Skip to main content

Harry Bertoia Seating

American, Italian, 1915-1978

Sculptor, furniture and jewelry designer, graphic artist and metalsmith, Harry Bertoia was one of the great cross-disciplinarians of 20th-century art and design and a central figure in American mid-century modernism. Among furniture aficionados, Bertoia is known for his chairs such as the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952.

As an artist, he is revered for a style that was his alone. Bertoia’s metal sculptures are by turns expressive and austere, powerful and subtle, intimate in scale and monumental. All embody a tension between the intricacy and precision of Bertoia’s forms and the raw strength of his materials: steel, brass, bronze and copper.

Fortune seemed to guide Bertoia’s artistic development. Born in northeastern Italy, Bertoia immigrated to the United States at age 15, joining an older brother in Detroit. He studied drawing and metalworking in the gifted student program at Cass Technical High School. Recognition led to awards that culminated, in 1937, in a teaching scholarship to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Bloomfield Hills, one of the great crucibles of modernism in America

At Cranbrook, Bertoia made friendships — with architect Eero Saarinen, designers Charles and Ray Eames and Florence Schust Knoll and others — that shaped the course of his life. He taught metalworking at the school, and when materials rationing during World War II limited the availability of metals, Bertoia focused on jewelry design. He also experimented with monotype printmaking, and 19 of his earliest efforts were bought by the Guggenheim Museum.

In 1943, he left Cranbrook to work in California with the Eameses, helping them develop their now-famed plywood furniture. (Bertoia received scant credit.) Late in that decade, Florence and Hans Knoll persuaded him to move east and join Knoll Inc. His chairs became and remain perennial bestsellers. Royalties allowed Bertoia to devote himself full-time to metal sculpture, a medium he began to explore in earnest in 1947.

By the early 1950s Bertoia was receiving commissions for large-scale works from architects — the first came via Saarinen — as he refined his aesthetic vocabulary into two distinct skeins. One comprises his “sounding sculptures” — gongs and “Sonambient” groupings of rods that strike together and chime when touched by hand or by the wind. The other genre encompasses Bertoia’s naturalistic works: abstract sculptures that suggest bushes, flower petals, leaves, dandelions or sprays of grass. 

As you will see on these pages, Harry Bertoia was truly unique; his art and designs manifest a wholly singular combination of delicacy and strength.

Find vintage Harry Bertoia sculptures, armchairs, benches and other furniture and art on 1stDibs.

to
4
28
5
29
4
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
11
13
1
5
2
4
1
18
13
29
4
17
11
3
8
5
4
1
33
20
15
11
7
27
27
4
2
1
33
33
33
134
447
306
216
193
Creator: Harry Bertoia
Search Within: Side
1950s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bertoia Side / Dining Chair
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bertoia Two Tone side chair, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1950s. The design is comprised of...
Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

1990s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Wire Dining / Side Chair
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Wire Dining Side Chair designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, originally introduced in 1952. This particular example was produced in the 1990s and features a welded steel wir...
Category

1990s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Harry Bertoia for Knoll Black Wire Side Chair
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Harry Bertoia for Knoll Black Side Chair No label present. Black Metal with original vinyl cushion. Visible use and wear. Dimensions: 30 h x 20.75 w x 22.75...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal

Early Pair Harry Bertoia Molded Fiberglass Shell Side Chairs for Knoll, Labeled
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Matched Pair molded fiberglass shell side chairs designed by Harry Bertoia and manufactured by Knoll. Originally debuted in 1960, this very early set is from 1966 ,Classic modernist ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Iron

2011 Pair of Harry Bertoia for Knoll Wire Dining Side Chairs with Full Pads
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of classic Bertoia Side Chairs, Model 420c, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. This particular pair dates to 2011. Their design cons...
Category

2010s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1980s Set of Six Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining Side Chairs with Full Cushions
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six Bertoia Side Chairs, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to the 1980s. Their design consists of ...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

2000s Set of Five Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining / Side Chairs w/ Blue Cushions
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of five Bertoia Side Chairs, Model 420C, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples were produced in the 2000s. The...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

