ludwig mies van der rohe, designer
Inspired by an earlier chair design by Mart Stam utilizing threaded pipe in
German, 1886–1969
its construction, architect and designer Mies van der Rohe sought to refine
Armchair (MR20 )
Stam’s effort by designing a chair that could be fashioned out of a seem-
Designed 1927, produced c. 1930–1931
ingly continuous segment of tubular metal. The result, the first version of
Bamberg Metallwerkstätten, manufacturer,
the MR20 armchair, was exhibited in 1927 at Die Wohnung (The Dwelling),
Berlin, Germany Nickel-plated steel and cane
a model standardized housing development presented in Stuttgart. Con-
31 1/* × 33 × 22 in. ( 79.1 × 83.8 × 55.9 cm)
ceived for mass production, the boldly cantilevered armchair and its related
Anonymous gift, 2006.15
side chair design were models of efficiency, refinement, and modernity. One of van der Rohe’s most important furniture designs, this early production example retains its original cane seating surfaces and nickel plating, both of which add subtle notes of warmth to what is otherwise a machine for sitting.
modern
3121-04 DMA handbook Modern-Contemporary [BW 10-11].indd 259
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