Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

American, Hungarian, 1902-1981

The architect and designer Marcel Breuer was one the 20th century’s most influential and innovative adherents of modernism. A member of the Bauhaus faculty, Breuer — like such colleagues as the architects Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and the artists and art theoreticians László Moholy-Nagy and Josef Albers — left Europe in the 1930s to champion the new design philosophy and its practice in the United States.

Born in Hungary, Breuer became a Bauhaus student in 1920 and quickly impressed Gropius, the German school’s founder, with his aptitude for furniture design. His early work was influenced by the minimalist Dutch design movement De Stijl — in particular the work of architect Gerrit Rietveld.

In 1925, while he was head of the Bauhaus furniture workshop, Breuer realized his signature innovation: the use of lightweight tubular-steel frames for chairs, tables and sofas — a technique soon adopted by Mies and others. Breuer’s attention gradually shifted from design to architecture, and, at the urging of Gropius, he joined his mentor in 1937 on the faculty of Harvard and in an architectural practice.

In the 1940s, Breuer opened his own architectural office, and there his style evolved from geometric, glass-walled structures toward a kind of hybrid architecture — seen in numerous Breuer houses in New England — that pairs bases of local fieldstone with sleek, wood-framed modernist upper floors. In his later, larger commissions, Breuer worked chiefly with reinforced concrete and stone, as seen in his best-known design, the brutalist inverted ziggurat built in New York in 1966 as the home of the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Breuer’s most famous furniture pieces are those made of tubular steel, which include the Wassily chair — named after Wassily Kandinsky and recognizable for its leather-strap seating supports — and the caned Cesca chair.

Breuer also made several notable designs in molded plywood, including a chaise and nesting table for the British firm Isokon and a student furniture suite commissioned in 1938 for a dormitory at Bryn Mawr College. Whether in metal or wood, Breuer’s design objects are elegant and adaptable examples of classic modernist design — useful and appropriate in any environment.

Find vintage Marcel Breuer seating, storage cabinets and lighting on 1stDibs.

Creator: Marcel Breuer

Marcel Breuer Candle Stick for Gavina

$5,000

Marcel Breuer Candle Stick for Gavina

By Marcel Breuer

Located in New York, NY

Nickel Plated Steel Candlestick by Marcel Breuer for Gavina. These were originally made as gifts by Dino Gavina. At some later date they were put into production. Made from 3 interlo...

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Gusums Bruk Spherical Candle Stick Holders

On Hold|~~$285 / set~~

H 4 in W 3 in D 3 in

Gusums Bruk Spherical Candle Stick Holders

By Gusums Bruk

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A refined pair of spherical brass candlestick holders produced by Gusums Bruk in Sweden. Each example features a rounded body set on three ball feet, creating a balanced and sculptur...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Small Silver Chamber Candle Stick

$581

H 3.55 in Dm 3.55 in

Small Silver Chamber Candle Stick

Located in Delft, NL

A small silver chamber candle stick with a separate candle extinguisher, which is hung with a hook. With slide in the stem to raise the candle. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Large Candle Stick by Michael Gittings

$587 / item

H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in

Large Candle Stick by Michael Gittings

By Michael Gittings

Located in Geneve, CH

Large candle stick by Michael Gittings Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Michael Gittings Michael Gittings imagines with his hands. Since establishing h...

Category

2010s Australian Post-Modern Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Small Candle Stick by Michael Gittings

$458 / item

H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in

Small Candle Stick by Michael Gittings

By Michael Gittings

Located in Geneve, CH

Small candle stick by Michael Gittings Dimensions: d 25 x w 25 x h 25 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Michael Gittings Michael Gittings imagines with his hands. Since establish...

Category

2010s Australian Post-Modern Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Baccarat Clear Crystal Candle Holder for 2 Candles, France

$5,759

H 24.41 in Dm 13.39 in

Baccarat Clear Crystal Candle Holder for 2 Candles, France

By Baccarat

Located in Rijssen, NL

A crystal masterpiece of beautiful proportions, this candleholder crystallize the extraordinary know-how of the Baccarat craftsmen. The different cuts in the crystal produce a magic ...

Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Victorian barley twist brass Candle Stick

$262Sale Price|25% Off

H 10.24 in Dm 4.34 in

Victorian barley twist brass Candle Stick

Located in Bern, CH

Late 19th Century Victorian open barley twist brass candle holder with an insert for single a candle stick on a round circular base. Height: 26cm / Diameter: 11cm. Lovely condition w...

Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Memphis Style 1980s Metal Stick Person Candle Holders

$75

H 14.5 in W 12 in D 5 in

Memphis Style 1980s Metal Stick Person Candle Holders

Located in Fairfield, CA

A vintage 1980s memphis style stick person black metal candle holder. The stick person holds a wine glass in one hand and there is a candle holder in the other hand. Quirky wavy hair...

Category

1980s Post-Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

19th Century Palissy Candle Stick

$395

H 9 in Dm 4.13 in

19th Century Palissy Candle Stick

Located in High Point, NC

19th century majolica candlestick in a lovely pineapple design. The colors are wonderfully rich and what an unusual piece to add to any collection!

Category

19th Century French Antique Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Scandinavian Brass standing candle stick 1960s

$1,469

H 50.4 in Dm 11.82 in

Scandinavian Brass standing candle stick 1960s

By Torben Orskov

Located in Den Haag, NL

Very nice Mid Century modern standing candle stick . Ten candle holders For Tea Lights or others . Hand forged Steel upright ,comes with cone shaped Copper candle holders . So decor...

Category

1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Sculptural candle stick holders

$400

H 7 in W 26 in D 4 in

Sculptural candle stick holders

Located in Attleboro, MA

Two hand-built sculptural stoneware candlestick holders connected with a ceramic chain exude an eclectic charm, blending organic forms with functional design. These one of a kind can...

Category

2010s Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Brutalist Design Solid Oak Candle Stick

$169Sale Price|20% Off

H 14.57 in Dm 9.85 in

Brutalist Design Solid Oak Candle Stick

By Societé anonyme francaise

Located in TARBES, FR

Candle stick in solid oak brutalist design. Imposing church candlestick in solid oak from the 1950s, brutalist design, exceptional piece of decoration. Rustic furniture designates a...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Rustic Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Oakwood Candle Holder - Antique Single Candle Stick

$1,700

H 34 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in

19th Century French Oakwood Candle Holder - Antique Single Candle Stick

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An antique French candle holder made of hand crafted in Oakwood with small mirror inserts and a candle holder with plate, in good conditi...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Previously Available Items

Marcel Breuer per Gavina Portacandele Scultoreo Dorato, Italia 1970s

Sold

H 14.57 in Dm 7.49 in

Marcel Breuer per Gavina Portacandele Scultoreo Dorato, Italia 1970s

By Marcel Breuer, Gavina

Located in Naples, IT

Rarissimo Candeliere scultoreo disegnato da MarcEL Breuer e realizzato da Gavina negli anni Settanta. Vero e proprio capolavoro, questo candeliere fonde perfettamente forma e funzion...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Sculptural Gold Plated Candle Stick by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s

Sold

H 14.57 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in

Sculptural Gold Plated Candle Stick by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s

By Marcel Breuer, Gavina

Located in Brescia, Brescia

Timeless Elegance: Marcel Breuer's 1970s Gold-Plated Sculptural Candlestick for Gavina Illuminate your space with a touch of iconic design and unparalleled sophistication with this ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate

Marcel Breuer Italian Midcentury Metal Candle Holders for Gavina, 1960s

Sold

H 14.18 in Dm 7.09 in

Marcel Breuer Italian Midcentury Metal Candle Holders for Gavina, 1960s

By Marcel Breuer, Gavina

Located in Reggio Emilia, IT

Italian Mid-Century Modern design candleholders set of two designed by Marcel Breuer and produced by Gavina with elements with decomposable components in chrome-plated steel, adhesiv...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Marcel Breuer Italian Midcentury Metal Candle Holders for Gavina, 1980s

