Harry Bertoia Seating
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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Creator: Harry Bertoia
Set of Three Harry Bertoia Barstools for Knoll, Signed & New in Original Boxes
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance your home or office space with this exquisite set of three Harry Bertoia barstools for Knoll. Crafted with impeccable attention to deta...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bertoia for Knoll Wire Chairs - Set of 8
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the essence of iconic mid-century modern design with this stunning set of 8 vintage Bertoia side chairs for Knoll. Designed by renowned sculptor Harry Bertoia, these chairs f...
Category
Late 20th Century American Minimalist Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
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 Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of 7 Black and White wire chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
This rare configuration of the Harry Bertoia side chairs, featuring a white base paired with a black seating structure, deviates from the more common combinations typically seen in t...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Harry Bertoia, Knoll International Large Chrome Bird Chair, Purple Cushion, 1952
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
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 Seating
Materials
Chrome
Authentic Mid-Century Modern Knoll Style White Wire Chair – Diamond Lounge
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A stunning and timeless example of Mid-Century Modern design, this sculptural white wire lounge chair is an authentic piece by Knoll, designed by renowned Italian-American designer H...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Wire
1952, Harry Bertoia for, Knoll International, Large Bird Chair in Black
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
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 find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-)
Black bird chair...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Accent Side Chair Black Wireframe with Green Cushion
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Harry Bertoia side chair for Knoll. A beautiful, classic mid century modern side chair. The Bertoia side chair features a modern aluminum wireframe design and a small padded seat c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Aluminum
2021 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Counter Stool in White with Full Cover
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic 2021 production Harry Bertoia for Knoll Counter Stool, Model 426C, originally designed in 1952. The piece is fabricated of a wel...
Category
2010s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
1952, Harrie Bertoia, Footstool for Bird Chair
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 five pictures, find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-)
Original footstool with original upholstery, which can be redone for extra price for the bird chair of Harrie Bertoia...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of Four Harry Bertoia for Knoll Barstool in Chrome & Black Leatherette
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Deisgned in the early 1950s by genius up-and-coming designer Harry Bertoia, this chair stands today as part of an entire line produced by Knoll. Accompanied by Bertoia's Diamond chai...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Bertoia for Knoll Stool
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
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 Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
$1,200
2023 Pair of Knoll Bertoia Diamond Lounge Chairs in White Model 421
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are classic Bertoia Diamond Chairs, Model 421, initially designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll in 1952. These particular examples date to circa 2023, and the listed price include...
Category
2010s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
1970s Pair of Harry Bertoia for Knoll Diamond Lounge Chairs in Black
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Bertoia Diamond Lounge Chairs, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to the 1970s. Their design consi...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia in white & black metal and new seating 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in The Hague, NL
An old and original Diamond Chair, designed by Harry Bertoia. U.S.A., Knoll International, 1960s
The Bertoia Diamond Armchair, originally designed in 1952 is one of the most iconic ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
$809 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Harry Bertoia White Wire Diamond Lounge Chair for Knoll (A)
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A white plastic coated welded wire diamond lounge chair with a contrasting satin black base and sunflower yellow leatherette seat pad . Manufactured by Knoll International and design...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel, Wire
Harry Bertoia for Knoll, Model Bird Armchair with Ottoman, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Oirlo, LI
Design Harry bertoia for Knoll, Model Bird armchair with ottoman, 1970s
Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Vogel armchair and ottoman in black lacquered steel ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metallic Thread
BERTOIA Chair, Model 420, Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Neuss, NW
BERTOIA chair, model 420, designed in the 1940s by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Frame made of wire mesh with a new felt seat cover in yellow.
Quality Features:
very good workmanshi...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
3 Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Wire Side Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll Int
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Timeless and fabulous design by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. Set of 3 classic beauties with full leather pads for seats and backs. All labeled and in very good condition wi...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
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...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
$2,500 / set
1950s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates Slatted Oak Bench w/ Base, Model 400
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an iconic slatted-oak bench, Model 400, designed by Harry Bertoia and produced by Knoll. It is an early piece, and dates to circa 1952. The bench was constructed using solid ...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia in white & black metal and new leather seating
By Harry Bertoia
Located in The Hague, NL
An old and original Diamond Chair, designed by Harry Bertoia. U.S.A., Knoll International, 1960s
The Bertoia Diamond Armchair, originally designed in 1952 is one of the most iconic ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
$809 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia in white & black metal and new blue seating 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in The Hague, NL
An old and original Diamond Chair, designed by Harry Bertoia. U.S.A., Knoll International, 1960s
The Bertoia Diamond Armchair, originally designed in 1952 is one of the most iconic ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
$809 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair of Bertoia Bar Height Stools in Black with Volo Leather Seat Pad
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Featuring delicate filigreed construction that's supremely strong, the airy seats of the Bertoia Seating Collection (1952) are sculpted out of steel rods and have a relaxed sit. The ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
1980s Set of Six Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining Side Chairs with Full Cushions
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Bertoia Side Chairs, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to the 1980s. Their design consists of ...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Vintage White Bertoia Steel Wire Side Chair With "X" Base by Knoll Set of 4
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Culver City, CA
These spectacular chairs need no introduction. this rare X base models are in my opinion the most incredible of his designs with this unexpected and unconventional look and design al...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Pair of Early Bertoia Large/ Wide Diamond Chairs - ALL Original
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in North Miami, FL
The wide/ Large diamond chair is the largest of the Bertoia seating group. These vintage chairs have the ORIGINAL brown covers in very good o...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Set of 3 Harry Bertoia for Knoll International Black "Bucket" Barstools
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 3 Mid-Century American (1960s) curved, concave barstools with black fiberglass "bucket" seats resting on splayed metal legs with square stretcher bases, ending in small circul...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Chrome
Knoll Bertoia Bar Stool with Beautiful Original Cushion, 1970
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Oirlo, LI
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 Seating
Materials
Chrome
$947 Sale Price
20% Off
2014 Pair of Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bar Stools with Black Leather Pads
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic pair of Bertoia bar stools, model 428C, designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to 2014, and the listed price incl...
