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.
Cesca Side Chair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll, Mid-Century Modern
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Centreville, VA
The Cesca Side Chair, designed by modernist pioneer Marcel Breuer and produced by Knoll, is an iconic fusion of innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Introduced in 1928, th...
Steel
1970s Knoll Cesca Side Chair by Marcel Breuer in Beech and Cane, Model B32
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Cesca side chair, model B32, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. This particular Cesca example came to us via an architect's office located near the Knoll factory, and the d...
Steel
Cesca Armchair by Marcel Breuer for Gavina Knoll, Italy – 1970s, Caned, Ebonized
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An iconic Cesca armchair by Marcel Breuer, produced by Gavina for Knoll, Italy, circa 1970s. This stunning chair features newly replaced caning with ebonized beech wood and a sleek c...
Chrome
1960s Set of Eight Marcel Breuer for Thonet Dining Chairs in Saddle Leather
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of eight of eight B33 and B34 Cantilever Dining Chairs, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. These particular examples were produced by Thonet in the 1960s. Th...
Steel
2023 Marcel Breuer for Tecta B40 Dining Chair with Purple Fabric and Black Frame
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a B40 dining chair, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926. This particular example was produced by Tecta in Germany C. 2023. The chair is comprised of a tubular steel ...
Steel
Mid-Century Marcel Breuer Cesca Cane Cantilver Chairs - a Pair
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Dimensions: H 32.2" x W 18.3" x D 16.4" x SH 19.3" Pair of Italian Cesca chairs designed by Marcel Breuer. Constructed from chrome cantilever tub...
Chrome
2019 Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Armless Side Chair in Blue and Fabric
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an armless Cesca side chair, model 51C, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. The listed price includes one 51C chair, and we have seven available for individual purc...
Steel, Chrome
1970s Set of Six Marcel Breuer B5 / B40 Dining Side Chairs with Brown Leather
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six B5 (or B40) Dining Side Chairs, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926. This example was produced in the 1970s, likely by Tecta. The chair features a tubul...
Steel
2023 Marcel Breuer for Tecta B40 Dining Chair with Blue Fabric and Frame
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a B40 dining chair, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926. This particular example was produced by Tecta in Germany C. 2023. The chair is comprised of a tubular steel ...
Steel
$2,370Sale Price|40% Off
Rare Restored Marcel Breuer Rattan Back Chrome "cesca" Chairs By Virco, Set of 4
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare set of 4 Marcel Breuer rattan back chrome "Cesca" chairs by Virco. This rare variant of the Cesca chair features the rare Paul T. Frankl inspired rattan back with chrome legs. Marcel Breuer (1902-1981) vintage re-edition "Cesca" armchair by Virco. Cantilevered tubular chrome frame with maple and cane seats, backs, and arms, circa 1970, made in Italy. Cesca chair, named after his daughter Francesca, marries caning and hardwood Beech with the Industrial-age aesthetic of cantilevered tubular steel. Functional, simple, and distinctly modern. Cesca chair has no legs and it relies on support from the tensile properties of steel tubing. It uses non-reinforced steel tubing, thereby creating a free-swinging chair...
Rattan
1970s Pair of Marcel Breuer for Thonet Dining Side Chairs in Black Leather
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of eight B33 Dining Chairs, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. These particular examples were produced by Thonet in Germany and date back to the 1970s. The ...
Steel
2023 Marcel Breuer for Tecta B40 Dining Chair with Black Fabric and Frame
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a B40 dining chair, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926. This particular example was produced by Tecta in Germany C. 2023. The chair is comprised of a tubular steel ...
Steel
2023 Marcel Breuer for Tecta B40 Dining / Side Chair in Black Fabric with Frame
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a B40 dining chair, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926. This particular example was produced by Tecta in Germany C. 2023. The chair is comprised of a tubular steel ...
Steel
$10,800 / set
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 20.87 in
Set of Eight Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in Black Faux Leather
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Mid-Century Modern curved back dining chairs upholstered in black faux leather. Crafted of solid heavy full grain hardwood with walnut finish. Perfect for either casual or formal di...
