420C Bertoia Side Chair

This is a pair of classic Bertoia side chairs, model 420C, designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoia for Knoll International. These chairs have welded steel basket seats and retain their original fully-upholstered seat covers in a burgundy vinyl. These date to the 1986 and are in very good condition with some wear from use. The vinyl seat pads are also in nice shape with some light wear as noted in the photos. The chairs also retain original labels underneath noting 655 Madison Avenue, where Knoll had its showroom during the 1980s.

The price listed includes both chairs as shown. Each chair measures 22.5 inches deep, 21 inches wide and 30 inches tall. The seat height is 17.75 inches.

It’s interesting to note that the Rilsan powder which is used to coat the steel frames is derived entirely from castor beans, and therefore a ‘green’ material. It was developed in Italy in the early ‘40s, and is still the most common finish found on Bertoia chairs today.