Max Bill was born in Winterthur, Switzerland. After an apprenticeship as a silversmith during 1924–27, he took up studies at the Bauhaus in Dessau under many teachers including Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee and Oskar Schlemmer from 1927 to 1929, after which he moved to Zurich.
After working on graphic designs for the few modern buildings being constructed, Bill built his first work, his own house and studio (1932–3) in Zurich-Höngg. From 1937 onward he was a prime mover behind the Allianz group of Swiss artists.
Bill is widely considered the single most decisive influence on Swiss graphic design beginning in the 1950s with his theoretical writing and progressive work. His connection to the days of modernism gave him special authority. As an industrial designer, his work is characterized by a clarity of design and precise proportions. Examples are the elegant clocks and watches designed for Junghans, a long-term client. Among Bill's most notable product designs is the Ulmer Hocker of 1954, a stool that can also be used as a shelf element, a speaker's desk, a tablet or a side table. Although the stool was a creation of both Bill's and Ulm School designer Hans Gugelot's, it is often called "Bill Hocker" because the first sketch of it on a cocktail napkin was Bill's work.
As a designer and artist, Bill sought to create forms which visually represent the New Physics of the early 20th century. He sought to create objects so that the new science of form could be understood by the senses: that is as a concrete art. Thus Bill is not a rationalist – as is typically thought – but rather a phenomenologist. He made spare geometric paintings, prints and spherical sculptures, some based on the Möbius strip, in stone, wood, metal and plaster. His architectural work included an office building in Germany, a radio studio in Zurich, and a bridge in eastern Switzerland.
Bill continued to produce architectural designs, such as those for a museum of contemporary art (1981) in Florence and for the Bauhaus Archive (1987) in Berlin. In 1982 he also entered a competition for an addition to the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, built to a design by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Pavillon-Skulptur, a large granite sculpture, was installed adjacent to the Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich in 1983. As is often the case with modern art in public places, the installation generated some controversy. Endlose Treppe, a sculpture made of North American granite, was designed for the philosopher Ernst Bloch.
In 1982 he was awarded the Sir Misha Black award and was added to the College of Medallists.
Bill executed many public sculptures in Europe and exhibited extensively in galleries and museums, including a retrospective at the Kunsthaus Zürich in 1968–69. He was the subject of retrospectives at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1974, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City in 1988.
Find vintage Max Bill stools, lighting, and other furniture on 1stDibs.
2010s Max Bill for Metrocs of Japan Wool Rug 6.5x6.5'
By Max Bill
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a wool rug designed by Max Bill in 1946. This example was produced by Metrocs of Japan in the 2010s. The rug is comprised of New Zealand Wool and features a striking composit...
Wool
$2,285Sale Price|52% Off
W 54.34 in L 75.6 in
Red Area Rugs for Sale, Antique Rugs Caucasian Carpet, Wool Living Room Rugs
Located in Wembley, GB
An excellent example of Caucasian carpet rug weaving from the Shirvan region. Though these orange-red ground Central Medallion patterned rugs may seem like from a distance, but this ...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$3,809Sale Price|20% Off
W 51.58 in L 72.05 in
Antique Rug Hand Woven Turkish Rug, Wool Carpet as Living Room Rug for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
Handmade carpet antique rug with Traditional pattern and sombre colour-ways drench this high-quality rug, highly detailed Turkish area rug. Simple repeat geometric patterns have been...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$3,809Sale Price|20% Off
W 51.58 in L 72.05 in
Antique Rug Hand woven Turkish Rug, Wool Carpet as Living Room Rug for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
Handmade carpet antique rug with Traditional pattern and sombre color-ways drench this high-quality rug, highly detailed Turkish area rug. Simple repeat geometric patterns have been ...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$3,156Sale Price|20% Off
W 59.06 in L 96.46 in
Vintage Rugs for Living Room, Red Handmade Kilim Rug, Wool Flatweave Carpet
Located in Wembley, GB
