Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates Model 428C Barstool, Signed First Generation
View Similar Items
Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates Model 428C Barstool, Signed First Generation
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Manufacturer),Harry Bertoia (Designer)
- Design:Bertoia Barstool - 428CBertoia Barstool Series
- Dimensions:Height: 42 in (106.68 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good original vintage condition. Structurally solid ready to be used immediately. For a first generation example, the condition is excellent and is ideal for the Mid-Century Modern collector and design enthusiast.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330215666641
Harry Bertoia
Sculptor, furniture and jewelry designer, graphic artist and metalsmith, Harry Bertoia was one of the great cross-disciplinarians of 20th-century art and design and a central figure in American mid-century modernism. Among furniture aficionados, Bertoia is known for his chairs such as the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952.
As an artist, he is revered for a style that was his alone. Bertoia’s metal sculptures are by turns expressive and austere, powerful and subtle, intimate in scale and monumental. All embody a tension between the intricacy and precision of Bertoia’s forms and the raw strength of his materials: steel, brass, bronze and copper.
Fortune seemed to guide Bertoia’s artistic development. Born in northeastern Italy, Bertoia immigrated to the United States at age 15, joining an older brother in Detroit. He studied drawing and metalworking in the gifted student program at Cass Technical High School. Recognition led to awards that culminated, in 1937, in a teaching scholarship to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Bloomfield Hills, one of the great crucibles of modernism in America.
At Cranbrook, Bertoia made friendships — with architect Eero Saarinen, designers Charles and Ray Eames and Florence Schust Knoll and others — that shaped the course of his life. He taught metalworking at the school, and when materials rationing during World War II limited the availability of metals, Bertoia focused on jewelry design. He also experimented with monotype printmaking, and 19 of his earliest efforts were bought by the Guggenheim Museum.
In 1943, he left Cranbrook to work in California with the Eameses, helping them develop their now-famed plywood furniture. (Bertoia received scant credit.) Late in that decade, Florence and Hans Knoll persuaded him to move east and join Knoll Inc. His chairs became and remain perennial bestsellers. Royalties allowed Bertoia to devote himself full-time to metal sculpture, a medium he began to explore in earnest in 1947.
By the early 1950s Bertoia was receiving commissions for large-scale works from architects — the first came via Saarinen — as he refined his aesthetic vocabulary into two distinct skeins. One comprises his “sounding sculptures” — gongs and “Sonambient” groupings of rods that strike together and chime when touched by hand or by the wind. The other genre encompasses Bertoia’s naturalistic works: abstract sculptures that suggest bushes, flower petals, leaves, dandelions or sprays of grass.
As you will see on these pages, Harry Bertoia was truly unique; his art and designs manifest a wholly singular combination of delicacy and strength.
Find vintage Harry Bertoia sculptures, armchairs, benches and other furniture and art on 1stDibs.
Knoll
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
- Pair of Post-Modern Lucite Barstools by Hill Mfg, circa 1980By Hill Manufacturing, Charles Hollis JonesLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis classic pair of Post-Modern lucite barstools are by Hill Manufacturing and in the style of Charles Hollis Jones and Lion in Frost. Featuring a steel base with foot wrest, and lucite frame with black vinyl seat cushion. *Note, we had a set of 6 but 4 have now sold, so we have 2 barstools left. Priced as a pair, contact us if you wish to purchase a single. This pair of Hill Mfg lucite...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Stools
MaterialsSteel
$1,200 Sale Price / set33% Off - 'Petal' Drinks / Side Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates, SignedBy Knoll, Richard SchultzLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis signed early production 'Petal' drinks table by Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates, designed in 1960, is a favorite amongst Mid-Century Modern collectors and enthusiasts. This...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
$3,040 Sale Price20% Off - 'Petal' Coffee Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates, 1960s, SignedBy Richard Schultz, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis 1st Generation original of the 'Petal' coffee table with Redwood 'petals' by Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates, designed in 1960, is a favorite amongst Mid-Century Modern col...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
