Eero Aarnio
Ball Chair
Replica
Eero Aarnio
1963
One of the most beloved and famous examples of Finnish design, the Ball Chair debuted at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne, Germany, in 1966 and was an overnight sensation – even appearing on the evening news. In one week it sold to more than 30 countries and launched Aarnio’s reputation as an icon of pop design. Now widely recognised as an iconic piece of furniture, it has featured in several movies, music videos and magazine covers. The design is futuristic and fun, and remarkable in that it is still regarded as futuristic and fresh more than 40 years after its initial release. The pod-like shell is intended to be a “room within a room” and creates a cheerful bubble of privacy and security. The chamber blocks out outside sounds, yet amplifies those that come from within the space of the globe. The piece adds a playful twist to any room.
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“One of the coolest pieces of furniture around.”
FilmAndFurniture.com
The Ball Chair is on permanent display in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Helsinki’s Design Museum, Paris’s Musée National d’Art Moderne, and Montreal’s Museum of Decorative Arts of Montreal.
It has featured in the TV Series The Prisoner (1967) and feature films such as Tommy (1975), Dazed and Confused (1993) and Mars Attacks! (1996)
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All-Enveloping Comfort
Designed to be “room within a room”, the interior upholstery consists of 5 panels, a seat and back cushion. The seat and back cushions are removable. The seat and backrests are made from plush, thick polyurethane foam (150mm). The upholstery is the finest quality Kvadrat fabric.
Quality and Craftsmanship
The shell of the pod is made from durable fiberglass and has a gelcoat finish which is smooth to the touch. The base is made from strong but lightweight aluminium. The high-quality swivel base has a ball-bearing mechanism which ensures smooth rotation and superior durability.
Eero Aarnio is considered a great innovator of modern design. Born in Helsinki, Finland in 1932, he studied at the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki and graduated in 1957. A true artist, he worked as an interior decorator, photographer, industrial and graphic designer before he began working with plastic as a medium for high-end furniture. He opened his own design office in Helsinki in 1962, and soon after introduced the design of the Ball chair, with which he went on to achieve international success. Aarnio favours bright colours that pop and there is an element of humour and fun in his designs. His work is bold, imaginative, playful and appeals universally to young and old. He is rightly acknowledged as a master of design by almost every important design and modern art museum in the world.
“Since I tend to simplify things, I removed all the corners.”
Eero Aarnio on the design of the Ball Chair
Product Literature
The shell is molded from fiberglass and coated with a gelcoat finish. The base is made from aluminium and is fitted with a ball-bearing swivel mechanism. Polyurethane foam cushioning is cut and fastened to the interior of the ball shape. The cushioning is 100mm thick polyurethane foam. The upholstery is the finest quality Kvadrat Tonus 4 Red 130 (90% New wool,10% Helanca) or Kvadrat Hallingdal 65 (70% New wool, 30% Viscose). Both varieties have a Martindale durability test score rating of 100 000 rubs, Pilling: 3, Lightfastness: 6). Our reproduction of the Ball chair stays true to the original specifications.
Product Materials
Frame: Fiberglass shell with gelcoat finish
Upholstery: Kvadrat Tonus 4 Red 130 (90% New wool,10% Helanca) or Kvadrat Hallingdal 65 (70% New wool, 30% Viscose)
Cushioning: 150mm thick Polyurethane foam
Product Dimensions
Height: 120 cm
Width: 110 cm
Depth: 97 cm
Seat height: 42 cm
Carrying capacity: 130kg
Weight as shipped: 47 kg
Note that the Ball chair will fit through a door if the doorway is more than 79 cm wide and there is a clear and unobstructed 127,3 cm path on both sides of the door.
Care Instructions
Leather: Occasionally remove dust from the leather with a damp, lint-free cloth. Small soiled spots can be gently removed with a colourless rubber (eraser). Liquid spills should be immediately dabbed dry and wiped off with a little water. Once a year, the leather should be treated with a special leather care product, but never with any type of strong cleansing agent. Only use quality leather products which do not leave residue. Oily build-up on the leather makes it susceptible to bacteria, which can destroy the leather. Clean the stitching with a soft-bristle brush.
Make sure that your leather furniture is not positioned close to heat sources, so that it does not dry out and become brittle. In addition, we recommend that leather surfaces are not permanently exposed to intense sunlight, because direct sunlight over an extended time period can diminish the quality of the leather.
Leather can be treated occasionally with conditioners to keep it in its original state. Liquid spills should be blotted up immediately, not wiped. For daily cleaning, dust leather with a soft cloth.
Fabric upholstery: Regular cleaning is important in order to keep the fabric looking its best and will prolong its life. Dust and dirt wear down the fabric and also reduce its dirt-retardant properties. Vacuum frequently, ideally every other week, at half power. Wipe the fabric with a dry or moist (but not soaking) cloth. May also be vacuum cleaned with a soft brush. Keep fabric away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.
Stain removal: Act quickly. Remove any liquids with an absorbent napkin or cloth. Gently scrape away any residue with a spoon. Vacuum away any loose particles. Remove non-greasy stains by carefully dabbing with a lint–free cloth or sponge wrung out in warm water. Edge marks can be avoided by dabbing gently in circular motions towards the centre of the stain with a clean lint-free cloth. Remove greasy stains by using appropriate detergents or solvents. Always test stain-removal agents on an inconspicuous area first to see if there is any effect on the fabric.
Allow the fabric to dry fully before resuming use. Low-intensity use of a hairdryer may avoid enduring edge marks.
Professional cleaning: Use a reputable service provider. A pH-neutral carbon dioxide cleaning solution is recommended as it avoids the use of soap. Appropriate maintenance and regular cleaning can prolong the textile’s life. Regular maintenance and cleaning removes dirt before it settles in the fabric and damages the fibers. Upholstered furniture in normal commercial use should be cleaned professionally at least twice a year. Upholstered furniture in private households should be cleaned professionally once a year.
Metal: Do not use an abrasive material on the metal. Clean the item with a mild detergent and water. Dilute in the mild detergent in water so it is not too harsh on the metal. You can dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in the solution or a non-abrasive pad and use it to scrub off any residue or dirt on the item. Scrub the item with a soft toothbrush or a non-abrasive pad. Dry any residual moisture with a soft, dry cloth.
Fiberglass: Can be cleaned using a mild detergent or a glass cleaner with a soft cloth. Do not use hard woven cloths or abrasive cleaning agents.