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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.

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Period: 1960s
Creator: Harry Bertoia
Vintage Ergonomic Harry Bertoia Lounge Bird Chair for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original Vintage Harry Bertoia Bird chair for Knoll 1960s with an original Knoll fabric flame red slip cover on a metal white and black coated frame.The High Wingback chair is in ori...
Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal, Wire

Set of 6 Bertoia Wire Chairs with Original Yellow Cushions by Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of six newly restored wite Bertoia wire chairs model 420-2 produced by Knoll circa 1961 including original yellow Knoll seat cushions. These chairs have been freshly powder coate...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Unique Welded Bronze Sculpture Rare Figurative Form Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Atlanta, GA
A unique bronze sculpture circa 1960s by Harry Bertoia (1915-1978), the celebrated Italian-born American artist, sculptor, and designer. The welded and patinated bronze sculpture is ...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Harry Bertoia 2 Chairs
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Lucca, IT
Harry Bertoia 2 chairs 1960 .This type of chair by architect Harry Bertoia is an icon of dedign.These two chairs are original and intact .They are suitable for any type of environmen...
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1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metallic Thread

Harry Bertoia “Big Diamond” Chair for Knoll International, USA 1960
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An impressive lounge chair designed by Harry Bertoia, manufactured by Knoll International in the USA around 1970. This iconic piece is named the “Big Diamond”, after the bent diamon...
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1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Bird Chair + Ottoman by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Wire frame, good for indoor or outdoor use.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Harry Bertoia: Untitled, Framed Monotype on Rice Paper, United States 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Harry Bertoia (1915 - 1978) Untitled A striking monotype on rice paper by Harry Bertoia, in ochres, rusts, and greens. Professionally framed and matted. 1960's. Signed "HB" on...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia monoprint
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
After an intense day of casting and welding mid-century artist Harry Bertoia (American, born Italian. 1915-1978) would unwind by creating one-of-a-kind prints, laying rice paper on a...
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1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia monoprint
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
After an intense day of casting and welding mid-century artist Harry Bertoia (American, born Italian. 1915-1978) would unwind by creating one-of-a-kind prints, laying rice paper on a...
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1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Early Set of Four Harry Bertoia Molded Shell Side Chairs for Knoll, Labeled
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Set of four molded shell side chairs designed by Harry Bertoia and manufactured by Knoll. Originally debuted in 1960, this very early set is from 1963 and...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid Century Modern Bertoia Large Diamond Chairs
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Tulsa, OK
Pair of Mid Century Modern Bertoia Large Diamond Chairs Sold individually at $1738 each. Above average vintage condition and structurally...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern Bertoia Large White Wire Diamond Chairs
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Modern Bertoia Large White Wire Diamond Chairs Good vintage condition and structurally sound. Some discoloration on the white white looks to ...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Large Knoll Diamond Bertoia Lounge - Single
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Raleigh, NC
1960’s Large Knoll Diamond bertoia lounge designed by Harry Bertoia. Very comfy with rubber pads allowing this lounge to flex for comfort. Bertoia ...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Set of 4 Diamond chairs, Harry Bertoia, Knoll International
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Diamond Chair is an astounding study in space, form and function by one of the master sculptors of the last century. Like Saarinen and Mies, Bertoia found sublime grace in an ind...
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1960s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Harry Bertoia Baby Size Child Chairs - a Pair
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage pair of wire child chairs designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. This iconic chair was originally issued in three sizes. As the smallest size was never reissued, the miniatures...
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Harry Bertoia for Knoll ”BIRD” Chair
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Harry Bertoia Bird Frame or High Back Diamond. Black metal frame with 4 rubber bushings that let that chair rock slightly. Newer Knoll cover in the last 10-15 years. Cover is very...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

1960s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Large Diamond Chairs w/ Original White Covers
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare pair of large diamond lounge chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia and produced by knoll circa mid 1960s. These are notable in that they retain their original 320 park ave...
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1960s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Harry Bertoia for Knoll Vintage Bird Lounge Chair
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Saint Louis, US
Harry Bertoia for Knoll International bird chair. This iconic lounge chair and ottoman were originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952 and manufactured by Knoll International. Each...
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1960s 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

