Not on display

Chair

ca. 1953 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This chair by the American designer Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) was made by hand. The modern technique of welded wire mesh can be seen in his work for his Diamond chair for adults and this toddler's chair. Bertoia was fascinated with metal and used this to develop wire furniture, comparing them with sculptures.

The chair was acquired for the 2010 exhibition 'Sit Down: Seating for Kids' and used in the time line to highlight changing materials and techniques in childrens design over the past 400 years.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Metal and vinyl
Brief description
Side chair designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll in about 1953
Physical description
The chair has a white seat and black legs. The seat and back of the chair is made from a wire mesh in a lattice pattern. The metal black legs are then attached in a simple frame.
Dimensions
  • Height: 51.2cm
  • Width: 33.4cm
  • Depth: 32cm
Gallery label
Side Chair
About 1953

This innovative chair by the American designer Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) was made by hand.

Bertoia used his fascination for metal to develop wire furniture. He used chromed bent and welded steel in a lattice work for his Diamond chair for adults and this toddler's chair.

Bertoia described his chairs, saying '...you will see that they are mainly made of air, just like light sculpture... space goes clean through them'.
Summary
This chair by the American designer Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) was made by hand. The modern technique of welded wire mesh can be seen in his work for his Diamond chair for adults and this toddler's chair. Bertoia was fascinated with metal and used this to develop wire furniture, comparing them with sculptures.

The chair was acquired for the 2010 exhibition 'Sit Down: Seating for Kids' and used in the time line to highlight changing materials and techniques in childrens design over the past 400 years.
Collection
Accession number
B.205-2009

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Record createdMarch 16, 2010
Record URL
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