Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Barcelona Chair
Replica
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe & Lilly Reich
1929
Few designs have been as enduring as that of the Barcelona chair. The iconic piece has reached cult status and remains as fresh and contemporary today as when it was released more than 90 years ago. Inspired by classical forms which can be traced back to 1500BC, the scissor-shaped steel frame design has a strong historical association with seats of power. The Barcelona chair is a favourite in the homes of architects and purists in design and remains one of the most collectible and desirable furniture pieces of the 20th century.
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“Fit for a King.”
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Designed not to be a chair, but a “monumental object” for display at the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition (aka the World Fair), the Barcelona Chair was used as a throne for King Alfonso XIII at the exhibition’s opening ceremonies. It became famous overnight.
In “From Bauhaus to Our House,” Tom Wolfe mused that owning a Barcelona chair was a necessity and right of passage for young architects if they were serious about their craft.
In popular culture, James Bond owns one in Casino Royale, as does Tony Starke in Iron Man 2.
It has featured in the TV Series Suits and in feature films such as Tron: Legacy, Batman vs Superman, American Psycho and Justice League
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Classic Comfort
The seat has the width of nearly two standard chairs, giving a feeling of space and stateliness. The cantilevered frame and characteristic leather straps give way slightly under the weight of the individual and together with the 150 mm thick urethane sponge, comfort is a given. The low seat height, slanted slightly backward, allows the individual to relax and unwind.
Quality and Craftsmanship
The seamless stainless steel frame is chromed and buffed. Top grain Italian leather is hand tufted and the leather buttons are hand sewn, as are the seventeen leather straps. Despite its industrial look, each piece requires much hand craftsmanship and takes around thirty hours to manufacture.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich met around 1925 through their involvement in the Werkbund. It is claimed that they had not only a professional relationship but a personal one for more than a dozen years. Although some do not recognise Reich’s role in the design of the Barcelona chair, it would be wrong to do so. In fact, she was probably the creative force behind their collaborations on furniture and the MoMA now credits her first and van der Rohe second. She also collaborated with van der Rohe in co-designing the Barcelona pavilion (in the course of which the Barcelona chair was designed). It is telling that Mies did not design any furniture before or after their collaboration ended in 1938.
“A chair is a very difficult object.”
Mies van der Rohe on the Barcelona chair, claiming a skyscraper is easier to design
Product Literature
Top grain Italian leather covers the two cushions. The tufted look is achieved from hand welting the individual panels. The chrome plated stainless steel frame is built to last. The frame’s seamless design is achieved by placing the aluminum rivets at the back and using the supple leather straps as cover. Our reproduction of the Barcelona chair stays true to the original design and specifications – with the exceptions that for comfort, we use 150mm urethane cushioning instead of horse hair and bovine leather in the place of pigskin.
Product Materials
Frame: Chrome plated stainless steel
Chair upholstery: Supple top-grain Italian leather – this is a natural product and variance may occur
Chair padding: 150mm thick urethane foam cushions
Ottoman frame: Chrome plated stainless steel
Ottoman upholstery: Supple top-grain Italian leather. Leather is a natural product – some variation may occur
Ottoman padding: 150mm urethane foam cushion
Product Dimensions
Height: 75cm
Width: 75cm
Length: 75cm
Seat Height: 43cm
Carrying capacity: 130kg
Weight as shipped: 23kg
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.
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.