Furniture designer Ueli Berger and his wife, Susi Berger-Wyss, collaboratively designed furniture for over 40 years, establishing themselves as influential mid-century modern designers. The Swiss duo produced geometric designs with playful artistry that reflected their longstanding credo: “only a new idea justifies a new piece of furniture.”
In the 1950s, Ueli Berger apprenticed as a painter before attending a trade school and school of arts and crafts. In the early 1960s, he worked with Swiss interior designer Hans Eichenberger. After he married Susi, the couple partnered on furniture design for Swiss manufacturers Victoria-Werke, de Sede and Röthlisberger. In 1965, Berger became head of design and development at Troesch in Bern. By 1971, he was self-employed with his own studio.
Among the couple’s best-known designs is the de Sede lounge chair. Its form is related to the modular seating Berger completed with designers Eleonore Peduzzi Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt. While the modular chairs and sectional “snake” sofas offer a high level of customization, the lounge chair — complete with a tall back and X-shaped frame made from dark lacquered wood — is an innovation marvel. Upholstered in cognac leather, Berger’s seating feels as sexy, comfortable and radical as it did in its heyday.
The pair received the Swiss Grand Award for Design and exhibited work in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Switzerland’s leading design and visual communication museum, the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich. Their Cloud Lamp, or Wolkenlampe, was featured in Modern Magazine and designs for Röthlisberger like the Kungfu Regal shelving and Robot Kommode continue to attract the attention of collectors and modern decorators.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Ueli Berger seating, lighting and more.
Ueli Berger for De Sede 'DS-80' Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger for De Sede, lounge chair, model 'DS-80', wood, leather, Switzerland, 1970s The 'DS-80' lounge chair designed by Ueli Berger for De Sede. The frame is a stark, dark grey...
Leather, Wood
$4,850 / item
Ueli Berger Lounge Chair for De Sede 1970's
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Ueli Berger for De Sede, the DS-80 lounge chair pairs sculptural Swiss design with the manufacturer's renowned leather craftsmanship. Upholstered in its original tan leat...
Leather, Wood, Beech
Ueli Berger for De Sede, lounge chair, wood, Cognac leather, Switzerland, 1970s.
By Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
Ueli Berger for De Sede, lounge chair, wood, Cognac leather, Switzerland, 1970s. This high-back lounge chair is produced by the Swiss manufacturer De Sede. It features an X-shaped f...
Leather
Ueli Berger for De Sede Leather Upholstered Lounge Chair #DS-80
By Ueli Berger
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ueli Berger for De Sede leather and wood lounge chair, style #DS-80. Widely known for the famous 'snake' sofa, Berger also designed a series of chairs for the Swiss manufacturer, whi...
Leather, Wood
$2,490
H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 33.47 in
De Sede DS 14 Lounge Chair in Patinated Cognac Leather, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS 14 lounge chair in patinated cognac leather, Switzerland, 1970s This robust patinated De Sede lounge chair ensures ultimate comfort and bu...
Leather, Beech
DS-16 Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by De Sede
By De Sede
Located in New York, NY
D-16 Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by De Sede, Switzerland, circa 1970s. Upholstered in original dark brown leather.
Leather, Wood
$2,648
H 28.35 in W 33.86 in D 26.38 in
De Sede DS-31 Brown Leather Swivel Lounge Chair, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Rødding, DK
This lounge chair is the DS-31 model, produced by De Sede in Switzerland. The chair is upholstered throughout in warm brown leather, with backrest, arms and seat cushion edged in a ...
Metal
De Sede Lounge Chair in Camel Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede lounge chair, model 'S231', patinated leather, chromed metal, Switzerland, 1960s This lovely and stylish chair is based on a solid const...
Metal, Chrome
De Sede DS 50 Leather Longue Chair
By De Sede
Located in Čelinac, BA
De Sede DS 50 Leather Longue Chair
Leather
$2,750
H 31.5 in W 37.01 in D 34.65 in
De Sede Ds 63 Lounge Chair in Patinated Leather, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS 63 lounge chair in patinated leather, Switzerland 1970s Robust DS-63 lounge chair. This De Sede lounge chair ensures ultimate comfort and b...
