Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair Value Guide

Designed in 1928 by Bauhaus master Marcel Breuer, the Cesca chair (originally the B32) revolutionized furniture with its innovative cantilevered tubular steel frame. Named after Breuer's daughter Francesca, this German-born design remains a quintessential icon of modernist architecture and functional art.

What affects the value of Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair?

• Condition of the natural cane, as sagging or broken weaves significantly decrease the $259 market value.
• Manufacturer provenance, with original Thonet or Knoll productions commanding higher prices than generic reproductions.
• The state of the chrome plating, specifically looking for signs of pitting, rust, or loss of luster.
• Originality of the upholstered seat components and the integrity of the tubular steel joints.

How to Identify Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair?

• Check for the signature cantilevered frame made of continuous tubular chrome-plated steel.
• Look for the high-quality machine-woven cane inserts on the backrest and seat frame.
• Verify the presence of a 'Made in Italy' or 'Thonet' stamp on the underside of the wood frame for vintage authenticity.
• Examine the wood finish, typically beechwood, which should be smooth and lack visible screws on the top surfaces.

History of Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair

Designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928, the Cesca chair, originally known as the B32, was one of the first chairs to feature a cantilevered frame, a revolutionary concept at the time. Breuer, a Hungarian-born modernist architect and furniture designer, was a student and later a master at the Bauhaus school in Germany. He named the chair after his daughter, Francesca. The Cesca chair remains a design icon, celebrated for its comfort, simplicity, and innovative use of materials.