Sold

H 14.18 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in

Marcel Breuer Italian Midcentury Metal Candle Holders for Gavina, 1980s

By Marcel Breuer, Gavina

Located in Reggio Emilia, IT

Italian polished steel candle holder designed by Marcel Breuer and manufactured by Gavina with adesive label of manufacturer, 1980s. The candle holder consists of three interlocking...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Early Marcel Breuer Candlesticks for Gavina 1961

Sold

H 14.38 in Dm 7.29 in

Early Marcel Breuer Candlesticks for Gavina 1961

By Marcel Breuer, Dino Gavina

Located in Milan, IT

Early Marcel Breuer candlesticks for Gavina Italy 1961.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Very Rare Bauhaus Commemorative Brass Table Lamp by Marcel Breuer, 1925

Sold

H 22.05 in W 5.12 in D 9.85 in

Very Rare Bauhaus Commemorative Brass Table Lamp by Marcel Breuer, 1925

By Marcel Breuer

Located in Baambrugge, NL

A very rare Bauhaus brass table lamp, stamped 'Marcel Breuer/Exposition/Paris 1925' (on the base). This commemorative lamp was sold at the Exposition internationale des arts decoratifs et industriels...

Category

1920s French Bauhaus Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Sculptural Silver Plated Candle Sticks by Marcel Breuer for Gavina

Sold

H 14.25 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in

Sculptural Silver Plated Candle Sticks by Marcel Breuer for Gavina

By Marcel Breuer, Dino Gavina

Located in Atlanta, GA

Sculptural Silver Plated Candlesticks, designed by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, circa 1963. We have two pair available. The price noted of $8000 is for one pair of candlesticks. If you ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Marcel Breuer decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Marcel Breuer decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of steel and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Marcel Breuer decorative objects, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects by Marcel Breuer were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 1960s. Prices for Marcel Breuer decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,337 and can go as high as $3,796, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,567.

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Questions About Marcel Breuer Decorative Objects

