The Cesca Chair

A design revolution by Marcel Breuer

In 1968, Knoll unveiled the Cesca Chair after acquiring the Gavina Group, an esteemed Italian furniture manufacturer known for showcasing the iconic designs of architect Marcel Breuer. Drawing inspiration from the Bauhaus movement and incorporating Breuer's groundbreaking material innovations, this timeless chair showcases a remarkable blend of simplicity and excellence that continues to captivate audiences even after more than nine decades.

Born from the Bauhaus

Marcel Breuer's Cesca Chair, created in 1928, is deeply rooted in the design principles and material innovation he developed during his time at the Bauhaus. Embracing rationalist ideals, Breuer sought a mass-production-friendly material that could also yield aesthetically pleasing furniture. Drawing inspiration from the tubular steel structure of his bicycle, he recognized its lightweight, robust, and flexible qualities as ideal for realizing his Modernist vision. Through numerous iterations of bending and welding, Breuer introduced the Wassily Chair and Laccio Table in 1925, followed by the Cesca Chair in 1928.

Breuer described his design vision, aiming for a lightweight and visually transparent form with tensioned fabric and resilient, elastic frames. He embraced polished metal and impeccable lines as symbols of modern technology. The chair, initially called B32, gained global acclaim for its innovative use of materials and minimalist design. It was a game-changer in 20th-century furniture and established Breuer as a seminal figure in the field, according to J. Steward Johnson, Curator at the Museum of Modern Art.

Marcel Breuer at the Breuer House in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Francesca Breuer at the Breuer House in New Canaan, Connecticut.

A Master of Modern

Breuer, a versatile artist, saw furniture as an integral part of one's environment. He joined Harvard University in 1937, following his mentor Walter Gropius, and later established his own practice in New York City. He designed notable works like the United States Department of Housing and Development and the Whitney Museum of American Art. In the 1960s, the Italian manufacturer Gavina Group acquired the rights to his design, renaming it the Cesca Chair after Breuer's daughter. Knoll acquired Gavina Group in 1968, bringing Breuer's designs to popularity. Today, the Cesca Chair remains an iconic symbol of the Modern movement, offering various upholstery options and heights.

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Laccio Side Table, Square, Black - Knoll - Marcel Breuer - Furniture by Designcollectors

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Wassily Lounge Chair, Black cowhide - Knoll - Marcel Breuer - Furniture by Designcollectors

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Footnotes: 
Text and images: Knoll Archive and John Naar