Decorating
Iconic Designs: Harry Bertoia’s Five Wire Chairs
The furniture designer and sculptor produced a series of chairs in the early 1950s that have gone on to become a revered collection
This series takes a look at some of the most famous and cherished designs of the past century. From classic chairs to statement lighting, discover the backstory to some of the design world’s most recognisable pieces and browse ways to use them in modern settings.
Harry Bertoia (1915 to 1978) was an Italian-born American furniture designer. In 1937, he attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan on a scholarship, where he studied alongside designers and architects such as Walter Gropius, Eero Saarinen and Ray and Charles Eames. Bertoia designed a single series of furniture in his lifetime – his five wire chairs. Despite producing just a single collection, they have become a staple in modern interiors and he is regarded as one of the great designers of the 20th century.
Harry Bertoia (1915 to 1978) was an Italian-born American furniture designer. In 1937, he attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan on a scholarship, where he studied alongside designers and architects such as Walter Gropius, Eero Saarinen and Ray and Charles Eames. Bertoia designed a single series of furniture in his lifetime – his five wire chairs. Despite producing just a single collection, they have become a staple in modern interiors and he is regarded as one of the great designers of the 20th century.
The result of his time in Pennsylvania was his five wire chairs, which were all made from welded steel mesh. At a time when almost all other furniture designers were focusing on materials such as wood and plastic, his creations were unique, bold and highly innovative.
The collection for Knoll went into production in 1952 and has continued to be manufactured by the company ever since. The five designs have become some of the most popular chairs of the past 70 years.
The collection for Knoll went into production in 1952 and has continued to be manufactured by the company ever since. The five designs have become some of the most popular chairs of the past 70 years.
Bertoia approached his furniture design in the same way he did his sculpture, and said of his work, ‘If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right through them.’
After designing his series of wire chairs, he moved away from furniture design to concentrate on sculpture and art.
Take a look at Arne Jacobsen’s iconic Egg chair
After designing his series of wire chairs, he moved away from furniture design to concentrate on sculpture and art.
Take a look at Arne Jacobsen’s iconic Egg chair
Bertoia Diamond chair
The shape of the Diamond chair is birdlike and elegant, making it an interesting addition to any room. As with all of the chairs, it can be covered or left exposed. In this room, the white covering of the chair and footstool contrast with the black frame to create a chic, monochrome feel.
The shape of the Diamond chair is birdlike and elegant, making it an interesting addition to any room. As with all of the chairs, it can be covered or left exposed. In this room, the white covering of the chair and footstool contrast with the black frame to create a chic, monochrome feel.
Bertoia Side chair
The Side chair can be spotted in homes across Houzz and is one of the most recognised chairs of midcentury design. The transparency makes it lightweight, with the strong lines simultaneously making it stand out.
See how to choose the perfect dining chair
The Side chair can be spotted in homes across Houzz and is one of the most recognised chairs of midcentury design. The transparency makes it lightweight, with the strong lines simultaneously making it stand out.
See how to choose the perfect dining chair
Bertoia Bar stool
The wire Bar stool offers height without compromising on style. The silver steel frame gives a further dimension to the metallic feel of this room. Bent steel rods rest on top of four long, straight legs, making this stool effortlessly elegant.
The wire Bar stool offers height without compromising on style. The silver steel frame gives a further dimension to the metallic feel of this room. Bent steel rods rest on top of four long, straight legs, making this stool effortlessly elegant.
Bertoia Bird chair
The talents of a metal sculptor are on full display in the Bird chair. It’s ergonomic design is interesting, quirky and artistic. The grey cover works perfectly with the colour scheme of this room, while the wire frame adds another texture that gives depth to the design. The Bird chair is a testament to Bertoia’s ingenuity and creativity.
The talents of a metal sculptor are on full display in the Bird chair. It’s ergonomic design is interesting, quirky and artistic. The grey cover works perfectly with the colour scheme of this room, while the wire frame adds another texture that gives depth to the design. The Bird chair is a testament to Bertoia’s ingenuity and creativity.
Bertoia Asymmetric Lounge chair
The Asymmetric Lounge chair was designed by Bertoia in 1952 along with the rest of the collection, but it wasn’t released, and didn’t make it past prototypical form. In 2005, however, Knoll worked with the Bertoia family to put the chair into full production. It quickly became a celebrated piece of furniture, and a staple for lovers of midcentury design.
TELL US…
Which of Harry Bertoia’s five pieces is your favourite? We would love to read why in the Comments below.
The Asymmetric Lounge chair was designed by Bertoia in 1952 along with the rest of the collection, but it wasn’t released, and didn’t make it past prototypical form. In 2005, however, Knoll worked with the Bertoia family to put the chair into full production. It quickly became a celebrated piece of furniture, and a staple for lovers of midcentury design.
TELL US…
Which of Harry Bertoia’s five pieces is your favourite? We would love to read why in the Comments below.
While at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bertoia became interested in metalwork, and within a couple of years he was heading up his own department, where he taught jewellery design and metalwork.
He relocated to California in 1946 to help Charles Eames develop pieces using plywood, but was unsatisfied with the collaboration.
In 1950, Bertoia was approached by another classmate from Cranbrook, Florence Knoll, who asked him to move out to Pennsylvania to set up his own studio space in the corner of their production studio. He was given great freedom by Florence and her husband, Hans Knoll, to design and create as he pleased. The couple had great faith that he would produce something brilliant if he were given the freedom to do so.