Bertoia Diamond Chair by Knoll
Full Cover, Large
designed by Harry Bertoia

The Bertoia Diamond Chair is constructed of steel rods with chrome polish, and a seat cushion that attaches to the chair with lock snaps. Famed artist and sculptor Harry Bertoia created his line of home seating after a series of artistic experiments with bent metal and negative space. The result were some of the most beautiful, striking chairs ever created, and their enduring popularity and unceasing production (the Bertoia chairs have been produced without cessation for more than half a century) represents that rarest, most cherished marriage: critical and artistic breakthrough combined with public approval.

The Diamond Chair is paradoxical, and intentionally so. The steel rods that bend and join to create it's shape and frame are criss-crossed over each other in a beguiling and optically elusive pattern that bends in several directions while keeping it's symmetry. Another paradox is that it's a chair full of holes: the composition of the chair is given over mostly to space. Another paradox: while composed entirely of bent steel, the chair is very comfortable, another reason it has enjoyed such enduring popularity.

Winner of the American Certificate of Merit, 1955, the Bertoia Diamond Lounge chair is the top of the line for fine, modern, art-centric furniture.

Some fabrics are suitable for limited outside use with proper preventative maintenance and care.

Customer's own material may be used upon approval.

Many additional fabric lines are available upon request. Please call a Smart Furniture salesperson at 888-467-6278 to get started!

Design

About the Designer

Harry Bertoia was a complete and gifted artist. Knoll historian Brian Lutz once said “Bertoia’s paintings were better than his sculptures. And his sculptures were better than his furniture. And his furniture was absolutely brilliant.” After studying at the Detroit Technical High School and the Detroit School of Arts and Crafts, Harry Bertoia opened his own metal workshop at Cranbrook where he taught jewelry design and metal work. In 1946 he moved to California to help fellow Cranbrook alumnus Charles Eames develop methods of laminating and bending plywood. Bertoia’s contributions to the famous Eames chairs were crucial if not not well known.

About the Manufacturer