$5,120 Sale Price20% Off - Original 'Birillo' Barstools Set by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, c. 1971, SignedBy Joe Colombo, Zanotta, ICF New YorkLocated in Los Angeles, CAA rare collectors set of five (5) 'Birillo' bar-height barstools designed in 1971 by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, Italy, retailed by ICF New York. Signed underneath with Zanotta embossed logo and design information on each chair and ICF New York retailer labels on some of the chairs. These examples are original early year productions and ideal for collectors and modern art and design investors. These examples feature red vintage patent leatherette upholstery and white fiberglass bases. It's very hard to find a single Birillo stool let alone find a matched set of five bar-height barstools. If you are looking for a large set of modern bar height barstools, don't hesitate because once these are gone it will be a difficult opportunity to replicate. This early Post-Modern quintessential design is often misspelled 'Brillo' and even sometimes 'Brillio' but as seen documented in the 1978 Zanotta catalogue, the correct spelling is 'Birillo'. This set of five Joe Colombo Birillo...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Stools
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
$18,900 Sale Price / set24% Off - 77" Leather 'Superking' Rhino by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, SignedBy Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & FitchLocated in Los Angeles, CAA very-rare and original collectors example of the monumentally sized 77" rhinoceros footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, circa 1960s. This example is signed with the 'A&F Co' stamp underside one ear, and is in beautiful lightly aged and patinated condition. Incredibly rare and sought-after, this is the pinnacle pièce de résistance of Omersa collecting. Sturdy and structurally sound, this monumental rhino is ready to be used as a stool or bench for one to two people as it can support the weight of two adults - the interior is built with a steel frame, or use as a designer floor or tabletop sculpture or a friendly companion for an otherwise lonely house dog or cat. Some creative ways to use this Dimitri Omersa footstool is as an ottoman next to a coffee table, a foot stool or armrest next to your favorite lounge chair or reading armchair or use as dining table bench seating for one side of the table. Omersa's designed leather animals...Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsLeather
- Robert Venturi 'Queen Anne' Chair for Knoll International, C. 1985, SignedBy Knoll, Robert Venturi, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott BrownLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis rare and sought after set of four (4) collectors pieces are called the 'Queen Anne' chairs by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 and feature a faux olive burl design with tan leather seats. Post-Modern functional art ready to be used as stand-alone collectible sculptures or as chairs. Signed underneath three chairs with Knoll International labels. Please note, the color amongst the 4 chairs are consistent however due to the studio lighting they appear slightly different from chair to chair, this is simply due to the angle and position of the studio photography lights...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLaminate, Plywood
$24,900 Sale Price / set22% Off
- Green Barstool by Harry Bertoia for KnollBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in Sagaponack, NYA spare and sculptural stool crafted from shaped steel rods retaining the original woven green wool upholstery. Measures: 40.5" tall, seat height 31". Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsSteel
$3,600 / item - 1960s Fiberglass Shell Barstool by Harry Bertoia for KnollBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in Sagaponack, NYA barstool with a black fiberglass shell on splayed, painted legs.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsFiberglass
- Bertoia Chair, Model 420, Harry Bertoia for KnollBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in Neuss, NWBertoia chair, model 420, designed in the 1940s by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Frame made of wire mesh with a new seat cover in grey. Quality Features: ver...Category
Vintage 1940s American Chairs
MaterialsWire
- BERTOIA Chairs, Model 420, Harry Bertoia for KnollBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in Neuss, NWBERTOIA chair, model 420, designed in the 1940s by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Frame made of wire mesh with a new felt cover in grey. The offer includes 4 chair...Category
Vintage 1940s American Bauhaus Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Harry Bertoia for Knoll Associates Brown Leather and Chrome BenchBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century rectangular bench with a two section chocolate brown leather upholstered seat resting on a square chrome tube frame. (HARRY BERTOIA FOR KNOLL ASSOCIATES).Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsChrome, Metal
- Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bar Stools in Custom Italian Parker Hotel Style CushionsBy Knoll, Harry BertoiaLocated in Saint Louis, MOHow would you like to show these? Hollywood Regency Palm Springs Parker Hotel? Mid Century Modern Minimalist? Perhaps interchange both. This pair of bar stools came about in 1950 when Italian Sculptor and Furniture Designer Harry Bertoia experimented with bending metal rods to create practical art. Bertoia's bar stool has a filigree appearance that contradicts its strength and durability. In his own words, “If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes through them.” Made of bent metal frames finished in chrome with bends and curves to support all of yours, these sexy mid century modern bar stools are comfortable. Photographed along with custom made cushions inspired by Norma's Restaurant at the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs, California. Custom Cushions add comfort and a cozy experience while traditional Knoll yellow...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsChrome, Metal