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    Bertoia Side Chair

    Harry Bertoia  1952

    How To Purchase

    Harry Bertoia’s delicately industrial wire side chairs are among the most recognized achievements of mid-century modern design. Like Saarinen and Mies, Bertoia found sublime grace in an industrial material, elevating it beyond its normal utility into a work of art. The entire 1952 wire collection is an astounding study in space, form and function by one of the master sculptors of the last century and a proud part of the Knoll heritage.

    Knoll Harry Bertoia Wire Chair history

    Product story

    Characteristic of the early environment at Knoll, Hans and Florence never demanded that Bertoia design furniture, but instead encouraged him to explore whatever he liked. They simply asked that if he arrived at something interesting, to show them. Bertoia later explained the process:

    “I went around and discovered, quite soon, that I was not the man to do research. My feeling was that had to come from an inward direction. I began to rely once more on my own body. I began to think in terms of what I would like as a chair. It started very slowly…I came into rod or wire, whether bent of straight. I seemed to find myself at home. It was logical to make an attempt utilizing the wire.

    "Once more, I went through the procedure of positioning, considering the possibility of shapes, then relating, of course, what the wire itself could be, what shapes it might take, whether there were any tools to do it with. There are many aspects of the same things coming into one’s mind, but the very first thing was whether a shape would come up that would begin to serve as a chair, sitting on it, etc. One was taking the shape of a side chair; another was beginning to extend to care of the head. This developed to the point where something could be held on to…You know, when you have something in front of you that can really physically be held, it becomes easier to make changes.”

    Harry Bertoia

    Harry Bertoia was a complete and gifted artist and a Knoll collaborator for decades. Today Knoll carries on Harry Bertoia’s legacy of innovation, inspiration and beauty with the Bertoia collection, which has been in continuous production around the world since its introduction. 

    Learn more

    Additional Info

    Construction and Details
    • Seat pad, back pad and full cover available in a range of KnollTextiles 
    • Seat pad available in a range of Spinneybeck® leathers
    • Seat pad and back pad snap on to the frame with domed snap buttons
    • Full cover attaches directly to the frame with hidden mono-filament and metal hooks
    • Seat and base are constructed of welded steel rods with polished or satin chrome finish, or white, black, red, yellow, green, or blue powder coat
    • Powder coat finish suitable for outdoor use
    • Chrome finish is not suitable for outdoor use
    • Plastic glides included on sled base to protect floors
    • Knoll logo stamped into the back of the base
    Sustainable Design and Environmental Certification
    • Learn more about Bertoia Side Chair product certifications and materials at Ecomedes.

    Dimensions

    •   w d h seat h
      420C Bertoia Side Chair 21.75" 19.75" 28.75" 17.75"

    Frame Finish

    Chrome, Polished

    Chrome, Polished
    Chrome, Satin

    Chrome, Satin
    Black

    Black

    White

    White
    Orange Red

    Orange Red
    Yellow

    Yellow
    Blue

    Blue
    Green

    Green

    Two-Tone Frame

    White

    White
    Black

    Black

    Blue

    Blue
    Red

    Red

    Chrome, Polished

    Chrome, Polished

    Environment

    Whitesweep

    Detail

    Configure Bertoia Side Chair

    The configurator below is for reference purposes only. All options, finishes and sizes may not be represented.
    For the complete scope, please refer to the KnollStudio price list.


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    General Info

    Document

    Bertoia Barstool and Side Chair Product Sheet
    Document

    Bertoia Collection
    Document

    KnollStudio Price List Vol 1
    Document

    Ancillary 4-Weeks or Less Program

    3D Symbols

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    Bertoia Side Chair | Sled Base

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    Bertoia Side Chair | Stacking Base

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