For the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, German-American architect and furniture maker Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969) — in collaboration with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich (1885–1947) — created a chair fit for royalty.
The Spanish king, Alfonso XIII, was expected to attend the opening of the World’s Fair, and as Mies later stated, the chair needed to be “monumental . . . you just couldn’t use a kitchen chair.” In its X-shaped structure, the Barcelona chair recalls the ancient folding stools of Egypt and Rome and was designed with swooping lines and a luxe contrast of materials between the chrome-plated frame and quilted leather cushions. Like the pavilion surrounding it, the chair distilled Mies’s “less is more” aphorism.
By all accounts, King Alfonso XIII never got around to sitting on this modern throne. The pavilion, too, stood for only seven months before it was demolished. Nevertheless, the Barcelona chair was regarded as a masterwork of modernism, influencing countless buildings that followed with its minimalist aesthetic of marble, glass and steel, which gracefully flowed together from the exterior to the interior spaces. Out of all the pavilion’s components, the Barcelona chair had the most longevity as a stand-alone piece.
Shortly after the close of the pavilion, the Barcelona chair went into production, first handcrafted by the Berliner Metallgewerbe studio. It became popular in private residences, debuting in America in 1930 in the New York apartment of architect Philip Johnson, who had met Mies during his work on the German Pavilion in Spain.
Fleeing the Nazis’ rise to power in Germany, Mies, too, soon moved to the United States. He relocated to Chicago, where he became the director of the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1938. It was there that he met designer Florence Knoll, who would help bring the Barcelona chair into mass production.
The earliest models of the Barcelona chair from Knoll were released in 1947. The design company and furniture manufacturer made slight updates to the chair over the years in response to new technology, including in 1964 changing the frame to stainless steel. Prevalent in office lobbies and architects’ homes, the Barcelona chair has seen numerous imitators, so in 2004 Knoll finally received a federal trade dress protection for it and four other pieces by Mies.
Knoll continues to produce the chair, and although the 21st-century version differs slightly from the 1929 original, it still embodies Mies and Reich's vision of design elegance in its balance of function and form.
Barcelona Chairs, 8 Pieces, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll, Early 2000s
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Barcelona chair (8 pieces, sold separately), design Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, manufactured by Knoll, Early 2000s. Chrome frame, leather upholstery. Marked. Good vintage condition, mi...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Knoll Barcelona Chairs Stainless Steel with ottoman
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Authentic Midcentury Modern Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll – Premium Stainless Steel Version Offered for sale is an iconic Barcelona Chair, designed by Ludwig Mies ...
Stainless Steel
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chair for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic 21st century Barcelona Chair by Knoll, originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. This iconic modernist lounge chair features the classic hand-tufted leather cushi...
Steel
Barcelona lounge chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International (Signed)
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Argelato, BO
Early edition Barcelona chairs in black leather, Mies van der Rohe, Knoll International Originally designed in 1926 for the International Exposition, the Barcelona chair was recon...
Metal
Pair Mid Century Black Leather Barcelona Chairs Mies van der Rohe for Knoll 1977
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of vintage mid century modern leather Barcelona lounge chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe were manufactured by Knoll International in 1977. This classic pair feature heav...
Steel, Chrome
$2,925Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 'Barcelona' chair for Knoll made in USA 1965
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Paris, IDF
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 'Barcelona' chair for Knoll made in USA 1965Chrome steel base , detachable cushions with bone white leather upholstery. This pais Is an original Mies Van der...
Steel
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972, Set of 2
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage co...
Chrome
$3,500 / set
Leather Barcelona Chairs
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of iconic mid-century modern low profile chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Simple design with timeless appeal. Two tufted leather cushions rest on a strong and heavy ...
Chrome
Mid Century White Barcelona Chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of vintage mid century modern white Barcelona chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe were manufactured by Knoll International, Inc. circa...
Steel, Chrome
Mid Century Cream Barcelona Chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, 1980s
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of vintage mid century modern leather Barcelona lounge chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe were manufactured by Knoll circa 1980. This pair of chairs feature heavy, polish...
