Following the designs of Mies van der Rohe

Based on the design by LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE (Germany, 1886 – U.S., 1969).
Pair of “Barcelona” armchairs, original design from 1929.
Second half of the 20th century, likely the 1960s–70s.
Chrome-plated steel frame with flat, curved, and cross-braced “X” profile. Separate cushions upholstered in black tufted leather, with grid-pattern stitching and covered buttons. Secured at the bottom with black leather straps.
No visible labels or manufacturer’s marks.
They show wear consistent with their age and use.
Measurements: 80 x 78 x 80 cm.

The Barcelona Chair is one of the absolute icons of modern design. Conceived for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, it was designed as an elegant and monumental ceremonial seat, in dialogue with Mies van der Rohe’s refined architecture. MoMA holds a piece manufactured by Knoll International and highlights its structure of flat steel bars and leather upholstery, as well as the serenity of its lines and the refined proportions that characterize Miesian design.
This pair follows the famous “Barcelona” model, with its crisscrossed chrome-plated steel frame, low, open profile, and black leather tufted cushions—features that have made this design an essential piece for both collectors of modern furniture and interior designers and decorators. Their presence combines architectural rigor and decorative sophistication, working equally well in classic interiors as well as in high-end contemporary spaces.

As they bear no visible labels, stamps, or manufacturer’s marks, we cautiously classify this pair as pieces following the Barcelona model, without attributing them to Knoll. Knoll received exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights from Mies van der Rohe in 1953, and its authorized editions feature the KnollStudio stamp and Mies’s signature stamped on the base. However, their apparent age, the patina of the leather, the wear on the chrome, and the construction using loose cushions and lower straps reinforce their appeal as a vintage decorative pair with a striking presence.