Posted 7 years ago
Hunter
(49 items)
I just scored 4 mismatched "Cesca" chairs at a local thrift store this weekend—spied them being unloaded from a donations truck as I was walking by and went back to scoop them up. Pretty happy with the price of $18 each.
Marcel Breuer designed this famous tubular steel, wood, and caned-seat chair in 1928, and originally called it model B-32 . They were first produced by German company Thonet, then Italian company Gavina (who renamed it "Cesca" after Breuer's daughter Francesca), which was purchased by Knoll, who still makes them today. However, Breuer never patented the design, so many companies make unofficial versions (legally).
All four of the the chairs have "Made in Italy" either stamped into the wood or marked with a sticker, but I'm not sure if that indicates anything about what company made them. I'm guessing this group is from the 1970s or '80s, and are probably knockoffs. There are a couple spots where the caning is roughed up, and one looks to have been rewoven, but otherwise they're in good shape. :)
Here's a short NYTimes piece on the chairs from 1991: http://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/07/garden/the-many-lives-of-a-very-common-chair.html
If you have any ideas about attribution, let me know!
**update: I've added a fourth photo above to show the chairs as they look in their new home, along with a refurbished mid-century table. :)
great chair!!!
thanks sean :)
Thanks for the comment Thomas—I think some of my family also had them in the 1980s. Trying to figure out the best matching table that won't look too dated...
Love them! I had a set of 6 back in the late 70's I think with a butcher block table. They left me several moves ago but I always loved them. Great find!
Thanks Cindyjune :) I ended up scooping three more up on craigslist so I could repair the ones with torn cane seats, so I should take a new pic now that the group of 6 is setup in my new home...
Great catching these right off the truck! I think these would look good with pretty much any table or setup; it's such a timeless design... But for maximum modernity, perhaps a table in a bright colour, or with a glass/acrylic top?
(I wish I could buy furniture at my local thrift stores... Alas, as long as I have a one-room living situation, that's not going to happen xD)
Great thoughts @quantumphysica—I was looking for an acrylic or white table, but they all seemed cheap or damaged. Then I found this expandable Danish modern one on craigslist (refurbished by the seller) and I jumped on it. The wood compliments the chairs nicely, but is pretty understated. Check out my 4th photo—I've added an image of the setup now. :)
That's beautiful! The table really goes well with the chairs. (Also, the hint of multicolored carpet I see there looks awesome :D)
Thanks quantumphysica! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out...and the carpet is from CB2 - very affordable vintage inspired designs. :)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
thanks Sean, you too! Hope you have a great new year's :)
This reminds me of my father’s dining room chairs:)