Who is Marcel Breuer?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer was an architect and furniture designer who made a major impact on modern design by introducing new materials and emphasizing the importance of form matching function. He was born in Pécs, Hungary, in 1902, and was a part of the Bauhaus school. You’ll find a collection of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
What inspired Marcel Breuer?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
The Dutch art movement De Stijl inspired Marcel Breuer's early work. Artists in the movement like Piet Mondrian created art that adhered to the principles of geometry. This idea resonated with Breuer and informed his designs. Shop a selection of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
Where was Marcel Breuer born?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer was born in Pécs, Hungary, on May 21, 1902. He attended the Bauhaus design school in Weimar, Germany, and eventually became a part of the faculty. After the Nazis shut the school down, Breuer moved to the U.S. He died in New York City on July 1, 1981. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Marcel Breuer furniture.
How do I pronounce Marcel Breuer?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To pronounce Marcel Breuer, say "mar-SELL BROO-ur." The artist's first and last name both originate from the Hungarian language. Breuer was born in Pécs, Hungary, on May 21, 1902. You can shop a variety of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
What is Marcel Breuer known for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer is known for his work as an architect and furniture designer during the 20th century. During his life, he created many famous chairs that remain popular today, including the Wassily lounge chair, the Cesca chair and the D40 cantilever chair. You’ll find a range of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
What is marcel breuer famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 12, 2024
Marcel Breuer is famous for being one of 20th-century modernism’s most influential innovators. His most well-known furniture pieces were crafted of tubular steel, including the Wassily chair and the caned Cesca chair. Breuer also made several notable designs in molded plywood, including a chaise longue and nesting table for the British firm Isokon and a student furniture suite commissioned in 1938 for a dormitory at Bryn Mawr College. Breuer’s designs are elegant and adaptable examples of modernism, useful and appropriate in any environment. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Marcel Breuer furniture.
What did Marcel Breuer design?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Over the course of his life, Marcel Breuer designed many things. Furniture was one of his main focuses, and he created many influential pieces, including the Wassily lounge chair, the Cesca chair and the Laccio side table. Shop a collection of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
Did Marcel Breuer teach at Bauhaus?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Yes, Marcel Breuer taught at the Bauhaus design school in Weimar, Germany. He arrived at the institution in 1920 as a student. By 1925, his duties expanded to include teaching classes of his own and running the school's furniture shop. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Marcel Breuer furniture.
What chairs did Marcel Breuer design?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024
Marcel Breuer designed several chairs. One of his best-known pieces is the Wassily lounge chair made of tubular steel and leather straps. Breuer named the chair after the artist Wassily Kandinsky. Among the designer's other notable chairs are the Cesca chair, the B35 lounge chair and the S 35. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Marcel Breuer chairs.
Where are Marcel Breuer chairs made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Today, Marcel Breuer chairs are made in the factory locations of the furniture manufacturer Knoll, Inc. It operates production facilities in Italy and Canada, as well as in Pennsylvania and Michigan in the U.S. Find a collection of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
Where did Marcel Breuer create the Cesca chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer created the Cesca chair while splitting his time between Paris and Germany. He made the chair in 1928, shortly after he left the Bauhaus school, but you can clearly see the influence of the institution's design principles in the clean, simple lines of the piece. Find a range of Marcel Breuer Cesca chairs on 1stDibs.
What are Marcel Breuer chair legs made out of?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Most Marcel Breuer chair legs are made out of bent tubular steel. The designer introduced this radical new material to modern furniture design with his Wassily Model B3 lounge chair. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of Marcel Breuer chairs.
When did Marcel Breuer become an apprentice at the Bauhaus?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer became an apprentice and student at the Bauhaus school in 1920. He made a big impression on the school's founder, Walter Gropius, and later became the head of the institution's furniture workshop. Find a selection of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
What design school was Marcel Breuer associated with?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer was associated with the Bauhaus school in Weimar, Germany. After attending classes as a student, Breuer became the head of the school's furniture shop. While working there, he created the Wassily lounge chair, introducing the use of tubular steel frames to modern furniture design. Find a variety of Marcel Breuer chairs on 1stDibs.
Why did Marcel Breuer choose a bicycle tube?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer chose a bicycle tube frame to create his Wassily lounge chair because he was impressed by the strength and weight properties of the steel. The chair was a landmark in furniture design and opened the doors to the use of tubular steel frames in many chairs, tables and sofas produced during the modern period. You’ll find a selection of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.
How can you tell an original Marcel Breuer chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
There are a number of ways that you can tell an original Marcel Breuer chair. One trick is to examine the frame. If you see end caps, you're likely looking at a replica. Authentic Breuer chairs featured polished, welded ends. Some chairs also feature stickers that identify the model name located under their seats. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Marcel Breuer chairs.
How do I identify Marcel Breuer bar stools?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To identify Marcel Breuer bar stools, start by examining the frame. Genuine models will usually feature smooth, welded ends. Most reproductions have end caps instead. You can also look for a sticker that bears the model name on the underside of the seat. On 1stDibs, find a range of expertly vetted Marcel Breuer bar stools.
How do I reupholster a Marcel Breuer Cesca chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To reupholster a Marcel Breuer Cesca chair, first pry out the staples, remove the original upholstery and disassemble the chair. Place the new fabric on a flat surface and position the seat upside down. Fold the fabric over the edge and secure it with a staple gun. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of expertly vetted Marcel Breuer Cesca chairs.
What was most innovative about Marcel Breuer’s model B3 chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
What was most innovative about Marcel Breuer's Model B3 chair was its frame. Also known as the Wassily lounge chair, the piece featured a lightweight, sturdy tubular steel frame inspired by the artist's Adler bicycle. His use of the metal started a radical shift in furniture design. You’ll find a variety of Marcel Breuer Model B3 chairs 1stDibs.
What material did Marcel Breuer introduce to modern furniture design?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Marcel Breuer introduced the material of tubular steel to modern furniture design. He employed it in many of his chairs, tables and sofas, prizing the material because it minimized the weight of pieces without sacrificing their strength. Shop a range of Marcel Breuer furniture on 1stDibs.

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