Design house Vitra has garnered international recognition for more than 70 years — the Swiss family-owned furniture company has outfitted public spaces as well as residential properties and offices worldwide. It has been a proponent of modernist design since the 1950s. While the brand is heralded for its collaborations with mid-century modern icons such as Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and others, Vitra’s German campus is also home to buildings designed by legendary architects Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry. Among them is the Vitra Design Museum, an independent cultural institution that displays two centuries of design today.
Vitra was established in Weil Am Rhein, Germany, in 1950 by husband and wife team Willi and Erika Fehlbaum. On a trip to New York several years later, Willi Fehlbaum encountered the work of design polymaths Ray and Charles Eames in a furniture store and immediately knew that he had found his bliss.
In 1957, Vitra entered into a licensing agreement with Herman Miller, which saw the company producing designs by George Nelson, the Eameses and others. Later, Vitra partnered with Verner Panton and created the Panton chair, which was the first chair ever crafted from a single piece of molded plastic (it was also the first piece to be independently developed by Vitra). After 27 years of establishing the Vitra brand, the Fehlbaums passed control to their two sons, Rolf and Raymond Fehlbaum.
When a fire destroyed the factory in 1981, the brothers developed the Vitra Factory Campus, subsequently taking the opportunity to redirect the architectural landscape of the company. They created a masterplan with Nicholas Grimshaw, and together they erected four buildings in just a few short years.
In 1988, with the passing of Ray Eames and the disbandment of the Los Angeles Eames office, Rolf and Raymond acquired the furniture design portion of her estate, including the Eames prototypes and experimental models, housed today in the Vitra Design Museum.
Rolf and Roy opened the Vitra Design Museum in 1989. This began a period rich with design relationships, including collaborations with Antonio Citterio, Jasper Morrison, Maarten van Severen, Philippe Starck, Alberto Meda and others.
In 2012, leadership passed to Nora, the third generation of the Fehlbaums. Nora Fehlbaum has, like her grandparents, expanded the company and brought it into the 21st century with the acquisition of Finnish furniture manufacturer Artek. Nora has turned the company’s focus to sustainability yet still maintains its international and cultural relevance legacy.
Find a collection of Vitra lounge chairs, tables, side chairs, sofas and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Rare HiFi Cabinet by Werner Aisslinger for Vitra
By Werner Aisslinger, Vitra
Located in Dronten, NL
Very rare modular enameled steel bench with 3 storage units and 1 leather seat unit that are interchangeable to create your own preferred setup. Because of the ample storage space fo...
Steel
Vitra ‘Self’ Sideboard/ Bookcase '2007' by Erwan & Ronan Bouroullec
By Vitra, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Designed in 2000 and no longer in production today, this rare sideboard is Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s modern take on the classic masterpieces as designed by Charlotte Perriand and Je...
Plastic, Plexiglass
$38,841
H 26.38 in W 78.75 in D 19.69 in
Helix Cabinet Limited Edition of 3, Designed by Ramón Úbeda for BD Barcelona
By BD Barcelona Design, Ramón Úbeda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Helix cabinet limited edition of 3, designed by Ramón Úbeda for BD Barcelona, Barcelona. Container, frontals and shelves veneered in natural stained dark oak. Legs in aluminum with a brass coat. Accessories in polished varnished brass. Dimensions 200 x 50 x H 67 cm. REmix project Vol.1 & Vol.2. REcuperate, REuse and REinterpret. BD is joining the prefixed RE conscientiousness - with a project that is without any complex inspired in our grandmother’s kitchen. Cooking with leftovers is something as old as necessary and nevertheless creative. In our recipe book exist memorable dishes that are prepared with hard bread from the previous day, and chicken leftovers from Sunday’s roast. Leftovers that are wisely reused and reinterpreted. For example, the canelón or cannelloni that can be transformed into a kitchen masterpiece. Company warehouses in the design sector also accumulate leftovers. Generally, these are loose pieces or components of furniture parts that have been forgotten about and put in a drawer, because there was once an excess in fabrication or have been discontinued. It’s a considerable amount of stock that has no way out and that grows with time until it becomes a problem. It loses all its value but continues taking up space and ends up being legally certified (mandatory) to be destroyed. BD has accumulated outdated materials as well, but before considering destroying it we thought we could give it a second chance. Amongst the materials, there are the door handles and knobs designed by Cristian Cirici, which had a lot of success during the eighties of the past century, but stopped being sold when the company changed direction to focus on other markets. In our actual catalogue, there are no door handles or knobs, but we have unique pieces; so why not convert these leftovers into design and art pieces? We offer a limited edition until stocks last. This project has been named REmix, since it has something of a mix, like disco music that was fashionable at the same time the original pieces were designed. To complete it we have had the help and participation of different authors. REmix Vol.1 is a limited set of candle holders...