1980s Pair of Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining/Side Chairs in White with Red Pads
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Bertoia Side Chairs, designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These particular examples date to the 1980s. Their design consists of welded steel r...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Early Set of Four Harry Bertoia Molded Shell Side Chairs for Knoll, Labeled
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Set of four molded shell side chairs designed by Harry Bertoia and manufactured by Knoll. Originally debuted in 1960, this very early set is from 1963 and...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal

1950s Set of Four Harry Bertoia for Knoll Child Size Side Chair No. 425-N
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four Child's Bertoia Side Chair with seat cushion, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1955. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1...
Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

2021 Pair of Knoll Bertoia Side Chairs in Steel w/ Full Seat Covers in Fabric
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of classic Bertoia side chairs, model 420c, originally designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. This particular pair dates to 2021. The listed price ...
Category

2010s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1960s Pair of Harry Bertoia for Knoll Childs Chairs in White
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Child's Bertoia Side Chairs, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1955. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1960s. The design is c...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Knoll Bertoia Diamond Chair in Matte Black
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Stamford, CT
Renowned sculptor Harry Bertoia was invited by Florence Knoll to explore how his artistic experiments might translate into furniture design. There was no specific brief, only an open...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

1960s Harry Bertoia for Knoll Small Diamond Chair with Fabric Upholstery
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bertoia Small Diamond Chair, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1960s. The chair's design is comp...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

2013 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Small Diamond Lounge Chair in Chrome w/ Fabric Seat
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bertoia Small Diamond lounge chair, originally designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the USA circa 2013. The chair is made of ...
Category

2010s American Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Set of 6 Knoll Bertoia Side Chairs
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 classic Knoll dining chairs by Harry Bertoia. Welded steel with rods in a matte white finish. Original yellow vinyl seat cushions with dated labels included. Good vintage c...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Set of 6 Bertoia Wire Side Chair with Upholstered Shell for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Oceanside, US
Set of 6 Harry Bertoia Side Chairs for Knoll, USA, Late 1960s–1970s A set of six iconic Side Chairs designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952 and produced by Knoll International in the Unit...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Wire

Vintage Pair of White Bertoia Side Chairs with Alligator Cushions
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury white powder-coated steel side chairs by Bertoia, with alligator cushions.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Pair of Mid-Century Knoll Studio Steel Side Chairs Pads Harry Bertoia 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Portland, OR
Great pair of Mid Century Modern Harry Bertoia side Chairs by Knoll, Inc. Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952, an iconic mid-century modern design. Bertoia created sublime grace from...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Original 1960s Set of Six Harry Bertoia Side Chairs with Full Seat Covers
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous set was acquired from an original owner who bought the set of six chairs in 1968 from Knoll and I have a copy of the receipts. The chairs are covered in the original re...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

Harry Bertoia side chairs by Knoll with original upholstery, mint 1970 s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Harry Bertoia side chairs by Knoll International, 1978 Two available, price is per chair. With original blue upholstery. Manufacturer's label dated 1978. New internal foam...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Chrome

3 Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Wire Side Chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll Int
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Timeless and fabulous design by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. Set of 3 classic beauties with full leather pads for seats and backs. All labeled and in very good condition wi...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Pair of Model 420, Side Chairs with White Metal Frame by Harry Bartoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two Model 420 side chairs by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Early edition with white metal frame and black seat pad.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Dining Chairs designed by Harry BERTOIA for Knoll International, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Berlin, Berlin
A set of black and white Side Chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia. U.S.A., Knoll International, 1970s. Vintage set of side chairs with burnt orange-coloured velvet pads. The Bertoia S...
Category

1950s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal

Five Harry Bertoia Chrome Wire Dining Chairs by Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in San Mateo, CA
Set of five Harry Bertoia side chairs manufactured by Knoll. These chairs date to around 1970. They have a chrome finish. The chairs have black vinyl seat pads. The pads are Knoll re...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Chrome

1961 Harry Bertoia for Knoll Bird Chair and Ottoman w/ Original Receipt
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Bird lounge chair and coordinating ottoman, models 423LU/424YU, initially designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll in 1952. This chair and ottoman were originally purc...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