Category
2010s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Set of Four Vintage Bertoia Chairs
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Stockton, NJ
A set of four vintage Bertoia wire chairs by Knoll. Original red fitted cushions included.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
$1,995 / set
Vintage Mid-Century Knoll Bertoia Bird Lounge Chair
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bird chair designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll,
1952.
Polished chrome steel upholstered in original red fabric.
Foam needs to be replaced.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
Stool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll Inc, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in bruxelles, BE
Black metal stool designed by Harry Bertoia. Seat height 77cm. Wear due to time and age of the stool.
For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Category
1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of 7 white coated wire chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
"I began to think in terms of what I would like as a chair. It started very slowly…I came into rod or wire, whether bent of straight. I seemed to find myself at home there”. Produced...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Harry Bertoia Study for Wire Form, Rare / Experimental 1949
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Buffalo, NY
Provenance: Wright Modernist 20th Century, auction 12/7/2003,
Bertoia worked with the Eames' in California in the late 1940s to develop their wire form chairs. His involvement led...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Mid Century Modern Harry Bertoia For Knoll Bird Lounge Chair In Black
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Lounge Chair in Black
The Mid Century Modern Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Lounge Chair in Black exemplifies timeless design and exc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Wire
1950s Set of Four Harry Bertoia for Knoll Child Size Side Chair No. 425-N
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Child's Bertoia Side Chair with seat cushion, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1955. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Harry Bertoia, Bird Armchair and Ottoman, 1952
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Bird Chair" armchair H. Bertoia
Armchair with its ottoman
First edition
Bird chair designed by harry bertoia for knoll in 1952. The structure of the chair is made up of solid st...
Category
1950s European Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates Slatted Bench, 1980s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
This is an iconic slatted wood bench designed by Harry Bertoia and produced by Knoll, 1980s. The bench was constructed using lacquered wood for the slats, and has a base of chrome-pl...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Chrome
1961 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Chair and Ottoman w/ Original Receipt
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Bird lounge chair and coordinating ottoman, models 423LU/424YU, initially designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll in 1952. This chair and ottoman were originally purc...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Easy Bird Chair in Black Lacquered Metal and Red Fabric by Harry Bertoia, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Bird Chair in Black Lacquered Metal and Red Fabric by Harry Bertoia, 1950s
Additional Information:
Material: Black lacquered metal and original red fabric
Style: midcentury...
Category
20th Century American Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Fiberglass Shell Barstool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A barstool with a black fiberglass shell on splayed, painted legs.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Fiberglass
$3,600 / item
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...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Diamond Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Brussels, BE
Diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 6 available
Sold par piece 1200€.
Category
1970s European Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Chrome
Chrome Bird Chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International, 1952
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Bird chair in chrome. The chair has a beautiful and elegant design with beautiful angles an d details. The chair shows some traces of use, like some rusty spots, which can be polishe...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Metal
Barstool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll & Associates, 1952
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A spare and sculptural stool crafted from shaped steel rods, retaining the original red upholstery. Measures: 40.5" tall, seat height 31".
Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952, manufac...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
2000s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Diamond Lounge Chair in Purple Boucle
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic Bertoia Diamond Chair, Model No. 421, originally designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll in 1952. This particular example dates to the early 2000s and came from a corpo...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Upholstery
Barstool by Harry Bertoia for Knoll & Associates, 1952
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A spare and sculptural stool crafted from shaped steel rods retaining the original woven green wool upholstery. Measures: 40.5" tall, seat height 31".
Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating
Materials
Steel
Harry Bertoia seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Harry Bertoia seating 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 seating, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Charles Eames, Selig, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Harry Bertoia seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $650 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,016.
Creators Similar to Harry Bertoia
Questions About Harry Bertoia Seating
- 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.