Sharp Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair by Knoll
Harry Bertoia was an accomplished sculptor as well as a designer. His unique talents are quickly evident in the iconic 'Diamond' chair. Bertoia designed this chair for Knoll in 1955 and it has since become one of the most coveted icons of modern design. A metal structure meant the chair could be used either indoors or outside and looked right at home in either setting.
The design features an organically shaped lattice seat, contrasted by the sharp angles of a base that embraces it like a polished diamond. Light and elegantly formed, the design illustrates the relationship between form and space.
Each piece is checked and carefully hand restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
Each piece is checked and carefully restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
- Joints checked and reglued
- Timber cleaned and stains removed
- Veneer repairs if needed
- Surfaces polished / refinished
The items showcased in our gallery are constantly changing – not all items are on display at once.
Please enquire if there is a specific piece you would like to view and we’ll make sure it’s in the gallery.
All pieces are available for collection in person from our Ponsonby gallery. We are also happy to provide a quote for delivery throughout New Zealand.
Please enquire for delivery options.
Sharp Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair by Knoll
Note: We showcase a curated edit from the Mr. Bigglesworthy catalogue. Please contact us to view specific items.
His career was that of exploration in multiple disciplines, each informing the other. His furniture is like sculpture; his jewellery, a drawing. Bertoia was born and grew up in Italy. Even as a teen his artistic talent was noticed. All the local brides would ask Bertoia to design their wedding linen. Little did they know that their youthful friend would become a household name in America.
Bertoia's father took him to America to visit his elder brother. Here, he changed his birth name from Arieto to Harry and began formal training at various art schools. After the war there was a scarcity of materials so Bertoia spent the early years of his making career designing jewellery. He even made the wedding rings for Charles and Ray Eames!
Bertoia moved to California in 1950 to work with Charles Eames. They experimented with molded ply. These formative tests were the beginings of what we know and love as the Eames Chair. Sadly, Bertoia was given no credit for this design.
Florence Knoll invited Bertoia to Pensylvania to design furniture for their lable Knoll Inc. Here he finally had free license to create whatever he so desired and he recieved full credit and generous payment for his efforts. It was in this hot-house of creativity that Bertoia designed his famous 'Diamond Chair' from welded wire. "If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right through them."
