Knoll Wassily Chair Value Guide

The Knoll Wassily Chair, originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, remains a cornerstone of Bauhaus modernism due to its revolutionary use of bicycle-inspired tubular steel. This specific 1970s-1980s Italian production represents the era after Knoll acquired the rights from Gavina, featuring high-quality chrome plating and durable saddle leather slings.

What Is Knoll Wassily Chair Worth?

The typical price range for Knoll Wassily Chair is $1,650 - $1,800 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of the original Knoll International labels or stamps significantly increases the market value.
• Condition of the cognac leather slings, specifically looking for minimal cracking, staining, or sagging in the seat.
• The integrity of the chrome finish, as pitting, rust, or peeling on the tubular steel frame can decrease value.
• Provenance and era of production, with 1970s-1980s models being highly sought after for their vintage patina and structural build.

How to Identify Knoll Wassily Chair?

• Check for the KnollStudio logo and Marcel Breuer's signature stamped into the base of the chair frame.
• Examine the tube ends; authentic Knoll production features smooth, welded, and polished end caps rather than plastic plugs.
• Verify the leather quality, as genuine examples use thick, finished-edge saddle leather slings that do not stretch excessively over time.
• Look for the specific cognac leather color and consistent chrome plating characteristic of 1970s-1980s Italian manufacturing.

History of Knoll Wassily Chair

Designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925 while he was at the Bauhaus, the Model B3 chair was revolutionary for its use of tubular steel, inspired by the construction of a bicycle. It was later renamed the Wassily chair after the painter Wassily Kandinsky, who admired the design. The Italian firm Gavina produced the chair in the 1960s before Knoll acquired the rights in 1968.