Leather, Beech
$3,001
H 40.56 in W 34.26 in D 33.47 in
De Sede DS-31 reclining swivel leather lounge chair, Switzerland 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
An elegant and exceptionally comfortable DS-31 lounge chair manufactured by De Sede, Switzerland, during the 1970s. Upholstered in high-quality leather, this model perfectly illustr...
Metal
Pair of De Sede DS-47 Leather Lounge Chairs C. 1960s
By De Sede
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is an exceptional pair of DS-47 lounge chairs, produced by the Swiss master leather craftsmen at de Sede. Renowned for their uncompromising materiality and bold, sculptural pr...
Leather
$2,650
H 38.98 in W 29.93 in D 36.23 in
De Sede DS-264 Lounge Chair by Mathias Hoffmann, Swiss Leather Design
By De Sede, Mathias Hoffmann
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional example of Swiss craftsmanship, the DS-264 lounge chair by De Sede embodies sculptural presence, tactile luxury, and uncompromising comfort. Designed with the brand’s ...
Steel
$5,280 / set
H 25.6 in W 37.41 in D 33.47 in
De Sede DS 14 Lounge Chairs in Patinated Cognac Leather, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS 14 lounge chairs in patinated cognac leather, Switzerland 1970s These robust patinated De Sede lounge chairs ensure ultimate comfort and buil...
Leather, Beech
De Sede DS 41 Vintage Leather Lounge Chair Blue
By De Sede
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede Model DS 41 leather lounge chair in dark blue leather Great comfort and a classic timeless design by De Sede. Made by 1 big leather skin.
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
$1,895 / set
H 29 in W 41 in D 38 in
1970s Swiss Leather Lounge Chair & Ottoman in the Style of De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Swiss leather lounge chair with matching ottoman, circa 1970s, in the manner of De Sede. Upholstered in rich brown leather with a beautifully worn patina, featuring deep proportions,...
Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in W 27.96 in D 36.62 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs in Patinated Cognac Leather by Ueli Berger for De Sede
By Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger for De Sede, pair of lounge chairs, wood and leather, Switzerland, 1970s High back lounge chairs by Swiss quality manufacturer DeSede. The X-shaped frame consists of dar...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 34.26 in W 27.96 in D 36.23 in
Rare De Sede Lounge Chair Ueli Berger Cognac Leather 1970s High Back
By Ueli Berger
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare and wonderful high back lounge chair designed by Ueli Berger and produced by De Sede, Switzerland in the 1970s. Beautiful patinated cognac leather and original matt lacquered da...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Midcentury Lounge Chair by Ueli Berger for De Sede Lounge in Cognac Leather
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
Located in Lejre, DK
Lounge chair in patinated leather by De Sede. Original condition.
Leather
Sold
H 34.26 in W 27.96 in D 36.23 in
Rare De Sede Lounge Chair Uli Berger Cognac Leather 1970s High Back
By Ueli Berger
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare and wonderful high back lounge chair designed by Uli Berger and produced by De Sede, Switzerland in the 1970s. Beautiful patinated cognac leather and original matt lacquered dar...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs for De Sede by Ueli Berger, 1970s, Switzerland
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
Located in Berlin, DE
Very beautiful pair of lounge chairs designed by Ueli Berger for De Sede, 1970s, Switzerland. Both chairs come in a great original condition with a great patinated leather in brown-...
Leather
Sold
H 34.26 in W 27.96 in D 36.23 in
Rare De Sede Lounge Chair Uli Berger Cognac Leather, 1970s High Back
By Ueli Berger
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare and wonderful high back lounge chair designed by Uli Berger and produced by De Sede, Switzerland in the 1970s. Beautiful patinated cognac leather and original matt lacquered dar...
Leather, Wood
Ueli Berger Pair of Vinyl Lounge Chairs
By Ueli Berger
Located in Geneva, CH
Pair of white vinyl lounge chairs by Ueli bergere, Switzerland, 1967.
Leather
Pair of Easy Chairs by Uli Berger, De Sede Switzerland, 1970
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of easy chairs by Uli Berger, De Sede Switzerland, 1970
Leather, Wood
Pair of Easy-Chairs by Uli Berger, De Sede Switzerland 1970
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Easy-Chairs by Uli Berger, De Sede Switzerland 1970