A Bauhaus Blond Cesca Style Chair Vintage 1980s 90s

An icon of 20th century furniture design and a chair that really needs very little introduction.

The Cesca chair was designed by Bauhaus architect and furniture designer Marcel Breuer, one of the leading figures of modernism. Breuer pioneered the use of tubular steel in furniture, using a continuous steel frame to create the distinctive cantilever construction that gives the chair its wonderfully light appearance and gentle flexibility. The chair was named Cesca, after Breuer’s daughter Francesca.

Nearly a century after the design was conceived, Cesca chairs have once again become highly sought after. The combination of natural cane, warm timber and chrome feels remarkably contemporary and works just as successfully in a modern interior as it does alongside mid century and vintage furniture.

This vintage example was made in Italy, most likely around the 1980s, and follows Breuer’s classic Cesca design with a beautifully shaped beech frame, woven natural cane seat and back and polished tubular chrome cantilever base.

The chair is in very good vintage condition and is solid, sturdy and fit for purpose. The chrome presents particularly well with only light signs of age and use. The beech frames have a lovely warm colour and attractive natural grain, with the occasional small surface mark and nick expected of a genuine vintage piece.

Importantly, the original cane remains in good usable condition. There is some gentle relaxation and light sagging from age and use, together with a few small nicks and minor imperfections to individual strands, but the weave remains intact and retains good tension. Please study the photographs, which form an important part of the condition description.

The cantilever construction provides a surprising degree of comfort, with the tubular steel frame allowing a slight natural flex when seated. Lightweight, elegant and extremely versatile, it makes a wonderful dining chair, desk chair or simply a standalone design piece.

The underside retains its Made in Italy markings and manufacturer’s stamp.

This listing is for ONE chair.

We currently have several more examples of this iconic style making their way through our workshop, including further dining chairs, carver versions and bar stools. If you are looking for a pair, a larger set or a mixture of styles, please message us to see what we currently have available.

A timeless piece of modernist design that has never really gone out of fashion — and is currently enjoying a very well deserved revival.

Approximate Measurements

Height 79cm
Width 47 cm
Depth 54 cm
Seat height 45 cm

BUT if you don’t know about the Cesca Chair ..............

Marcel Breuer, the Hungarian designer of the cesca cane chair, is considered one of the fathers of modernism. During his career he was a modernist architect, teacher and furniture designer. With comfort in mind, he chose to use one continuous steel tube in a cantilever style. The chair, designed at the Bauhaus, was named “cesca “ as a tribute to Breuer’s adopted daughter, Francesca.

Marcel Breuer married traditional craftsmanship with industrial methods and materials to help make tubular steel furniture an international sensation and become a modern institution. The cantilever form exploits the possibilities unique to the material and gives the chair added flexibility and comfort. This iconic seat features woven cane inserts and a beech frame. Straight lines, curves and high quality materials are the features of the cesca chair; a timeless piece of 20th Century furniture intergrating perfectly with today’s retro mix and attracting collectors of mid century furniture. Very comfortable, thanks to the lightweight metal cantilever structure that make it flexible; a perfect desk or dining chair.

This style was sold in Habitat in the 1970s, although no markings they are recognisable and are shown in some of the brochures from that period. Parker Knoll also took on manufacturing these chairs and were proud enough to stamp their name on them. Even today, they are still being produced by other manufacturers; this is hardly surprising as this is one of the ten most important chairs of the twentieth century.

CONDITION

Please bear in mind that all our vintage and retro items have had a life before you purchase them (sometimes quite a long one!) therefore they will show signs of wear and use, these may include knocks, dents and scratches, bumps and scuffs which are commensurate with age and previous use. We never sell items that we wouldn’t be happy to have in our own homes and provide images detailing any significant damage or unusual wear. Please carefully read the details and examine the images prior to purchase. All our items have been thoroughly cleaned and de-greased, re-oiled and polished (where necessary) and are fit for purpose. If you’re unsure, or would like some more information, please contact us, we’re always happy to help. comfortable thanks to the lightweight metal structure that make it flexible; a perfect desk or dining chair or just a chair to be admired!

OUR DELIVERY POLICY

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PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU PURCHASE FROM AN OFF-SITE ADVERT FOR ETSY, FREE DELIVERY WILL NOT APPLY (AS WE ARE CHARGED CONSIDERABLY MORE).

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Wherever possible, we try to offer free kerbside delivery, contact-free, to most mainland UK addresses, either by ourselves or via our dedicated, trusted, couriers. This ensures that your purchases arrive in exactly the condition they were in when you purchased them, as accurately described on our site. You should expect delivery to be within 1 to 3 weeks of you placing the order. We will contact you directly with a firm delivery date and advise you in advance of a two hour delivery window.

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