Oak
$51,788
H 26.38 in W 78.75 in D 20.08 in
Ball Cabinet Limited Edition of 2, Designed by Ramón Úbeda for BD Barcelona
By Ramón Úbeda, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ball cabinet limited edition of 2, designed by Ramón Úbeda for BD Barcelona. Container, frontals and shelves veneered in natural stained dark oak. Legs in aluminum with a brass ...
Oak
Brera Display Cabinets by Piero De Martini for Cassina, 1982
By Piero De Martini, Cassina
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This magnificent set of three center display cabinets, model "Brera," was designed by Piero De Martini for Cassina in 1982. Crafted from matte green-petrol lacquered oak with an open...
Steel
$11,702Sale Price|50% Off
H 78.75 in W 125.99 in D 17.72 in
Wallunit by Finn Juhl for Bovirke Denmark, 1960s
By Finn Juhl
Located in amstelveen, NL
Large modular wall unit BO71 from the 1960s by Finn Juhl with a beautiful rosewood veneer with brass. The placement of the shelves and cabinet can be freely chosen. The shelf was man...
Rosewood
$3,000
H 26.78 in W 39.38 in D 15.75 in
Rare pine sideboard by Göran Malmvall for Svensk fur, Sweden, 1940s
By Svensk Fur, Goran Malmvall
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Small sideboard or cabinet by Göran Malmvall for Svensk fur during the 1940s.
Pine
$813
H 40.16 in W 60.24 in D 10.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage
By Robert Heritage
Located in Leicester, GB
We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price. Shipping to the US £450 in a custom made crate A beautiful long slim gla...
Hardwood
$4,231
H 58.67 in W 47.25 in D 16.15 in
ESU Bookcase In Maple & Birch By Charles Eames & Ray Eames For Vitra From 1949s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Lejre, DK
ESU bookcase designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1949 and produced by Vitra. The bookcase is made of maple and birch with a graphic, modular expression that combines functionality a...
Birch, Maple
$3,228
H 68.9 in W 70.87 in D 15.75 in
Italian modern wood and red metal self-supporting bookcase by Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood and red metal self-supporting bookcase by Arflex, 1970s. Self-supporting bookcase with curved metal structure and glossy red enamel, with solid wood shelves and c...
Metal
$5,521
H 86.62 in W 86.62 in D 16.93 in
Tyco Wall Unit by Manfredo Massironi for Nikol International, 1970s
By Manfredo Massironi
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden wall unit by Manfredo Massironi. Model: Tyco. Wear due to time and the age of the wall unit. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Two Edward Wormley cabinets with corrugated wood sliding doors and center drawer section in a grey brown finish Each cabinet is 20" deep by 49" wide by 31.25 high.
Mahogany
$84,619Sale Price|47% Off
H 33.86 in W 59.85 in D 16.93 in
"Cristallogaphie" sideboard by Erwan Boulloud
By Erwan Boulloud
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Exceptional "Cristallographie" 3-doors sideboard in polished and patinated solid brass marquetry with stainless steel base. Unique and signed piece by the artist Erwan Boulloud. Fran...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Midcentury Florence Knoll Cabinet Rare Ash Wood
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful and practical credenza for living or office space. Sliding door with leather pulls reveal two file cabinets, 4 drawers and adjustable shelves. Perfect for your storage need...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in W 96.07 in D 18.9 in
Modern aluminium sideboard by Maarten Van Severen model Hk-2 Kast for Vitra 2005
By Maarten van Severen, Vitra
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Decorative sideboard named ’ Kast’ by the hand of Belgian interior architect and furniture designer Maarten Van Severen. It was produced by Vitra in 2005 and unfortunately one of the...
Aluminum