Frequently Bought Together
Designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, the B3 — famously nicknamed the Wassily Chair — was the world's first bent tubular steel chair, and it still looks like the future. Our reproduction pairs a mirror-polished chrome frame with taut vegan saddle leather slings in black or white, available fully assembled or flat-packed.
About the Wassily Chair
Marcel Breuer was just 23 and head of the carpentry workshop at the Bauhaus in Dessau when the curved steel handlebars of his Adler bicycle sparked an idea: if steel tube could be bent into handlebars, it could be bent into furniture. The result, the Model B3 chair of 1925–26, dissolved the traditional club chair into a floating composition of gleaming steel lines and suspended leather planes — a piece so radical it changed furniture design forever.
The nickname came later: the painter Wassily Kandinsky, Breuer's colleague and friend at the Bauhaus, admired the prototype so much that a duplicate was made for his quarters — and when the chair was reissued decades later, it was christened "Wassily" in his honour. Today the B3 resides in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Our reproduction honours Breuer's geometry and proportions while making the icon attainable.
Materials & Craftsmanship
- Frame: ø19 mm (3/4") cold-bent tubular steel, plated in mirror-polished chrome and hand-buffed to a uniform shine.
- Slings: vegan saddle leather (premium faux leather) cut in wide straps, engineered to mimic the firm, matte hand of traditional saddle hide — with double-stitched edges that hold their tension.
- Suspension: seat, back and armrests float within the frame exactly as Breuer intended, flexing gently with the sitter.
- Build options: choose Fully Assembled (arrives in one piece, ready to use) or Flat-Packed (bolts together in about 20–30 minutes with the included hardware).
- Floor protection: smooth glides keep hardwood and tile safe.
Specifications
| Overall size | 30.7"W × 28.3"D × 32.7"H (78 × 72 × 83 cm) |
|---|---|
| Seat height | 14.6" / 37 cm |
| Weight | 28.7 lb / 13 kg |
| Frame | ø19 mm chromed tubular steel |
| Upholstery | Black / White vegan saddle leather (faux leather) |
| Assembly | Fully Assembled (none required) or Flat-Packed (approx. 20–30 min) |
Care
Vegan saddle leather is wonderfully low-maintenance: wipe with a soft cloth dampened with mild soapy water, then dry — no conditioning or creams needed, and it shrugs off everyday spills. Polish the chrome frame with a dry microfibre cloth. Avoid solvents, abrasive cleaners and prolonged direct sunlight, and keep sharp objects away from the slings.
How to Style the B3 Chair
The B3 is the definitive accent chair for a mid-century modern or minimalist living room — place one beside a sofa, pair two facing each other across a low table, or let a single white version glow in a reading corner. Its open steel frame keeps sightlines clear, so it makes small rooms feel larger.
Complete the look:
- Isamu Noguchi Akari 10A floor lamp — soft washi-paper light for the reading corner
- Mid-Century Lounge Chair styling guide (PDF) — three living-room looks built around a statement chair
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an original Wassily chair?
No — this is a faithful, independent reproduction in the tradition of Marcel Breuer's 1925 B3 design. It is not manufactured by, licensed by, or affiliated with Knoll. The licensed original typically retails for $3,000 or more; ours honours the same geometry, in your choice of build, for a fraction of that price.
What is vegan saddle leather?
A premium animal-free faux leather engineered to reproduce the firm, smooth hand of traditional saddle hide. It keeps the taut, architectural look Breuer's design calls for, resists stains and fading better than untreated hide, and needs no conditioning.
What is the difference between Fully Assembled and Flat-Packed?
The chair itself is identical in both editions. The Fully Assembled edition arrives in one piece, ready to use straight out of the box. The Flat-Packed edition ships in a slimmer carton and bolts together in about 20–30 minutes with the included hardware.
Is the Wassily-style chair comfortable?
More than its spare silhouette suggests. The seat, back and armrests are suspended slings that flex gently with your body, and the reclined seating angle encourages a relaxed, lounging posture — it was conceived as an easy chair, after all.
What are the dimensions?
30.7"W × 28.3"D × 32.7"H (78 × 72 × 83 cm), with a 14.6" (37 cm) seat height. The chair weighs 28.7 lb (13 kg) — see the full specifications table above.
How do I clean it?
Wipe the slings with a soft, slightly damp cloth and mild soap, and buff the chrome with a dry microfibre cloth. No leather conditioner is needed. See the Care section above.
Shipping & Returns
Free US shipping with door-to-door delivery. 30-day returns. See our shipping policy and refund policy.
| Color |
Black Vegan Saddle Leather, White Vegan Saddle Leather |
|---|---|
| Assembly |
Fully Assembled, Flat-Packed (Easy Assembly) |
