The Wassily Chair is a modernist seat designed in 1925 by the iconic modernist designer, Marcel Breuer. It is often credited as being the first piece of furniture to be made using bent tubular steel.
This signature style has become Breuer’s signature style and has since become one of the most iconic pieces of furniture ever made.
The Wassily Chair, also known as the “B3 Chair”, is an example of Breuer’s exploration into the modernist aesthetic and streamlining of form. Breuer saw potential in using industrial materials like steel to create furniture that was both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
The armchair was designed for the upper-level living rooms of the masters at the Bauhaus in Germany. The geometry, fit and finish of the chair are all signature style points that have been correlated with Breuer’s design principles.
Today, the Wassily Chair remains a popular item, with many knock offs being available on the market. What makes it iconic is its timeless design and the way it has managed to maintain its relevance in the ever-changing landscape of home design.
It is often seen as the prototypical modernist design which has influenced many contemporary designs. Even the most casual design admirer can recognize the Wassily Chair and find beauty in its structured and balanced form.
What was the inspiration for the Breuer chair?
The Breuer chair is one of several designs by the influential 20th century furniture designer Marcel Breuer. The chair is an iconic design of modernist furniture and was inspired by Breuer’s interest in minimalist design.
Breuer’s desire was to create a piece of furniture that was as streamlined and as lightweight as possible to allow for maximum flexibility in its use and to allow the user to move freely. This wish is reflected in the chair’s simple and clean construction: a frame made of bent tubular steel and a seat, back and armrest upholstered in leather and cane or rattan.
Breuer used an elementary process of welding and bending to create the tubular steel, giving his design an uninterrupted, fluid form that is lightweight yet strong. This process, which could be mass-reproduced, made the furniture affordable and accessible to the wider public.
The design of the Breuer chair is a testament to Breuer’s commitment to modernist kind of design that prioritises practicality and simplicity to create timeless, functional and aesthetic pieces.
Was Wassily chair mass-produced?
Yes, the Wassily chair was mass-produced. Designated as the model B3, the chair was designed by the renowned modernist architect and designer, Marcel Breuer, in 1925. Initially created for the apartment of Breuer’s colleague, Wassily Kandinsky, the chair quickly gained attention from peers due to its revolutionary, minimilastic design.
This use of tubular steel and leather earned the chair the nickname “the armchair of the machine age. ” Subsequently, production rights were purchased by the Italian manufacturer, Gavina, and mass production began in 1965.
Since then, the Wassily chair continues to be a staple piece in many homes and offices around the world, testifying to its timelessness and popularity.
How much is a real Wassily chair?
The Wassily chair was designed by the famous Bauhaus designer Marcel Breuer in 1925 and is considered a classic and iconic piece of furniture. Today, there are many reproductions of the iconic chair on the market, allowing people to invest in an iconic piece for a relatively affordable price.
Original Wassily chairs created by Marcel Breuer can be quite valuable; depending on the condition, they could be priced at anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. Because of the high value of these pieces, reproductions are becoming increasingly popular due to their much lower prices.
On average, a reproduction Wassily chair can be found in the range of $500 to $1,500, with authentic reproductions typically costing more than knock-offs. It’s important to be aware of the materials used, as authentic, high-quality chairs will be made with exclusive leather and chrome-plated steel, which will cost more.
How do you pronounce Wassily?
Wassily is pronounced ‘WAH-see-lee’. The ‘wa’ sound is a soft ‘wa’ as in ‘water’, the ‘s’ is pronounced like the ‘s’ in ‘sun’, ‘i’ is pronounced like the ‘ee’ in ‘see’, the ‘l’ is pronounced like the ‘l’ in ‘love’ and the ‘y’ is pronounced like the ‘ee’ in ‘see’.
It should sound like ‘WAH-see-lee’.
What is Bauhaus chair?
The Bauhaus chair is a type of furniture designed by the German Bauhaus school in the 1920s. It was created to meet the school’s goal of unifying art, craft, and technology. The chair contains simple, geometrical lines and planes, reflecting the Bauhaus’ focus on form following function.
The chair was created using industrial materials and techniques, as a popular example of furniture produced using the newly emerging modernist style. It has become an iconic symbol of mid-century modern design and has been widely replicated and reproduced over the last few decades.
The chair remains highly versatile and is widely used in a variety of settings, from home, to office, to meeting spaces.
What is the Bauhaus design movement?
The Bauhaus design movement was an influential 20th century modernist movement that focused on the integration of art, craft, and design. Its holistic approach to design espoused the belief that form and function should be combined in all aspects of art and design to create a unified whole.
Founded in 1919 by architect Walter Gropius in Weimer, Germany, it quickly grew to become an innovative and influential force in architecture, industrial design, and, in particular, the use of geometric shapes and form.
Its focus on extending art into the modern domestic and everyday sphere started the form of functionalism and streamlining of form, ultimately leading to such popular designs today as the Eames lounge chair, Jacobsen chairs, and the Ulm Stool.
With the rise of the Third Reich and its fascist ideals, the school was shut down in 1933, however its devastating influence on art, design, and architecture has lived on for generations to come.
How can you tell if a Marcel Breuer chair is real?
