Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll International, 1990s

Details

Description

B3 wassily chair by marcel breuer for knoll international

designer: marcel breuer (1902–1981)

manufacturer: knoll international / knollstudio

period: 1920s

… Read more B3 wassily chair by marcel breuer for knoll international

designer: marcel breuer (1902–1981)

manufacturer: knoll international / knollstudio

period: 1920s

production date: 1990s

material: chrome-plated tubular steel, white/cream leather

dimensions: 78.5 cm × 65.5 cm × 73.5 cm | seat height: 42.5 cm

condition: good original condition

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designed by marcel breuer in 1925, the b3, now known as the wassily chair, is one of the seminal furniture designs of early modernism. During his time at the bauhaus, breuer systematically transferred a material previously used primarily in industry to furniture design: bent tubular steel. The traditional, solid club chair was transformed into an open structure of lines and freely suspended surfaces—light, transparent, and radically new for its time.

breuer reduced the chair to its structural essentials. The chrome-plated tubular steel frame forms a clear spatial structure within which the leather seat, backrest, and armrests are stretched. There is no solid furniture body; construction and design are immediately visible. This very openness explains why the wassily chair, despite its nearly century-long design history, still possesses a remarkably contemporary presence.

the original model name was b3. The later name "wassily chair" refers to wassily kandinsky, breuer's colleague at the bauhaus, to whom breuer showed the design early on and who became interested in the chair.

after various early production phases, the rights to breuer's furniture designs initially passed to gavina (italy). With the acquisition of the italian company in 1968, the wassily chair passed to knoll, which continues to produce it to this day according to breuer's original specifications.

the example offered here was manufactured by knoll and is marked on the frame with "knollstudio" and marcel breuer's signature. This marking dates the chair to the 1990s. Knoll explicitly uses this stamp to identify and authenticate its wassily chairs. The combination of chrome-plated tubular steel and white leather particularly emphasizes the graphic quality of the design: the light surfaces appear to float almost freely within the open chrome structure.

especially with a design that has been interpreted and copied countless times over the decades, the original manufacturer's attribution carries particular weight. The knollstudio marking directly links this chair to the company that has continued breuer's authorized production since the acquisition of gavina. For collectors, this provides a clearly traceable manufacturer's attribution. In interior design, the wassily chair remains a piece of furniture whose structural lightness and formal clarity still appear remarkably .

condition report

the chair is in generally good original condition, with signs of wear consistent with its age and use. The chrome shows some scratches in a few places, which we have documented as best as possible in the photos. Otherwise, the frame is free of rust and surface rust. It has been carefully cleaned and treated with a special care product to protect the chrome and give it a shine.

the leather has been treated with a high-quality, preservative leather conditioner. This keeps the material supple, protects the surface, and supports the long-term preservation of the leather.

the leather upholstery is firm and taut and shows no signs of wear. The seat remains dimensionally stable and tightly stretched.

overall, the wassily chair displays an authentic patina and the marks of its history. A chair that will bring its new owner many years of enjoyment. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less