Faux Leather, Wood
$425 / item
H 33.5 in W 18.25 in D 20 in
Marcel Breuer, Model B32, 'Cesca' Chairs with Cane Seating and Chrome Frame
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undeniably iconic Marcel Breuer model B32 or 'Cesca' chairs. Designed in 1928 the chairs feature cantilevered tubular chrome frames with beech wood encased cane seats. These are in o...
Metal
$7,139 / set
H 31.3 in W 18.19 in D 21.34 in
Set of 4 Marcel Breuer Cesca Metal and Wood Mid-Century Modern Chairs, C. 1960
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This set of four Cesca chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer, is a true testament to the iconic Bauhaus movement of the 20th century. Manufactured in Italy by an unknown manufacturer cir...
Metal
$3,509 / set
H 30.71 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
Set of 6 B32 'Cesca' Chairs by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, Italy
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 6 beautiful B32 chairs designed by the famous architect and designer Marcel Breuer. These are the original chairs, made by Gavina in the 80s and reupholstered in a beautiful...
Metal
Italian Cesca Chair 1952 After Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Čelinac, BA
Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair Italy 1952
Chrome
Sold|$2,238 / set
H 31.11 in W 23.63 in D 21.26 in
MG5 Dining Chairs In Cognac Leather And Chrome By Mart Stam Marcel Breuer, 1960s
By Matteo Grassi, Marcel Breuer, Mart Stam
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful set of 4 MG5 cantilever Bauhaus dining chairs in cognac leather designed by Mart Stam and Marcel Breuer for Matteo Grassi, Italy 1960s. The chairs are defined by their tub...
Chrome
$1,306 / item
H 31.11 in W 18.12 in D 22.05 in
Mid-century Cesca chair designed by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, Italy, 1960s
By Gavina, Marcel Breuer
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-century Cesca chair designed by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, Italy, 1960s This elegant Cesca chair, created by Marcel Breuer and produced by Gavina in the 1960s, is a fine example ...
Steel
Cesca B32 Chair by Marcel Breuer, Italy, 1970s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
An enduring icon of modernist design, this Cesca chair, model B32, attributed to Marcel Breuer, is an Italian production from the 1970s. The chair features a cantilevered chromed tub...
Metal
$1,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 41.75 in W 23 in D 18 in
Italian Marcel Breuer Cesca Bar Stools - PAIR
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Madison, WI
Very nice looking and strong Pair of very sturdy Marcel Breuer Italian Chrome and Birds eye woven cane seats and backs. These also Feature the built-in footrests. Very nice looking...
Chrome
$2,299 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Set of Chrome and Black Cesca Chair by Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian set of 3 chrome cantilever Cesca chair with black lacquered wood profiles by Marcel Breuer. The chairs are in really good ...
Chrome
$795
H 31.5 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
1970s Cesca B64 Armchair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll / Thonet 1x Avail
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
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...
Brass, Steel
$400 / set
H 30.63 in W 24 in D 20 in
Vintage 1980s Italian Cesca Cane Armchairs - A Pair after Knoll MCM Marcel Breue
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A pair of vintage reproduction cesca chairs in white painted tubular steel frames and light oak and cane. The design consists of a cantilevered design, accented with a cane seat and ...
Steel
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.5 in D 23.5 in
Pair of Cesca Side Chair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll, Mid-Century Modern
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Centreville, VA
The Cesca Side Chair, designed by modernist pioneer Marcel Breuer and produced by Knoll, is an iconic fusion of innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Introduced in 1928, th...
Steel
Sold
H 33 in W 19.7 in D 25 in
1960s Set of Six Marcel Breuer for Knoll B33 Spoleto Dining Chairs Brown Leather
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six B33 Cantilever Side Chairs, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the 1960s. They feature a tubular s...
