Hans Bellmann easy chair

This rare easy chair was designed by Swiss architect and designer Hans Bellmann in 1954 and produced by Strässle Söhne & Co in Switzerland. The chair features a sculptural, organically shaped shell upholstered in its original deep purple fabric, mounted on a black-lacquered tubular metal frame. The form emphasizes comfort and visual balance with a wide, enveloping backrest that curves seamlessly into extended armrests.

The seat is crafted as a single molded shell integrating the backrest and arms, upholstered in a coarse-woven textile of a rich violet tone. The upholstery shows signs of wear, including fraying and thinning along the edges of the armrests and seat seam, indicative of its vintage condition. While the chair remains structurally sound, it would benefit from reupholstery to restore its visual and functional integrity fully.

The base consists of four splayed legs fashioned from bent metal tubing with a black lacquer finish. The rear legs curve upward and inward, merging into a central support brace that connects to the seat shell. This construction provides stability while preserving a sense of lightness and openness beneath the upholstered shell. The design exemplifies the experimental and modernist ethos characteristic of mid-century Swiss design, combining industrial materials with ergonomic and sculptural form.

Hans Bellmann (1911–1990) studied under Mies van der Rohe at the Bauhaus and later worked with Alvar Aalto before founding his own practice. His work is marked by minimalist structural clarity, technical rigor, and a synthesis of architectural principles with furniture design. Bellmann was influential in the development of postwar European modernism, particularly in Switzerland, where he helped pioneer the production of mass-producible, modern furniture.

This easy chair is a notable example of European mid-century modern design, merging industrial materials, organic form, and functional clarity.

The dimensions are 93.5 centimeters wide, 76 centimeters deep, and 86 centimeters high, with a seat height of 37 centimeters (approximately 36.8 x 29.9 x 33.9 inches, seat height 14.6 inches).