The Barcelona chair is a perfect design and strong visual statement. It has become the ultimate and timeless image of elegance and comfort. A careful study of the potential for even softer upholstery and a new collection of “full grain” leathers, softer to the touch and capable of ageing gracefully have contributed to give a greater residential feel to what remains the undisputed ‘monument’ of the international history of design. A signature KnollStudio design, produced to Mies' original specifications. Exclusive manufacturing and sales rights were accorded to Knoll by the designer in 1953.
The KnollStudio logo and the signature of Mies van der Rohe are stamped into the base. Polished chrome structure hand-buffed and hand-finished to a mirror finish. 40 individual panels for the chair and 16 for the stool are cut hand-welted, and hand-tufted with leather and buttons produced from a single cowhide. Cushions are premium quality fire retardant, high resilient urethane foam with down like dacron polyester fibrefill. The seat and the back of the Barcelona chair are connected with a removable pin. Side and edges of upholstery straps are dyed to match specified upholstery colour. The cushions are in leather and the frame is in polished chrome. Museum of Modern Art Award, 1977