Sleek & Timeless: The Legendary Cesca Chair
The Fascinating Origins of the Ceasar Chair and Methods for Acquisition
For close to a century, one iconic seat has managed to remain a staple in contemporary design - the Cesca chair. Born from the genius mind of Marcel Breuer in 1928, this design marvel broke new ground by blending tubular steel with natural fibers, forever altering the landscape of furniture design.
The Cesca's striking, cantilevered form features a handwoven cane set atop solid beech frames, a combination that Breuer masterfully executed. This avant-garde chair doesn't boast the typical four-legged style; instead, it presents an open back and a frame with just two front legs, making it easily recognizable.
Breuer was inspired by the ideals of the Bauhaus school, where he studied under iconic architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Walter Gropius. The Wassily Chair, which he created in 1925, was Breuer's first use of tubular steel in furniture. Both the Wassily and Cesca chairs embodied the simplicity and functionality that defined Bauhaus style.
These groundbreaking chairs did not just lead the way in design; their minimalist aesthetics also showcased a focus on both form and function, reducing visual clutter often associated with traditional furniture designs.
Fast forward to the present, and the Cesca chair continues to be one of the most sought-after designs of the 20th century. Several factors have converged to keep it at the forefront of modern interior design, including a resurgence of midcentury modern style, the popularity of the organic modern style, growing demand for earth-conscious and personality-driven interiors, and a mix-and-match approach to decorating that incorporates secondhand items.
Secondhand Treasure Hunt
If you're in the market for an authentic Cesca chair, you should ideally source it from the manufacturers authorized to produce it, such as Knoll. However, the cost can be prohibitive, with prices usually around $1,200.
Replicas and knockoffs of the Cesca, which are of high quality, are widely available. To find the perfect secondhand Cesca, you need to be vigilant and keep an eye out at estate sales, secondhand stores, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Chairish, 1stDibs, and more.
Evaluating Your Findings
Understandably, years of use leave their mark on any piece of furniture, and the Cesca is no exception. Frequent issues include cracked or sagging cane seats, rusted metal frames, discolored cane, and loosened seats or backs from the frame. Detailed care and restoration can bring a damaged Cesca back to life, but a compromised frame can make things more challenging.
Authenticating Your Cesca Chair
When inspecting a secondhand Cesca chair, look for subtle design details that set authentic pieces apart from imitations. The base of an authentic Cesca, for instance, should not be completely flat. Also, the ends of the frame should be welded and solid.
If vendors claim the Cesca is genuine, ask for proof such as a certificate of authenticity. Look for Breuer's signature, or for the KnollStudio or manufacturer's logo on the base of the chair if it originated from Knoll, Thonet, or Gavina.
So, if you stumble across a vintage Cesca chair, hold on tight, because you just might have found a true design treasure. Happy hunting!
- The dining rooms of modern homes are often adorned with the timeless Cesca chair, a design staple that originated in 1928.
- The art of decorating homes with contemporary style incorporates the use of furniture markers, such as the Cesca chair, to enhance interior-design and lifestyle.
- Over the years, home trends have shifted towards embracing the Cesca chair, specifically its sleek and minimalist form, as a cornerstone in home-and-garden makeovers.
- To find a secondhand Cesca chair, one has to embark on a treasure hunt at estate sales, secondhand stores, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Chairish, 1stDibs, and more.
- When evaluating a found Cesca chair, it's important to look for subtle design details, such as the base not being completely flat and the frame ends being welded and solid, to ensure its authenticity.
- Vendors might claim the Cesca chair is genuine, so it's essential to ask for proof like a certificate of authenticity, Breuer's signature, or the KnollStudio or manufacturer's logo on the base.
- From news of home trends to expert opinions on furniture design, sources like Better Homes and Gardens (bhg) provide valuable insights on how to effectively decorate rooms with iconic pieces like the Cesca chair.
