Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair. A higher-quality reproduction of the original specifications and features. Inspired by the handlebars of the vintage “Adler Bicycles,” the Wassily Chair is an icon of modern Bauhaus design.

Many purists refer to the Wassily chair as the model B3. Like the original, this Wassily chair reproduction uses materials designed to exceed the structure demands of long term daily use such as the 3 mm thick steel frame, 6 mm thick pure cowhide leather, and high strength load-bearing bolts. 

Faithfully reproducing this iconic design means including all features of the original, some of which provide durability and are appearance-related, and some others act as both.

The Inspiration Behind the Wassily Chair

The Wassily Chair was designed in, and the first chair built in 1925. It was originally named the model B3 and was inspired by the bent handlebars of Marcel’s “Adler Bicycle.” A google search for “Adler bicycle,” provides some great pictures of the design.

You can see the inspiration for the flowing frame in the handlebars of the antique bikes. This classic club chair quickly became a hallmark of international style, celebrated for its sleek structure and innovative use of materials.

The B3 chair design consists of a bent tubular steel chromed frame, similar to the bicycle forward and then backward flowing design. This approach to furniture design was groundbreaking at the time, emphasizing elemental lines and functional elegance.

The chair frame of the Wassily chair continuously flows from the floor up to the arm. The arms, sides, seat, and back of the chair are crafted from thick bonded cowhide leather slings, which provide both durability and a refined aesthetic.

Sitting in the chair tilts your body backward at an angle, roughly 20 degrees, offering a unique lounging experience similar to a club armchair.

With its polished chrome frame and minimalist construction, the Wassily Chair remains one of the most recognizable pieces in modern New York interiors today. Designed by master carpenter Marcel Breuer, this chair was not just a piece of furniture—it became an architectural statement that redefined seating in the modern era. 

Industrial Aesthetic and Evolution of the Wassily Name

The weight of the occupant is shared among the lower and upper back-straps, as well as the tension-suspended leather seat platform. No cushions are used in the design, and none are needed. The tension created by the various suspended leather platforms holds the seated form of your body to the structure of your chair, staying true to the principles of modernism and functional form.

Essentially, one is supported or suspended over the platforms, which are attached at both ends of the tubular steel frame. This approach to seating was equally celebrated in both artistic and architectural circles for its innovation.

The chair has an unmistakable industrial appearance. At first glance, the mix of angles and materials gives a rather complicated impression. Studying the flow of the tubular frame and the connection of the leather platforms reveals the design’s true simplicity. This chair is a masterpiece of architecture, effortlessly blending structure and art.

How the Wassily Chair Got Its Name

The Wassily chair took on the name Wassily after an Italian furniture manufacturer gave the chair a rebirth of a sort in the 1960s by reproducing the original chair design.

The range of reproductions introduced during this period helped bring the chair to a wider audience. Wassily was the last name of Marcel Breuer’s painter friend, whose work in art influenced many aspects of design during that era.

Marcel built a Wassily chair in his 30s and learned how fond Wassily was of the design. The name Wassily Chair caught hold, though purists refer to the chair by its original historic name—the B3 Breuer Chair.

Today, enthusiasts can still purchase high-quality replicas of this timeless piece, with some retailers even offering free swatches to help customers select the perfect finish.

Features:

• Available in premium Aniline Leather
• Double stitch lines at all stress points
• Saddle Grade Nylon Thread (1/16th stitching)
• 3 mm thick heavy-duty seamless tubular steel frame
• Angle pitched for long-use seating comfort
• True to the original the seat platform tilts at 20 degrees
• UV light heat cured & polished chrome steel tube finish resists chipping
• Countersunk high-strength bolts connect the tubular frames
• Comes standard with floor protection caps on legs