American Midcentury Black White Metal High Stools by Bertoia for Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in MIlano, IT
American mid-century Black and white metal High stools by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1960s Set of 4 high bar stools with seat and back made of a white ...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Labeled, 1960s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Lounge chair with ottoman, Labeled, 1960s, Original Upholstery Originally designed in 1952, these ergonomic lounge chairs...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Harry Bertoia Children's Black Wire Side Chairs for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Iconic midcentury Harry Bertoia black wire mesh side chairs for Knoll International, children's Size, circa 1970. Hans and Florence never insisted that Harry Bertoia design furnit...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern “Diamond” Chairs Designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, a Pair
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Union City, NJ
Mid-Century Modern “Diamond” Chairs Designed By Harry Bertoia For Knoll, circa 1960s. This early pair of Diamond chairs feature original fully upholstered black leather covers. Both ...
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Large Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful vintage large "Diamond" chairs by famed designer Harry Bertoia manufactured in the USA by Knoll. This sculptural chair has been fully restored: The metal frame ha...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Model 420, Side Chairs with White Metal Frame by Harry Bartoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two Model 420 side chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Early edition with white metal frame and black seat pad.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair Mid Century Harry Bertoia Knoll Diamond Chairs
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful pair of vintage, knoll, metal mid century, Harry Bertoia, Diamond Chairs. Nice early Harry Bertoia Diamond Chairs for Knoll. A vintage iconic pair designed by Harry Bertoia manufactured by Knoll features original yellow, removable, vinyl, covered wool and metal frames. Chairs can be used with or without fabric, manufactured early label, on underside with knoll’s 320 Park Avenue address, which housed their offices from 1961 to 1970. The pair dates to the early 1960’s. The diamond chair is an astounding study in space, form and function by one of the master sculptors of the last century. Harry Bertoia’s wire chairs...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Authentic Bird Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, USA, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Deland, FL
Designed by Bertoia as part of his 1952 collection for Knoll, the Bird Chair’s sculptural form, distinctive silhouette, and graceful manipulation of material have made it an importan...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

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 .
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Harry Bertoia Hanging Willow Chandelier, 1968
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chicago, IL
Harry Bertoia Hanging Willow chandelier, 1968. Abundant stainless steel strands reminiscent to a willow tree surround a cylindrical housing with uplighting functions creating a dramatic defusing effect spreading light...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Early Fiberglass shell and Metal Bertoia Bar Stools, Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early fiberglass shell and metal Bertoia bar stools, Harry Bertoia for Knoll, structurally sound, wear to original black molded fiberglass tops, retain original early KNOLL labels.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Child Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
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...
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1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Harry Bertoia for Knoll Wide White Diamond Chair & Ottoman with Pink Upholstery
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia for Knoll wide version diamond chair with ottoman, frames are original white paint an original but faded pink Knoll textile covers. Minor scuffs to f...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of Large Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Fabulous, iconic pair of large "Diamond Chairs" by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Black metal frames and yellow upholstery.
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Harry Bertoia for Knoll Red Diamond Chair, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Wallkill, NY
Large Bertoia diamond chair measuring 28.75 in H x 40. in W x 29.5 in. What a wonderful addition to your Mid-Century Modern decor.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia created hundreds if not thousands of one of a kind monoprints in his career, often as working drawings for his sculpture works. He employed a variety of techniques to arrive ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia created hundreds if not thousands of one of a kind monoprints in his career, often as working drawings for his sculpture works. He employed a variety of techniques to arrive ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Double Spray Sculpture with COA from Foundation
By Harry Bertoia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Harry Bertoia created numerous bundled wire sculptures from the late 1950s until the mid-1970s. This example is a large and interesting table-top variation. Sculpture comes with au...
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1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia created hundreds if not thousands of one of a kind monoprints in his career, often as working drawings for his sculpture works. He employed a variety of techniques to arrive ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia created hundreds if not thousands of one of a kind monoprints in his career, often as working drawings for his sculpture works. He employed a variety of techniques to arrive ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Child's Chair in White with Original Knoll Seat Pad, USA 1960s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
A universally recognized design, this Bertoia child's chair has a white seat with a black base and the original turquoise seat pad.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Steel

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia created hundreds if not thousands of one of a kind monoprints in his career, often as working drawings for his sculpture works. He employed a variety of techniques to arrive ...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Bronze Multi-Plane Cube Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example from this series of work. The surface of the brass-coated bronze plates show a stunning Patinated irregular surface in rouge reds, gold and Verdi gris green Possibl...
Category

1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

1960s Fiberglass Shell Barstool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A barstool with a black fiberglass shell on splayed, painted legs.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Fiberglass

Sonambient Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Georges Mills, NH
Rare Harry Bertoia sonambient sculpture. Pair of off-axis bronze rod arrays silver soldered onto a solid bronze base, circa 1967. Sold with a certificate of authenticity by the Hary ...
Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Brass, Steel

Harry Bertoia Gold Plated Bronze Diagonal Double Tonal Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in St. Louis, MO
Sculptor and Artist Harry Bertoia gold plated bronze Sonambient sculpture, diagonal double tonal, circa 1965. Two groupings of thin rods at different angles on poured slab of bronze. Purchased from estate of the original owner. Sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity” from the Harry Bertoia foundation, along with a copy of the Knoll letter...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Harry Bertoia monotype
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Monotype by Harry Bertoia, initialed and numbered 1860 on rice paper set mounted in oiled walnut frame. From the Bertoia Family collection. A beautiful rendering of his sculptures id...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

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

Harry Bertoia Monoprint
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Large mono-print by Harry Bertoia, initialed and numbered 1857 on rice paper set mounted in oiled walnut frame. From the Bertoia Family collection. A beautiful rendering of his sculp...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Paper

Bird Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Lasne, BE
Black metal chair by Harry Bertoia. Model: Bird. Seat height: 22 cm. Wear due to time and age of the chair.
Category

1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Bertoia child's chairs by Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
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...
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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.
Questions About Harry Bertoia Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Italian-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, 2022
    Whether 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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