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Marcel Breuer Armchairs

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.

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Number in Set: Set of 6
Creator: Marcel Breuer
Mid-Century Modern B64 Cesca Chair with Arms by Marcel Breuer, Italy, 1970s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Marbella, ES
Chair model Cesca B64, with armrests. Chromed tubular structure, beechwood frames in black color and Viennese natural grid. Excellent condition in general both of the wooden frames, ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Marcel Breuer Armchairs

Materials

Steel

1970s Cesca B64 Armchair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll / Thonet 12+ Avail
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 'Cesca' armchair, model B64, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. These particular examples were seemingly manufactured by Knoll in the 1970s. Some may have been p...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Armchairs

Materials

Brass, Steel

Marcel Breuer Bauhaus Black Model B3 Wassily Armchair for Gavina, 1969, Set of 6
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six model B3 “Wassily” armchairs, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Gavina in 1969. It features a chrome-plated steel structure and...
Category

1960s Italian Bauhaus Vintage Marcel Breuer Armchairs

Materials

Chrome, Iron

Set of 6 Thonet Cesca Chairs by Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set of 6 Thonet Cesca chairs 1980s Set of four armchairs, model Cesca, designed by Marcel Breuer. Manufactured by Thonet circa 1981 Chrome cantile...
Category

1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

Customizable S 64 Cantilever Armchair by Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in New York, NY
Among the tubular steel furniture models, the cantilever chair S 64 is especially versatile. It is at home in various design worlds and fits in wi...
Category

2010s German Marcel Breuer Armchairs

Materials

Chrome

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Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Side/Dining Chairs, 1980
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Chrome and Black Cesca Chair Designed by Marcel Breuer Made in Italy circa 1970s
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Restored Bauhaus Armchair, Marcel Breuer, Thonet, Beech, Chrome, Germany, 1930s
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Set of Four Tanned Cognac Marcel Breuer Cesca Dining Chairs
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All Black Cesca Chairs by Marcel Breuer, Italy, 1970s
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White Framed Marcel Breuer 'B64' Cesca Armchair w/ Cane Seat by Gavina, c. 1960
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Pair of Wassily Lounge Chair White Leather by Marcel Breuer, Gavina, circa 1962
By Marcel Breuer, Dino Gavina
Located in Paris, France
This early original of Wassily pair of lounge chairs, are with the original white leather, highly sought after by collectors. The leather has no structura...
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Bahaus Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair S64
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Vintage Cesca chair by Marcel Breuer Italy C. 1960 Vintage Cesca chair by Marcel Breuer. Made by Gavina, Italy, 1962. Version with arms. Very good ...
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Bahaus Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair S64
Bahaus Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair S64
H 32 in W 24.5 in D 20 in
Original Wassilly Armchair by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Argelato, BO
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1930s Cesca Armchair by Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
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A minimal Cesca armchair designed by Marcel Breuer featuring caned seat and back on a cantilevered tubular chrome frame. Originally from the Levy House...
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1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Marcel Breuer Armchairs

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1930s Cesca Armchair by Marcel Breuer
1930s Cesca Armchair by Marcel Breuer
H 32 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
B32 Cesca Chairs by Marcel Breuer for Gavina
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. These Cesca chairs are an original example of the armless B32 chair by Marcel Breuer. They are ext...
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Previously Available Items
Vintage Set of 6 Marcel Breuers Cesca Chair by Thonet in Black
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Beautiful set “Cesca” armchairs by Marcel Breuer, manufactured in Italy. Black finish cane seats and backs. Classic chrome cane. Caning very good condition and a beautiful color. Mad...
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Six Midcentury Marcel Breuer "Cesca" Armchairs, Italy, 1970
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Located in Almelo, NL
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Set of Six Armchairs Cesca B64 Model Marcel Breuer Design
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Set of six chairs Cesca B64 Marcel Breuer design, 1970s, Made in Italy, composed of a structure called "cantilever" tubular metal bent and chrome, armrests (...
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Marcel Breuer armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Marcel Breuer armchairs 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 Marcel Breuer armchairs, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 72 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original armchairs by Marcel Breuer were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by and Le Corbusier. Prices for Marcel Breuer armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $395 and can go as high as $107,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,138.
Questions About Marcel Breuer Armchairs
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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