Wassily Chair (originally known as the Model B3 chair)
Seating (Armchair / Club Chair) · Modernist / Bauhaus Style (c. 1925 - 1926) · Designed by Marcel Breuer; manufacturing likely by Knoll International (official) or one of many 20th-century licensed/unlicensed replicators.
Type
Seating (Armchair / Club Chair)
Style Period
Modernist / Bauhaus Style (c. 1925 - 1926)
Material
Polished chrome-plated tubular steel frame with leather or 'Eisengarn' fabric slings, featuring heavy chocolate brown leather in this instance.
Age Estimate
Late 20th century (c. 1970–1990) based on the leather wear, peeling chrome, and the specific stitching/reinforcement visible in the damage.
Dimensions
Standard dimensions for this chair are approximately 28.25" H x 31" W x 27.25" D; the image displays the seat/back transition which is standard scale.
Origin
Design originated in Dessau, Germany, at the Bauhaus workshop. Current production is primarily out of Italy (for Knoll) or various international manufacturers.
Designer/Maker
Designed by Marcel Breuer; manufacturing likely by Knoll International (official) or one of many 20th-century licensed/unlicensed replicators.
Value Estimate
In this damaged condition, $100–$300 for a replica or $600–$800 for an authentic Knoll needing restoration. Mint authentic pieces retail for $3,000+.
Description
An icon of Modernist design, the Wassily chair was the first furniture piece to utilize bent tubular steel, inspired by the frame of a bicycle. The design strips the traditional club chair to its skeletal essence, using taught bands of leather to support the body in space, creating a visual lightness that transformed interior design.
Key Features
Cantilevered tubular steel frame, geometric non-continuous lines, tensioned leather straps, and characteristic domed end caps on the frame terminals.
Color & Finish
High-polish chrome-plated finish on the metal frame; deep chocolate brown leather with a semi-gloss sheen and visible surface cracking.
Construction Method
Machine-manufactured; features a bent tubular steel frame that was revolutionary for its era, utilizing seamless steel tubing without joints or visible welding in higher-end versions.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Bent-metal construction; the leather strips are looped and stitched around the tubular frame. Note the visible white interior reinforcement exposed where the leather is tearing.
Wood Grain & Species
None (Metal and Leather construction only).
Surface Treatment
Electroplated chrome finish for corrosion resistance and mirror-like reflection; leather is dyed and top-coated for a rich brown color.
Upholstery Details
Suspended leather slings (eisengarn leather) with perimeter stitching; the material is tensioned over the frame through looped ends held by internal bars or stitches.
Hardware & Fittings
Domed chrome end caps on the tubular steel cylinders; exposed metal frame members serve as the primary structural support.
Origin & Provenance
Design originated in Dessau, Germany, at the Bauhaus workshop. Current production is primarily out of Italy (for Knoll) or various international manufacturers.
Condition Notes
Fair to Poor. Significant structural failure in the leather slings with heavy tearing and exposure of the core material. Chrome finish shows signs of pitting and wear. Leather surface shows deep cracking.
Interesting Facts
The chair was named after painter Wassily Kandinsky, who was Breuer's colleague at the Bauhaus; Kandinsky so admired the prototype that Breuer made a second one for the painter's private quarters.
Cultural Significance
One of the most important designs of the 20th century, it signaled the shift from heavy, stuffed Victorian furniture to the 'Machine Age' aesthetic, prioritizing industrially produced materials and structural honesty.
Similar Pieces
LC2 Petit Modele Armchair (Le Corbusier), which uses a similar cage-like tube structure but with thick cushions rather than tensioned slings.
Care & Maintenance
Clean chrome with a soft dry cloth and specialized metal polish; leather requires immediate professional repair for the tears and regular conditioning with leather cream to prevent further cracking.
Value Estimate
In this damaged condition, $100–$300 for a replica or $600–$800 for an authentic Knoll needing restoration. Mint authentic pieces retail for $3,000+.
Sustainability Notes
Metal components are highly recyclable. Authentic versions are designed for lifelong durability, though leather fatigue eventually requires replacement slings, extending the life of the metal frame.