Marcel Breuer lounge chair

This rare lounge chair was designed by Marcel Breuer and produced by Isokon in Great Britain during the 1950s. It exemplifies Breuer’s enduring interest in material innovation and ergonomic form, extending the Bauhaus legacy into the postwar period. Breuer’s early experiments with tubular steel and bentwood are reflected here in a design that balances modernist principles with industrial technique and sculptural economy.

The chair’s frame is constructed from laminated beech wood, formed into a continuous cantilevered S-curve that integrates the seat and backrest into a unified structure. The base consists of broad, gliding runners with a distinctive ribbon-like profile, flowing seamlessly into elegantly bent armrests that echo the sweeping lines of the frame. The beech features a warm honey tone and is finished with a light, clear varnish that preserves the wood’s natural texture while providing protection.

The seat and backrest are upholstered in a tightly woven striped textile rendered in black and off-white. The original cushioning is modest yet effective, applied directly onto the bent plywood shell to maintain a sleek, seamless appearance. The upholstery conforms precisely to the chair’s compound curves, including a subtle bulge at the headrest and gentle lumbar shaping to enhance comfort without adding bulk. The textile is taut and well-preserved, exhibiting minimal wear and retaining its graphic clarity.

This model embodies mid-century modern ideals through its organic structure, restrained material palette, and emphasis on production feasibility. Marcel Breuer’s collaboration with Isokon in the postwar years continued the firm’s early modernist trajectory, established in the 1930s under Jack Pritchard and Bauhaus émigrés. Isokon specialized in bentwood techniques and played a central role in British modernist design.

The chair remains in very good vintage condition, with minor surface wear and a slight patina on the beech frame consistent with age. The upholstery is clean and structurally sound.

The dimensions measure 61 centimeters in width, 132 centimeters in depth, and 84 centimeters in height, with a seat height of 30 centimeters (approximately 24 inches W x 52 inches D x 33 inches H, seat height 11.8 inches).