Early Bird Chair in Gloss White & Raf Simons Kvadrat Wool Bouclé

At a Glance:
- An early example of Bertoia’s Bird Chair design, fully restored.
- The newly crafted upholstered cover features a Raf Simons designed wool bouclé by Kvadrat.
- The sleek Gloss White coated frame both preserves the chair and complements the cover fabric.
- This iconic Bertoia design offers remarkable comfort.

In-Depth:
The great Harry Bertoia was first and foremost a sculptor, a fact well understood by Florence Knoll. When she approached him to create designs for the Knoll furniture line, she did not request specific products. Instead, the brief was simple: if Bertoia discovered an interesting motif in his sculptural work, he was to share it with Knoll.

Bertoia pursued a form that would conform to the body when sitting. His sculptor’s approach led him to experiment with bent metal rods, resulting in a support structure that appeared visually weightless. To Bertoia, the experience was akin to sitting on air.

One of his most progressive designs is the “Bird Chair”. Its organic presence echoes avian form, from the wing-like sweep of its arms to a headrest that recalls a poised tail. The seat connects to the base through four cylindrical rubber shocks, allowing for a gentle rocking motion when seated.

Our team selected a sleek coated finish in Gloss White to complement the newly crafted upholstered cover in a Raf Simons designed fabric for Kvadrat. The nubby wool bouclé provides an elegant contrast to Bertoia’s wire motif, offering comfort and, with its flecks of white dispersed throughout the blue, pairs perfectly with the white frame.