Before Harry Bertoia made his eponymous furniture collection for Knoll in the early 50s, he was an artist and jewelry maker. He even made the wedding bands for Charles and Ray Eames. But once his gridded metal collection became a hit at Knoll he’s been known first and foremost as a furniture designer.
The most famous of the five pieces he made is, of course, the Diamond chair, a chair that’s more sculpture than traditional seating. In fact, Bertoia noted that “If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculptures. Space passes right through them.” As one of the most important pieces of furniture designed in the 20th century, it’s the Cooper-Hewitt’s Object of the Month for April.
Made from welded steel in polished or satin chrome or bonded rilsan, it’s scratch, chip and chemical resistant. Some of the pieces in the collection include cushions, which are affixed with snaps or feature stretched fabric, pulled taut across the entire front. I wish I could sit in one all month long, but until I upgrade my simple wooden Adirondack deck chairs to something of the midcentury variety, I will continue to gaze longingly at Bertoia’s masterpiece from afar. [ harrybertoia.org ]
about perrin drumm
apache table | konstantin grcic | galerie kreo
Design Miami/ have compiled a “Top Picks” of Design Miami/ 2011, selected by interested and informed tastemakers, collectors and academics.
octopus chair | lee sam woong | gallery seomi
1951 bridge office chair | jean prouvé | galerie patrick seguin
[ design miami/ update 2 ] [ design miami/ update 1 ] [ design miami 2011 ]
1952 harry bertoia side chair / 1956 warren platner dining table
Beginning Friday, those in the market for a designer original can get 15% off the Knoll Space collection. More than 100 midcentury designs will be on sale, including furniture by Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen. The sale runs through 23 September – October 3. You can check for Knoll retailers at [ knoll space ]
preview runs through june 27th 10am – 5pm. auction 28 june 12 pm cst.
wind catcher | isamu noguchi
rocking chasie |richard meier
untitled | harry bertoia
Wright presents the collection of the late John R. Eckel, Jr. at auction on the 28th of June. The works of Harry Bertoia, Paul Evans, Phillip Lloyd Powell, Edward Wormley and Vladimir Kagan figure prominently in this collection. All proceeds from this sale benefit the John R. Eckel, Jr. Foundation.
John R. Eckel, Jr. was a patron of the arts. He was a dedicated and loyal collector with a distinct eye. Eckel acquired works with commitment, generosity and passion to amass a collection that conveyed the breadth and depth of the artists and designers he appreciated most. With more than a dozen works by Paul Evans, including an Argente sculpture and a custom wall-mounted cabinet, more than a half a dozen sculptures by Harry Bertoia, numerous furniture designs by the architect Richard Meier that Eckel had acquired to complement his Meier designed apartment in New York and multiple works by other designers, the collection demonstrates his zeal for building a comprehensive and dedicated assortment of works.
Highlights from the sale include a bundled steel wire sculpture by Harry Bertoia, a rocking chaise by Richard Meier and a three-piece Unicorn sofa set by Vladimir Kagan. A beautiful bush form by Bertoia and a galvanized metal sculpture by Isamu Noguchi also stand out within the collection. James Prestini, Maria Pergay, and Jean Prouvé are just a few of the other artists and designers who captured the eye of John R. Eckel.
The Collection of John R. Eckel Jr. is comprised of more than 100 works of art and design. Each lot is featured in a specialized, full-color auction catalog [ view catalog online ]. Gallery preview runs through June 27th |10am – 5pm | 1440 West Hubbard Street Chicago | 312 563 0020
[ wright auction ]
Auction 28 June 2011 12 pm cst
