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Harry Bertoia Side Chairs

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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Color:  Gray
Creator: Harry Bertoia
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 Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

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...
Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

1952, Harrie Bertoia for Knoll International a Set of Wire Dining Chairs
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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Early Set of Four Harry Bertoia Molded Shell Side Chairs for Knoll, Labeled
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Mid Century Modern Set of 4 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining Side Chairs
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Located in Keego Harbor, MI
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Harry Bertoia Child's Chairs in White with Original Knoll Seat Pads, USA, 1960s
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Located in New York, NY
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Vintage Set of 6 White Harry  Bertoia Side Chairs
Vintage Set of 6 White Harry  Bertoia Side Chairs
H 30.01 in W 22.01 in L 30.01 in

Harry Bertoia side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Harry Bertoia side chairs 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 side chairs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original side chairs 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 side chairs by Baker Furniture Company, Paul McCobb, and Charles Eames. Prices for Harry Bertoia side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $370 and can go as high as $3,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $823.
Questions About Harry Bertoia Side Chairs
  • 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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