In order to determine whether a Marcel Breuer chair is authentic, you should look for specific attributes that make the chair genuine. First, the iconic chair is made with an all-steel frame, and the slats should fit together perfectly with no gaps or visible screws.
The stamp on the frame should contain the name “Breuer” in all capital letters, or the hallmarks “ Marcel Breuer,” “Marcel Breuer Design,” or “Marcel Breuer, Licensed Design. ” Additionally, the seat material, typically a webbing, will be made of double-belted or triple-belted horeshair webbing.
If the manufacturer plaque is still intact, it should include words such as “Gavina,” “Cantor & Goldberg,” or “Isokon. ” Lastly, all real Marcel Breuer chairs will have a solid piece of bentwood in the seat’s center.
This trademark “bend” is designed to add extra strength to the chair itself. All of these features combined should be reliable evidence that the chair is the real deal.
Is my Cesca chair real?
It is difficult to answer that question without seeing the chair in person. Cesca chairs are often produced with high quality and inspiration from the original designs of Marcel Breuer and his associates in the Thonet Company of the 1920s.
First, inspect the construction of the chair. Cesca chairs are often made from tubular steel with a curved, cantilevered design; the materials and shape of the chair can help you determine if it is a genuine Cesca chair.
Second, inspect the mechanisms associated with the chair, such as the swivel mechanism and gas lift height adjustment lever. These features should be of high quality and of the same design present in the original Cesca chairs.
Lastly, some Cesca chairs have been custom constructed and updated from their original designs to include modern features. If the chair appears to have custom parts, you can contact the manufacturer or the seller to inquire if the chair is a genuine Cesca chair.
Where is the Cesca chair manufactured?
The Cesca chair is manufactured and designed by Italian designer Marcel Breuer in 1928. In the 1950s the Thonet Company of Germany, which specializes in traditional and modern wooden furniture, began mass production of the Cesca chair.
The chairs are still manufactured and distributed in Europe as well as North America and everywhere around the world. In Europe, the chairs are manufactured from wood that is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
The frames are chromed or painted and the cane seat is hand woven. The Cesca chair has become iconic for its structural and aesthetic integrity, with some viewing it as a symbol of modern design.
Are Cesca chairs made in Italy?
Yes, Cesca chairs are made in Italy. Established in 1928, Cesca was designed by Italian designer Marcel Breuer, who was inspired by the traditional Viennese Steinhof chair. Since then, Cesca chairs have been made and manufactured in the same Italian facilities in Italy for over 80 years.
The chairs are handcrafted from the finest quality elm, beech, and walnut woods and are upholstered with fine Italian fabrics. Cesca chairs are highly durable, with a distinct design that gives them a classic and luxurious look that can be found in homes, offices, and restaurant all around the world.
Why the Cesca chair is so popular?
The Cesca chair is a classic piece of mid-century modern furniture that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The sleek, stylish design appeals to many, as it is a timeless piece that looks just as modern today as it did when it was first developed in 1928.
Its iconic shape and curves make it the perfect piece of furniture to add to any modern home or office.
The Cesca chair’s popularity can also be attributed to its ergonomic design and comfort. It has a large, curved backrest and low, curved arms that provide an ideal support position for the spine. The seat is curved with a wide base, and the frame is made with a durable metal that is often upholstered for additional comfort.
The Cesca chair is highly customizable, as it’s available in a variety of modern fabric and leather coverings to match any interior design scheme. This allows it to seamlessly fit with any style, from classic to contemporary.
Finally, the Cesca chair is an affordable option for those looking for an iconic piece of furniture that won’t break the bank. Its classic yet modern design makes it a popular choice for those looking to add a chic and timeless piece to their homes.
Why is it called Cesca chair?
The Cesca chair is named after its designers, Marcel Breuer and Mart Stam. Breuer and Stam were two architects who were heavily influenced by the Bauhaus movement which sought to create a marriage between art and design.
They sought to bridge the gap between industrial production methods and contemporary design. The Cesca chair, is their most famous work and is considered an influential design that has stood the test of time.
The name ‘Cesca’ is derived from Breuer’s daughter, Francesca, the name ‘Cesca’ is an affectionate form of her name. Breuer was particularly proud of the design, because it was so innovative and versatile.
The chair has no nails or screws and only bends and wooden joints hold it together. This makes it streamlined and efficient compared to other chairs of the time.
The Cesca chair also features a unique cantilever design. This design enables it to evenly distribute the weight of the person sitting in it, making it extremely comfortable to sit on. The chair is still in production today and is considered an iconic piece of design.
Over the years the chair has been re-imagined with various modern features, such as covers, different materials and styles, but the basic shape and concept remains the same.
Where are Breuer chairs made?
Breuer chairs are made in factories located across Europe and North America, with the bulk of production taking place in Italy. Breuer chairs are designed and manufactured by a variety of companies, but the production process typically involves the use of materials like plastic, metal, and fabric that are sourced from different suppliers.
The manufacturing process used to create the chairs involves combining these materials through welding and shaping to create unique and stylish designs. At the end of the process, the chairs are either painted or stained to add a further layer of customization.
The end product is a comfortable, stylish, and durable chair that is perfect for any setting.
