There are chairs, and then there are iconic chairs.
More than a place to simply sit, certain designs are highly covetable pieces: think Eames chairs, Togo sofas and Wassily chairs.
Named after the Russian painter and art theorist Wassily Kandinsky, the chair (originally titled Model B3) was designed in the mid-1920s by German carpenter Marcel Breuer. He was the head of cabinet-making at The Bauhaus, the famous art school at the epicentre of the movement of the same name.
The chair, a triumph for minimalism, was inspired by the sleek lines of an Adler bicycle frame, its hallmarks curving steel and leather seat and arm slings. Think of the skeleton of a club chair, and you’re on the right track. The Wassily was then, and remains still, a celebration of stripping back.
Though Breuer crafted many pieces of furniture in his career, the Wassily remains his most recognised creation and identified him as one of the fathers of Modernism.
So, an iconic chair brimming with design history. Naturally with such stature comes sky-high prices. Wassily chairs were expensive when they were invented in 1925 because of the originality of design that set them apart from the crowd. That priciness hasn’t diminished over the years, but you can find Wassily-inspired versions in some corners of the internet.
We’ve rounded up the best options below - shop now
Fuller Vintage Tubular Chrome & Black Leather Wassily Chair
This replica is a dead ringer for the OG 1925 design and one that was reproduced by Habitat in more recent years. It sticks rigidly to the design recipe with a skeletal frame supporting bands of leather to make up the seat, backrest and armrests. Though it doesn’t look it, the chair is comfortable for occasional sitting but probably not something you want to spend the night watching telly in.
Buy now £780.00, Etsy
AM.PM Winset Leather Table Armchair
This Italian-made chair reimagines the Wassily, adding midcentury touches along the way. The streamlined tubular chrome steel forms the skeleton, with the arms, backrest and seat all crafted from split leather. It’s stylish enough to position alone but can also be bought in multiples to sit around a table.
Buy now £270.00, La Redoute
Soho Home Gabriel Armchair, Leather
A Wassily style for the 21st Century, this leather armchair from Soho Home stays true to the original design with a skeletal look devoid of cushioning. The frame, however, is crafted from oak timber, adding an element of warmth to the design. As all materials are natural, they’ll develop a patina over time creating an individual look that will render it one of a kind.
Buy now £1995.00, Soho Home
Wicker Chair, Inspired by Marcel Breuer's Wassily Chair, 1970s
If you’re not into steel and leather, go the boho organic route with this wicker chair inspired by the Wassily. Perfect for gardens and conservatories, the chair promises to elevate any space.
Buy now £3443.00, 1stDibs