This vintage 1960s Serbian Pirot Kilim rug is a classic Bessarabian flatweave, known for its refined tribal motifs and bold colour palette. Handwoven from wool, it features a deep red and burgundy field accented with dark blue, ivory, grey, and multicolour geometric patterns. Its balanced layout and repeating motifs make it a versatile floor covering for both rustic and modern interiors. At 245 × 150 cm (8'0" × 4'11"), this medium-sized Kilim is durable, authentic, and rich in folk-art heritage. 🧵 Key Features Design: Geometric, Motif, Zig-Zag, Striped, Folk Art Style: Kilim, Flatwoven, Handmade, Vintage Materials: Wool Colours: Burgundy, Dark Blue, Red, Cream, Ivory, Grey, Multicolour Size: 245 × 150 cm 8'0" × 4'11" Condition: Excellent – Vintage (1960s) Origin: Serbia (Pirot weaving tradition) Weight: Medium (5–10 kg) Shape: Rectangle Coverage: Small–Medium (under 4 sqm) 🏡 Perfect For Living rooms – bold geometric statement rug Dining rooms – medium-size decorative carpet Bedrooms – folk-art inspired accent piece Rustic & bohemian décor – handmade authenticity Collectors – vintage Bessarabian Kilim from Serbia 🗺️ Origin & Era Handwoven in Pirot, Serbia during the 1960s, this Kilim reflects the regional Bessarabian weaving tradition. Its repeating motifs and harmonious palette are hallmarks of Balkan folk-art design. 🎨 Design & Texture Repeating geometric motifs in red, burgundy, and dark blue Bessarabian-inspired floral-tribal balance Contrasting cream and ivory highlights Flatwoven, lightweight yet durable construction 🧼 Care & Maintenance Vacuum gently with low suction Rotate occasionally for even wear Blot spills immediately with a clean cloth Avoid prolonged direct sunlight Professional cleaning recommended Use with rug pad for preservation 🧵 Craftsmanship & Materials Made entirely of wool, this Kilim represents the Serbian Pirot weaving tradition, admired for precision, durability, and vibrant colourwork. Each piece is a unique expression of cultural artistry. 📦 Shipping & Returns Ships worldwide within 3 working days Returns accepted within 14 days (buyer pays return shipping) Questions answered promptly Note: International buyers may be responsible for customs duties/taxes 🛍️ Looking for More? Browse our collections of: Vintage Serbian Kilim...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
$3,809Sale Price|20% Off
W 55.91 in L 77.56 in
Traditional Carpet Vintage Turkish Rug Wool Oriental Rug, Bedroom Rug for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
This Oriental rug vintage area rug features a highly detailed, colorful, central design which majestically floats on a background of subtle orange. Encompassed by a strong multi-laye...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$1,795Sale Price|20% Off
W 51.19 in L 68.51 in
Traditional Bokhara Vintage Rug, Handmade Carpet Wool Rug for Bedroom
Located in Wembley, GB
Handmade carpet Oriental rug minimal colors have been used in this Traditional Bokhara rug, brown is the main featured color with three rows of black octagonal motifs as the central design. This is supported by a highly-detailed multi-layered geometric pattern border. Handwoven by Pakistani artisans using hand-spun cotton and wool which was dyed using organic vegetable dyes. Suitable for any room in your home or commercial property, perfect for use as a bedroom rug, Living room rug, entranceway rug or even home office rug.
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$6,530
W 44.49 in L 105.52 in
Antique Rug Runner Wool Oriental Rug Caucasian Hand Made Carpet for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
This handmade carpet colourful Rug is a Turkish carpet rug has woven by very skilled weavers in Turkey, who used the highest quality wool and cotton. The flat-weave rug has a light o...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
Persian Wool Gabbeh Rug, Tree of Life, 3’ x 4’
Located in New York, NY
With a thick pile, this hand knotted Gabbeh carpet measures 2’8” x 3’10” and belongs to the Orley Shabahang World Market collection. Woven in Iran, the carpet utilizes a Persian weav...
Wool
$4,136Sale Price|20% Off
W 90.56 in L 114.18 in
Gold Aubusson Rug Exclusive Area Rug Handwoven Wool Needlepoint for Home Decor
Located in Wembley, GB
This fantastic area rug has been handwoven with a beautiful, symmetrical floral design woven on an ivory gold background with cream, green, red and ivory accents. This elegant piece'...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$690Sale Price|25% Off
W 12 in L 134 in
1'x11'2" Colorful for Custom Orders Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Brown, Colorful Curtain Blanket Color Shades for Custom Orders, Modern Design, Wool & Silk, Hand Knotted, Narrow Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile h...
Wool
$3,874Sale Price|20% Off
W 46.86 in L 112.6 in
Khotan Antique Rug, Handmade Carpet Oriental Wool Living Room Rugs for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
This handmade carpet Oriental rug deep blue central Asian antique rug was handwoven in Kohtan in 1989. Three circular emblems flow through the c...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$704Sale Price|25% Off
W 33.86 in L 48.43 in
Handmade Floral Rug, Small Beige Carpet Oriental Wool Rugs for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
This rug is a Ziegler rug made on our looms by our master weavers in Afghanistan, Sultanabad. Featuring meandering floral patterns in colors of red and beige. The large-scale design ...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material