Vitra Miniature Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia

Crafted with an artist’s touch and an engineers eye, the Miniature Diamond Chair is a remarkable embodiment of form and function, brought to life by the iconic designer Harry Bertoia in 1952/53. Originally conceived using his expertise in sculpting and gold wire techniques, Bertoia worked in collaboration with Knoll specialists to create this innovative piece. Now, produced by Vitra as part of their esteemed Miniatures Collection, the Diamond Chair remains a symbol of design purity and technological prowess.

The chair’s architecture distinctly highlights its structural elementsits wire shell is bent from a grid into an ethereal, diamond-shaped form that seems like a net suspended in space. Its round iron base cradles the delicate wire shell, echoing the facets of a polished gem. Bertoia himself viewed these chairs as more than mere furniture; they are visual studies in space, form, and metal, largely composed of air allowing space to flow seamlessly through.

This miniature version, standing at a scale of 1:6 (135 x 115 x 190 mm), mirrors the original’s details with exacting precisionfrom the construction and material to the color and texture. It’s crafted from steel wire, maintaining the high standards of authenticity and craftsmanship that have made these miniatures cherished collectibles and powerful educational tools for designers and architects alike.

Whether for a collector, an enthusiast of design history, or an academic setting, the Vitra Miniature Diamond Chair represents both a milestone in furniture design and a timeless piece of art.