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Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

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
Very Rare Harry Bertoia Monoprint on Rice Paper
Very Rare Harry Bertoia Monoprint on Rice Paper

Very Rare Harry Bertoia Monoprint on Rice Paper

By Harry Bertoia

Located in Munich, DE

Purchased at la modern around 20 years ago. Size is of the visible picture inside passe-partout.

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Harry Bertoia monotype
Harry Bertoia monotype

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...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s

By Harry Bertoia

Located in New York, NY

A rare display of 6 Harry Bertoia Monoprints, circa 1960s. Bertoia created hundreds if not thousands of one of a kind monoprints in his career, often as working drawings for his scul...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper

Harry Bertoia monoprint
Harry Bertoia monoprint

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...

Category

1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Monoprint
Harry Bertoia Monoprint

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Early Important Harry Bertoia Monotype
Early Important Harry Bertoia Monotype

Early Important Harry Bertoia Monotype

By Harry Bertoia

Located in Chicago, IL

Early Important Harry Bertoia Monotype, One of his first works on paper, Monoprint on Rice Raper Signed to verso ‘HB’. Inscribed to lower right ...

Category

1940s Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Collectible Monochromatic Harry Bertoia Print
Collectible Monochromatic Harry Bertoia Print

Collectible Monochromatic Harry Bertoia Print

By Harry Bertoia

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Fascinating monographic by Harry Bertoia having surrealistic style probably influenced by Odilon Redon and Paul Klee. Handsomely matted and framed.

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia monoprint
Harry Bertoia monoprint

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...

Category

1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Very Rare Harry Bertoia Monoprint on Rice Paper
Very Rare Harry Bertoia Monoprint on Rice Paper

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

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James Jacques Joseph Tissot "Soirée d'été" 'Summer Evening' Etching & Dry Point
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Previously Available Items
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

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Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
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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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

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Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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 ...

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1960s North American Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

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Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

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Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monoprint on Rice Paper, USA, 1960s

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia Framed Monotype on Rice Paper, USA 1960s
Harry Bertoia Framed Monotype on Rice Paper, USA 1960s

Harry Bertoia Framed Monotype on Rice Paper, USA 1960s

By Harry Bertoia

Located in New York, NY

Bertoia created hundreds if not thousands of one of a kind monotypes in his career, often as working drawings for his sculpture works. He employed a variety of techniques to arrive a...

Category

1960s North American Vintage Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Harry Bertoia wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Harry Bertoia wall decorations are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Harry Bertoia wall decorations, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original wall decorations 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 wall decorations by Frederic Weinberg, Robert Indiana, and Werner Drewes. Prices for Harry Bertoia wall decorations can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,200 and can go as high as $8,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,500.
Questions About Harry Bertoia Wall Decorations
  • 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.