Here’s How the Iconic Barcelona Chair Design Came to Be

It seems logical that when faced with the task of designing a chair for a king and queen, one might feel a little pressure to create a masterpiece. Architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe did just that with the Barcelona Chair, an object whose popularity has endured for nearly a century.

Considered a leader of modernist architecture, Mies collaborated with Lilly Reich, a German designer, to design the German Pavilion as part of the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona. The king and queen of Spain planned to visit the German Pavilion during the opening of the exposition, so the seats inside obviously needed to be fit for royalty.

The Barcelona Chair and accompanying stool were considered a modern throne. The basic scissor shape of the frame is thought to be inspired by the design of curule chairs, a folding seat with curved legs and no back that originated in ancient Rome and was intended for high-ranking government officials.

Mies and Reich's design was an innovative piece of furniture, largely unadorned but with modern engineering, perfectly blending form and function. It aligned nicely with Mies's belief that "less is more."

The original design, which has seen few alterations over the years, features a slim chrome-plated steel frame that curves and crosses under the back of the seat, creating a distinct X shape. Noticeably missing arms, the wide seat is covered in luxurious cowhide (the original was pigskin) that features deep hand-tufting in a neat grid pattern across the back and seat.

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While the chair immediately gained recognition in the design world, only a few models were made over the next 15 years or so. The Barcelona Chair wasn't mass-produced until the late 1940s, when Knoll Furniture Company took over the manufacture. They've been producing the chair ever since.

The 90-year-old chair design still resonates with the design-inclined, and is found in homes, offices, and hotel lobbies all over the world. A new Barcelona Chair from Knoll will cost you $5,991, with a range of leather color options available. Trying to find a well-priced vintage version is risky, since imitations are widespread. But if you're okay knowing your chair isn't the real deal, here are some great options for every budget.