1986 Pair of Harry Bertoia for Knoll Dining Chairs with Original Full Pads
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of classic Bertoia side chairs, model 420C, designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These chairs have welded steel basket seats and retain their ori...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Knoll Bertoia Bar Stool with Beautiful Original Cushion, 1970
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Oirlo, LI
Knoll Bertoia bar stool with beautiful original cushion, 1970 The Bertoia side chair is available with a seat cushion. The frame is a welded steel ...
Category

1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Chrome

Bertoia, Eight White Welded Steel Chairs with Four Red Cushions
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
SALE ONE WEEK ONLY This set of eight side chairs & four red cushions are as elegant, strong and functional as when they were manufactured. The colors are bright and the cushions are in very good condition. The chairs will add a touch of class to any setting. Harry Bertoia's career began in the 1930s as a student at Cranbrook Academy of Art where he re-established the metal-working studio and later became head of the department before the school closed during WWII due to wartime restrictions on materials in 1943. During the war, Bertoia moved to California and is credited with developing new techniques for molding plywood with Charles and Ray Eames also from Cranbrook. Harry Bertoia is one of the many well-known artists and designers who attended The Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, The school & buildings were designed by architect and faculty member, Eliel Saarinen who collaborated with Charles and Ray Eames on chair and furniture design. It is the country’s top ranked, graduate-only program in architecture, design and fine art. Each year, just 75 students are invited to study and live on the landmark Saarinen-designed campus which features: private studios, state-of-the art workshops, the renowned Cranbrook Art Museum and 300 acres of forests, lakes and streams, all a short drive from the city of Detroit. The focus at Cranbrook is on studio practice in one of ten disciplines including Architecture, 2D and 3D Design, Ceramics, Fiber, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Print Media, and Sculpture. The program is anchored by celebrated Artists- and Designers-in-Residence, one for each discipline, all of whom live and practice on campus alongside the graduate students. Numerous creative artists who are alumni of Cranbrook include: Florence Knoll, Jack Lenor Larsen, Donald Lipski, Duane Hanson, Nick Cave, Hani Rashid, George Nelson, Urban Jupena (Nationally recognized fiber artist), Artis Lane (the first African-American artist to have her sculpture, "Sojourner Truth," commissioned for the Emancipation Hall in the Capital Visitor Center in Washington DC), Cory Puhlman (televised Pastry Chef extraordinaire), Thom O’Connor (Lithographs), Paul Evans (Brutalist-inspired sculpted metal furnishings), Eugene Caples (small bronze images/abstract), Morris Brose (Bronze Sculptures), Herb Babcock (blown glass), Larry Butcher (mixed media), Lauren Anais Hussey (Abstract), Andrea Eis (film, photography), Lilian Swann Saarinen (Sculpture), Douglas Semivan...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Set of matching Bertoia side, or dining, chairs in chrome with original white pad seat covers. This nice set is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition, the only cav...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Chrome

1970s MCM Knoll Poppy Orange Wool Chrome Bertoia Diamond Armchair
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
This listing is for a highly sought after, Classic, authentic custom made orange wool full cover Knoll Bertoia Diamond chair. **The textile...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Chrome

Harry Bertoia Mid-Century Modern Vintage Four White Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Vienna, AT
Bertoia Mid-Century Modern vintage set of 4 dining chair or side chair, which show a white coated metal construction. This iconic design by Harry Bertoia was designed in the 1950s an...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Metal

Pair of Bertoia child s chairs by Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Highland, IN
The classic Bertoia wire chair was produced in the standard size for adults, but also in two smaller sizes for children. This pair is the larger of the two kid's sizes. They were often marketed with the Noguchi cyclone side table as a diminutive version of the dinette set to be used as a child's activity table...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Seating

Materials

Steel

Harry Bertoia seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Harry Bertoia seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Harry Bertoia seating, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Harry Bertoia were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Charles Eames, Selig, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Harry Bertoia seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $650 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,016.
Questions About Harry Bertoia Seating
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Whether or not a Harry Bertoia chair is comfortable really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but there are a lot of positive reviews pertaining to how comfortable the Italian-born American designer’s seating is. Among furniture aficionados he is known for the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952. Shop a selection of Bertoia chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed