bertoia bird chair & ottoman by Harry Bertoia
Design Harry Bertoia, 1952
Welded steel rods, upholstery
Made in USA by Knoll
Harry Bertoia's 1950 experiment with bending metal rods into
practical art produced a revered collection of seating, including
the exquisite Bird chair. Innovative, comfortable and strikingly
handsome, the chair's delicate appearance belies its strength and
durability. In Bertoia's own words, "If you look at these chairs,
they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right
through them."
Italian sculptor, university lecturer and furniture designer, Harry
Bertoia was an inventor of form and an enricher of design. He
introduced a new material by turning industrial wire rods into a
design icon. Educated at the Detroit School of Arts & Crafts
and Cranbrook Academy of Art. Bertoia taught metal crafts at
Cranbrook while working with Charles Eames to develop his signature
molded plywood chairs. Eero Saarinen commissioned him to design a
metal sculptured screen for the General Motors Technical Center in
Detroit. His awards include the craftsmanship medal from the
American Institute of Architects, as well as AIA's Gold Medal.
A classic, modern design that enhances any environment, Bertoia's
Bird chair remains a fascinating study in bent metal and a fixture
of mid-century design. Knoll is the only authorized and licensed
manufacturer of the Bertoia Collection which has been in continuous
production since 1952.
chair: 38.5" w | 33" d | 40.25" h | seat: 14.5" h
ottoman: 23.5" w | 17.25" d | 14.5" h