Steel
Sold
H 32.25 in W 18.75 in D 21.38 in
5 Marcel Breuer for Knoll Blue and Black Upholstered Cesca Chairs
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Glorious set of 5 Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca chairs. The authentic chairs have the Knoll Studios name and Marcel Breuer’s signature embossed on the metal frames. This particular set dates to 2019 and looks to have been scarcely used. The upper portion of the features black fabric that feels similar to wool or felt. The seat is a teal blue with a tweed-type weave. These timeless chairs have been around since the 1920s and still look cutting edge! The tubular chromed steel frame is shaped into an innovative cantilever form. The cantilever acts as a spring adding flexibility and comfort. Knoll collectors will be pleased to know that we have Bertoia Diamond chairs, a Florence Knoll armchair, Eames Naugahyde pad shell chairs...
Chrome
Sold
H 32.25 in W 18.75 in D 21.38 in
5 Marcel Breuer for Knoll Blue and Black Upholstered Cesca Chairs
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Glorious set of ten Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca chairs. The authentic chairs have the Knoll Studios name and Marcel Breuer’s signature embossed on the metal frames. This particular...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.5 in D 23.5 in
Cesca Chair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll 'Manufactured by Gavina, 1973'
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Centreville, VA
Authentic Cesca chair designed by Marcel Breuer for Knoll (Manufactured by GAVINA, 1973) Vintage hand caned version (You can see the hand caning evidence on the underside of the seat) Manufactured on January 23, 1973 It has "Knoll International" and "GAVINA Model Made in Italy" labels. Since 1928, when Michael Thonet manufactured model B32, as the Cesca chair was then known, for about $24, it has become Breuer's "most famous and now ubiquitous seating design," Christopher Wilk says in his book "Marcel Breuer: Furniture and Interiors" (Museum of Modern Art, 1981). The design was never patented. Breuer signed a contract with the Knoll Group, but his design has always been in the public domain, said Carl Magnusson...
Chrome
Sold
H 32.25 in W 18.75 in D 21.38 in
6 Marcel Breuer for Knoll Blue and Black Upholstered Cesca Chairs
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Glorious set of six Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca chairs. The authentic chairs have the Knoll Studios name and Marcel Breuer’s signature embossed on the metal frames. This particular set dates to 2019 and looks to have been scarcely used. The upper portion of the features black fabric that feels similar to wool or felt. The seat is a teal blue with a tweed-type weave. These timeless chairs have been around since the 1920s and still look cutting edge! The tubular chromed steel frame is shaped into an innovative cantilever form. The cantilever acts as a spring adding flexibility and comfort. This listing is one price for six chairs. We have sixteen of these chairs in total! Let us know if you are interested in purchasing more chairs. Knoll collectors will be pleased to know that we have Bertoia Diamond chairs, an early Saarinen oval Tulip coffee table...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.25 in W 22.5 in D 22 in
Six Mid-Century Modern Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Chairs, Lacquer, 1960s
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Manhasset, NY
Six Mid-Century Modern Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Chairs, Lacquer, 1960s Set of six 'Cesca' chairs designed by Marcel Breuer for Knoll International. ...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 14.57 in
Mid-Century Black Wood and Chrome Cesca Chair by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1970s
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern black painted and metal structure and Vienna straw seat and back original Cesca chair by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, 1960s Ces...
Metal, Chrome
Marcel Breuer Cesca Chairs a Pair
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Fulton, CA
A very nice pair of Upholstered "Cesca" armchairs designed by Marcel Breuer. Fine craftsmanship attributed to Knoll. Retaining "Made in Italy" paper labels. Unusual green upholstery....
Chrome
Wassily Lounge Chair, Side Chair by Marcel Breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wassily B3 armchair in red leather, original design from 1925 by Marcel Breuer manufactured in the 1970s. Polished chrome metal tubular frame and original armrests, back and seat. Th...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 22 in D 18 in
Marcel Breuer Cesca Stendig Mid Century Italian Caned Chrome Side Chair Thonet
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Dayton, OH
"Stendig Breuer Cesca Bauhaus side chair is by Marcel Breuer. The cantilevered stainless steel design is perfect for casual dining spaces. The perfectly balanced stainless steel fram...
Stainless Steel
Wassily Style Lounge Chairs, Late 20th Century
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of Marcel Breuer "Wassily" lounge chairs with black leather upholstery. Acquired from the original owners, an interior designer, who purchased them in New York in the 1990's. ...
Chrome