Steel, Chrome
Brown Leather Barcelona Lounge Chair & Ottoman By Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in New York, NY
Barcelona Lounge Chair and Ottoman, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA and dates to the 1960s in its original ...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Burgundy Leather Barcelona Chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll, 1990s
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Burgundy Leather Barcelona chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll, 1990s
Leather
Barcelona Lounge Chair & Ottoman By Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Lilly Reich, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in New York, NY
Barcelona Lounge Chair and Ottoman, model 250LS, designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929. This examples were produced by Knoll in the 1960s, in its original Dark Brown ...
Steel, Chrome
$14,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Early Barcelona Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe by Stiegler 1950s
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Aachen, NW
These rare Barcelona chairs were designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929 for the famous Barcelona pavillon and produced by Stiegler in the 1950s. Stiegler was a small company who c...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Knoll Black Leather and Stainless Steel Barcelona Chairs, Signed
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair / Two black leather and stainless steel Barcelona Chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Knoll. Each example is signed with the Knoll Studio markings. Very few signs of use...
Stainless Steel
Ultra Rare 30th Knoll Anniversary Limited Edition Barcelona Chair No 27/100
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This very rare Barcelona chair and ottoman were designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929 and produced by Knoll International in 1981 for the 30th anniversary of Knoll International. The...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Mies van der Rohe Tubular Chrome Brno Chairs by Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Hanover, MA
Designed in 1930 for the Tugendhat house in Brno, Czechoslovakia, the Brno chair is in the Pantheon of modern design icons. The cantilevered frame is a single piece of tubular chrome...
Chrome
$2,550Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 30 in W 29 in D 30 in
Pair Italian Leather and Polished Steel Barcelona Lounge Chairs
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of iconic “Barcelona” chairs in the style of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Initially created for the German Pavilion at the Barcelona exposition, each chair features a sturdy poli...
Chrome
Sold|$4,024 / set
H 31.89 in W 18.9 in D 26.78 in
4 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Mr10 Dining Chairs 1960s Knoll International
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in London, GB
Complete set of four chrome cantilever MR10 chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in brown leather. This set of chairs is an early 1960s example of his famous design produced by Knoll International. The MR10 chair was first designed in the 1920s, and this set of four features the chrome springs on the backs and seats. Later the design was improved, with a shortening of the springs and a reversion to an elastic corset cord. The chairs still bear the oval sticker marks on the back of the bottom of the seats. MR10 chairs are really comfortable, and are a real design Classic, as seen in many films and other media. Our MR10 chairs recently have been used to decorate the interior of a restaurant in London, which was featured in Architectural Digest, Dezeen, Elle Decoration, and many other publications (as shown in the images, which are property of Child Studio...
Steel, Chrome
$12,339 / set
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 29.93 in
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972, Set of 2
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage co...
Chrome
Pair of Vintage Barcelona Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Selig
By Selig, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of Selig lounge chairs feature chrome and tufted vinyl lounge chairs feature comfortable proportions and stylish modern design. Paired with matching ottoman, uniquely shape...
Chrome
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Chair and Stool
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Dallas, TX
Mies van der Rohe's iconic Barcelona chair with stool. Stamped Knoll.
Metal
$5,100Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 28.75 in W 31 in D 27 in
Vintage Set of Knoll Wassily Chairs by Marcel Breuer
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Las Vegas, NV
All original, Vintage pair of Wassily chairs by Marcel Breuer for Knoll. Originally designed in 1925, this is a truly Classic and timeless design. One chair retains its original Knol...
Chrome
$6,284 / set
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 30.32 in
Vintage 1970s Barcelona Lounge Chairs Set of 2 by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare set of Barcelona chairs was designed by Architect Mies van der Rohe and Designer Lily Reich in 1929 and produced by Knoll International in the 70s labeled The Barcelona ch...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$12,000
H 25.6 in W 78 in D 37.8 in
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Daybed for Knoll, Black Leather, 1972
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in New York, NY
A piece that embodies elegance and presence, the Barcelona Daybed is a cornerstone of modernist design. Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929 and produced by Knoll Internation...
