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
$2,898
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
$4,831
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
$2,553
W 66.15 in L 88.59 in
Red Oriental Rug Wool Handmade Carpet Floral Living Room Rug for Sale Decorative
Located in Wembley, GB
Discover the enduring beauty of this handmade Ziegler Sultanabad rug, a luxurious hand-knotted wool carpet that combines traditional Persian artistry with timeless elegance. Expertly...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
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
$4,831
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
$6,625
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
$619Sale Price|35% 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
Modern Striped Rug Kilims Area Rug Red Wool Kilim Rug Wool Flat Carpet
Located in Wembley, GB
This bold area rug is a flat woven kilim, woven by hand in the early 21st century. The design features a simple stripe pattern woven in accents of beige,...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
African Rug in Wool
Located in New York, NY
Our African rug is handknotted from the finest, hand-spun, naturally dyed wool. The black and beige modern design is both contemporary and traditional making it extremely versatile. ...
Wool
Handmade Rugs for Sale, Vintage Rugs UK Oriental Wool Area Rug
Located in Wembley, GB
woven on a square cream background in accents of red, green and brown. This is then framed by a rich red symmetrical border. Both the central and surrounding designs have been intricately woven making a highly decorative area rug and the perfect accent piece for any room. The high-quality methods and ingredients employed by the master rug weavers are what makes this wool rug a unique work of art. A piece of craftsmanship second to none- with natural dyes, hand-spun wool and cotton have been woven by hand ensuring that each piece would last for decades and in many cases, centuries. Easily match this wool area rug to both modern and classic home styles for that cosy country or crisp contemporary feel. This piece is suitable for use as a bedroom rug, living room rug, entranceway rug or dining room rug. This piece is in good condition, clean and ready for use in any room in your home. Handmade rugs for sale, vintage rugs UK...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$1,704Sale Price|35% Off
W 37.41 in L 149.61 in
Traditional Runner Rug, Hand woven Oriental Red Wool Rugs for Sale
Located in Wembley, GB
This modern Zielger Runner rug features a traditional Saltanabad design. Woven on a loom in Afghanistan by master weavers. Woven with the finest hand-spun wool, which has been dyed u...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$690Sale Price|25% Off
W 12 in L 134 in
1'x11'2" Brown Colorful for Custom Orders Hand Knotted Wool & Silk Runner Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Brown, Modern Design, Colorful Curtain Blanket Color Shades for Custom Orders, Wool & Silk, Hand Knotted, Narrow Runner, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool & Silk Latex: No Pile h...
Silk