An extraordinary lounge chair that combines sculptural elegance with a seating comfort that is as sophisticated as it is unusual. The generously upholstered seat shell, finished in butter-soft black leather, rests within a curved frame of high-gloss chrome-plated tubular steel. Together with the matching ottoman, it forms a striking ensemble that impressively reflects the design language of sophisticated European furniture from the 1970s and 1980s.
The particular quality of this design lies in its refined construction: while the chrome base remains firmly on the floor, the entire seat shell is mounted to move. It allows for a gentle, rocking motion that adapts to the body’s movements, providing an exceptionally relaxed sitting experience. Unlike a classic rocking chair, the base remains completely stationary.
The deeply reclined backrest, the softly rounded armrests, and the deep, lushly padded seat emphasize its distinct lounge character. The accompanying ottoman picks up the elegant lines of the chair and completes the ensemble as a highly comfortable place to rest.
The chair and ottoman are in excellent, well-maintained original condition.
The high-quality black leather is exceptionally soft and supple. Its natural creasing highlights the generous padding and gives the ensemble an inviting, luxurious appearance. There are only minimal signs of wear consistent with age. The matching ottoman is in equally excellent condition.
The sturdy, chrome-plated tubular steel frames impress with their beautiful, uniform shine and high-quality workmanship. Particularly noteworthy is the construction of the chair with its sweeping tubular elements. A black metal connector secures the frame structure while simultaneously providing a striking design contrast to the polished chrome.
The interplay of solid-looking tubular steel, soft leather, and the movable seat shell gives this chair a special quality that is immediately perceptible both visually and when seated.
The ensemble bears the original manufacturer label of WK Möbel, a traditional German furniture brand with origins dating back to 1912.
Over the course of the 20th century, WK Möbel established itself as a significant provider of high-quality residential furniture and sophisticated interior design concepts. The brand stood for meticulous craftsmanship, select materials, and modern design that combined contemporary design movements with durable furniture quality.
In the second half of the 20th century in particular, high-quality upholstered furniture and sophisticated seating constructions were part of its characteristic range. The combination of comfort, technical refinement, and elegant design language is also reflected in this extraordinary lounge chair.
The design of the chair is attributed to the Swiss architect and designer Robert Haussmann (1931–2021). Final confirmation of authorship based on historical manufacturer documentation is still pending.
Robert Haussmann is one of the most important figures in post-war Swiss design. Together with his wife, Trix Haussmann, he developed an independent design language that combined functional construction with a distinct architectural and aesthetic stance.
His furniture designs are often characterized by precise lines, innovative structural solutions, and the conscious combination of different materials. His work with chrome-plated tubular steel and high-quality upholstery is particularly exemplary of an elegant, technically sophisticated design approach.
The curved tubular steel construction, the generous leather padding, and the unusual mobility of the seat shell show clear design parallels to Haussmann's design language.