Chrome
$684
H 15.75 in W 24.41 in D 23.63 in
Barcelona Footstool / Taburet by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, 2000s
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Praha, CZ
- Designer: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe - Very good original condition - circa 1990s - Maker: ? - Leatherette. - signs of use
Textile
$11,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 30 in D 27 in
Pair of Early Barcelona Chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, circa 1955
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare and desirable pair of early Barcelona chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Knoll during the formative years of auth...
Steel, Chrome
$15,996
H 25.6 in W 37.8 in D 77.96 in
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Bauhaus Coffee Leather Barcelona Daybed for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Vicenza, IT
Barcelona daybed, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International. The Barcelona chair epitomizes functional minimalism, initially crafted in 19...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.25 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Mid Century Brown Leather Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, 1983
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern brown leather Barcelona chair designed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll was manufactured in 1983. This iconic Bauhaus chair originally designed by Ludwi...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 30 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Vintage Cream Leather Knoll Barcelona Chair By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Las Vegas, NV
An authentic late 20th century Barcelona Chair by Knoll, originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. This iconic modernist lounge chair features the classic hand-tufted leather...
Chrome
Pair of Barcelona Chairs, Model 250LS and Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Lilly Reich, Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in New York, NY
Barcelona Lounge Chairs, model 250LS, designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929. These examples were produced by Knoll in the 1980s, in its original Whiskey Brown leather.
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 31 in W 30 in D 29.5 in
Knoll Signed Barcelona Chair and Ottoman by Mies van der Rohe Mid Century Modern
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Atlanta, GA
Iconic Barcelona Chair and Ottoman, designed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, signed with Knoll label, American, circa 1980s. This chair was originally designed by Mies van der Rohe i...
Metal
Sold
H 30.25 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Barcelona Chair & Ottoman in Green Leather by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Oceanside, US
An exceptional Barcelona Chair and matching Ottoman by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International, produced in the late 1960s–1970s (as confirmed by original Knoll tags reading...
Steel
Sold
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 30.32 in
Pair of Barcelona Chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, 1960s
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in collaboration with Lilly Reich, the Barcelona chair remains one of the most iconic pieces of 20th-century design. Originally created in 1929 f...
Stainless Steel
Knoll Barcelona Glass Coffee Table
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Rochester, England
Created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for his 1929 German Pavilion at the International Exhibition in Barcelona, the Barcelona Collection’s pure composition came to epitomise modern ar...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.53 in W 29.53 in D 29.53 in
Vintage Cognac Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe Knoll 1970s Ex Estée Lauder
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This rare Barcelona chair was designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929 and produced by Knoll International in the 1970s. From the company property of Estée Lauder. The piece features a...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 29.5 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Mies Van der Rohe Choc. Brown Barcelona Chairs/ Stainless Steel Frames for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Mies Van der Rohe Chocolate Brown Leather Chairs with Stainless Steel Frames. New straps to bottom seat area seat straps are sli...
Stainless Steel
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Chairs and Ottoman
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Atlanta, GA
Iconic Pair of Barcelona Chairs and Ottoman, designed by Mies van der Rohde for Knoll, American, circa 1970s. The previous owners added snaps to the back of the backrest cushions so ...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 30.32 in
Barcelona lounge chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International, 1960s
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in amstelveen, NL
Early edition Barcelona chairs in cream leather, Mies van der Rohe, Knoll International Originally designed in 1926 for the International Exposition, the Barcelona chair was reconfi...
Leather
Sold
H 29.53 in W 29.14 in D 29.14 in
Pair of Rare Barcelona Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe by Stiegler Knoll 1950s
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Aachen, NW
These rare Barcelona chairs & 1x ottoman were designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929 for the famous Barcelona pavillon and produced by Stiegler Marbach in the 1950s. Stiegler wa...
Stainless Steel
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.
Of the million-plus items on 1stdibs, some seem to have transcended time, looking as fresh today as when they were first produced. The pieces highlighted on our new Iconic Designs page stand out for longevity, functionality and quality of design and manufacture — just the tonic for the present unsettled moment.
The Windy City's Matthew Rachman Gallery takes a deep dive into the designer's practice.
