Knoll in the late 1950s. In good vintage and original condition with signs from age and use. Both chairs ar...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Harry Bertoia 'Diamond' Armchair in Chromed Metal
By Harry Bertoia
Located in London, GB
Harry Bertoia 'Diamond' armchair in chromed metal, circa 1970s.
Dimensions: H85 x W83 x D62 cm.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
1 Knoll Bertoia Early Version Diamond Lounge Chair
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Pasadena, TX
Harry Bertoia
Italian artist and furniture designer, Harry Bertoia`s career began in the 1930s as a student at the Cranbrook Academy of Art where he re-established the metal-working studio and, taught as head of the department, from 1939 until 1943 until it was closed due to wartime restrictions on materials. Bertoia designed the patented Diamond chair for Knoll in 1952.
Knoll Bertoia diamond lounge...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Knoll Bertoia Bar Stool with Beautiful Original Cushion, 1970
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Knoll Bertoia bar stool with beautiful original cushion, 1970
The Bertoia side chair is available with a seat cushion. The frame is a welded steel ...
Category
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Bertoia Childs Chair for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Classic midcentury child's chair designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. This example is circa 1960s, it is in good condition, showing only expected cosmetic wear, normal and consistent...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Bertoia for Knoll Stool
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Classic Bertoia design counter stool manufactured by Knoll International, circa 1950s-1960s. This example is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
1955, Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, Wide, Large, Chrome, Diamond Chair
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Red Cushion and Steel Diamond Armchair by Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in MIlano, IT
USA mid-century Red cushion and steel Diamond armchair by Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s.
Diamond armchair with structure in welded steel rods with polished chrome plating. The red cushio...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Child Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Wonderful set of child sized side chairs designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Set was painted light blue at one point and have a wonderful patina. Pictured with Herman Miller fiberglass armchair...
Category
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
USA Mid-Century Red Cushion N Steel Diamond Armchairs by Bertoia for Knoll, 1970
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in MIlano, IT
USA mid-century Red cushion and steel Diamond armchairs by Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s.
Set of four Diamond armchairs with structure in welded steel rods with polished chrome plating. ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
1952, Harrie Bertoia for Knoll International a Set of Wire Dining Chairs
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Brussels, BE
Diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 6 available
Sold par piece 1200€.
Category
1970s European Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Very Rare Harry Bertoia Monoprint on Rice Paper
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Munich, DE
Purchased at la modern around 20 years ago. It´s the size of the work - not the frame.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Early Bertoia Wide Diamond Chairs
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in East Hampton, NY
The wide diamond is the largest of the Bertoia seating group and like the bird chair, has shock mounts between the seat and the base which offers an additional measure of comfort. This vintage chair...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Val Bertoia Corner Sound Sculpture, 2008
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's Corner Sound Sculpture made in 2008 is part of the Bertoia Sonambient series. It's made of 11 copper tops silvered to monel rods then silvered to a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
Vintage Pair of White Bertoia Side Chairs with Alligator Cushions
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury white powder-coated steel side chairs by Bertoia, with alligator cushions.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Harry Bertoia, Knoll International Large Chrome Bird Chair, Purple Cushion, 1952
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-)
Bird chair in chrome with a purple cushion...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Chrome
1952, Harrie Bertoia, Diamond Chair 421, Black & White with Black Vinyl Cushion
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Original Harry Bertoia Sculpture "SPRAWLING BRONZE"
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Original "Sprawling Bronze" by Harry Bertoia (1915-1978).
Rare molten bronze spill cast with three feet to make it free-standing. Green patina adds to the organic feel of the sculp...
Category
Late 20th Century American Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Harry Bertoia "Six Branches" Stainless Steel Sculpture, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
"Six branches" sculpture, with stainless steel wires silvered together in two clusters per "branch" onto stems of stainless steel, by Harry Bertoia, American 1960s. This sculpture co...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Val Bertoia Double Vertical Spray Sculpture, Steel Wires with Brass Base, 2014
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's Double Vertical Spray Sculpture made in 2014. This Kinetic sculpture was made by cutting one grouping of stainless-steel wires that were made by Har...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Classic Knoll Bertoia a Wire Mesh Side Chair, Early Custom Knoll Fabric Cushion
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Vintage Modern Industrial HARRY BERTOIA Wire side chair white 1952
Dimensions: 29.5 x 22.25 D x 18 W
Amazing original condition, cust...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Bertoia child's chairs by Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
The classic Bertoia wire chair was produced in the standard size for adults, but also in two smaller sizes for children. This pair is the larger of the two kid's sizes. They were often marketed with the Noguchi cyclone side table as a diminutive version of the dinette set to be used as a child's activity table...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture
Materials
Steel
Harry Bertoia furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Harry Bertoia furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Harry Bertoia furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 188 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Harry Bertoia were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Charles Eames, Michael Taylor, and Warren Platner. Prices for Harry Bertoia furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $325 and can go as high as $450,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,930.
Creators Similar to Harry Bertoia
Questions About Harry Bertoia Furniture
- When was the Diamond Chair made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Italian-American designer Harry Bertoia made the Diamond chair in 1952, and his design went into production in 1983. The original chair featured a woven steel wire back with angled wings resting on angled wire legs. Find a collection of Harry Bertoia Diamond chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not a Harry Bertoia chair is comfortable really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but there are a lot of positive reviews pertaining to how comfortable the Italian-born American designer’s seating is. Among furniture aficionados he is known for the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952. Shop a selection of Bertoia chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
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