One of the most recognizable furnishing sets designed during the mid century period is the Barcelona Chair and Stool (the latter of which is sometimes referred to as the “Barcelona Ottoman”). This set radiates luxury and sophistication, instantly upgrading any room with a hearty dose of Mid Century Modern nostalgia and a dash of aristocratic refinement.
The History of the Barcelona Chair and Stool
The Barcelona Chair and Stool are named for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, which took place between May 20, 1929 and January 15, 1930. Bauhaus designers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich worked together to design the chair and stool for the German Pavilion at that fair. This was where the inaugural ceremony would take place, and the Spanish king and queen would sit.
“The government was to receive a king. . . . The chair had to be . . . monumental. In those circumstances, you just couldn’t use a kitchen chair,” Mies explained.
While Bauhaus was largely focused on mass production and designs for everyday people, the Barcelona Chair was crafted by hand and designed to be evocative of the aristocracy. It achieves this aim in part through its shape, which hearkens to historical chairs such as ancient Egyptian folding stools, the curule chairs that high officials sat on in ancient Rome, and Napoleon’s famous “Throne of Dagobert.”
The original version of the Barcelona Chair featured several pieces for the frame that were bolted together and ivory pigskin upholstery for the cushions. Starting in 1950, the chair was made from one seamless stainless steel piece. Instead of pigskin, bovine leather is now the upholstery material, and you can choose from a range of color options.
The Barcelona Chair has a low profile, as is common with many Mid Century Modern furnishings. It measures around 75 cm x 75 cm x 75 cm. The beautiful tufting on the cushions produces visual interest and shows off the craftsmanship of the chair.
Where You Can Buy the Barcelona Chair and Stool
The official manufacturer for the Barcelona Chair and Stool since 1953 has been Knoll, and the company still makes the set today. That means that you can actually purchase a brand new, authentic Barcelona Chair and Stool for your own home. At the time of this writing, the price for a Barcelona Chair from Knoll is $8,134, and it can be purchased online. You need to find a dealer location if you want to purchase the Stool.
Those who do not have over $8,000 sitting around have the option of shopping for a high-quality Barcelona Chair and Stool replica set. If you choose this route, try to find one that is handcrafted, measures the correct dimensions, and features the same materials and design features as the official Knoll set.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like reading about The Wassily Chair and Verner Panton’s Heart Cone Chair. You may also enjoy learning about the Seattle Century 21 Exposition. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours and ideas!
