Architect, furniture designer and educator, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was a central figure in the advancement and promotion of modernist design and architectural theory and practice. Like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, he was a hugely influential presence in the field, who shaped the course of 20th-century architecture both through his buildings and his teaching of rationalist design principles.
Born in the medieval German city of Aachen, Mies found an interest in architecture as a boy while working for his father, a master stonemason. He had no formal education as an architect, but learned his skills as an apprentice to the designer Bruno Paul, and as a staffer in the office the proto-modernist architect and designer Peter Behrens. Following World War I, Mies rose to prominence in his field amid the liberal atmosphere of the Weimar Republic. His reputation was secured by his work on the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona (commonly referred to as the Barcelona Pavilion) — which Mies codesigned with Lilly Reich, his creative and romantic partner — a radically simple, poetic, open-plan building pared down to its architectural essentials. Mies would go on to direct the Bauhaus from 1930 until 1933, when Nazi-government interference forced the closure of the progressive art and design school. Later that decade, he made his way to Chicago, where he remained for the rest of his career as a practicing architect and a dean of the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Mies’s famed dictum “less is more” grew from his belief that architecture both guides and expresses the spirit of the times, and he envisioned the 20th century as open-minded, logical, transparent and liberated by technology. His best-known buildings — residences such as the Villa Tugendhat in Czechoslovakia and the Farnsworth House in rural Illinois; skyscrapers like the 860–880 Lake Shore Drive apartment towers in Chicago and the Seagram Building in New York — reflect that philosophy. As do the most famous furniture designs authored by him or codesigned with Reich.
Pieces designed by Mies and Reich such as the Barcelona chair (the authorized version is produced by Knoll today), stools and daybed, or the cantilevered Brno chairs, deliver a maximum of comfort and support from a minimum of materials: their “lavishness” derives from the precision with which they are engineered and constructed. For the collector, the allure of Mies’s furniture is at once practical and idealistic. Useful and functional, his works embody the highest aspirations of modernism.
Find vintage Mies van der Rohe chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$6,432
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 29.93 in
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Bauhaus Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Vicenza, IT
Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage condition. ...
Chrome
$3,995 / item
H 34 in W 25.5 in D 38 in
2006 Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Studio Red Leather MR EO7M Lounge Arm Chairs
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a (sold separately) Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Studio MR arm chair in gorgeous red leather upholstery. These examples came from the e...
Steel
$6,500
H 37.5 in W 23.5 in D 47.25 in
1983 Mies van der Rohe for Knoll MR Armless Chaise Lounge Chair in Red Fabric
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an MR Chaise Lounge, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll in 1927. This particular example was produced in the United States and dates back to 1983. The chaise ...
Steel
$12,758 / set
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 29.93 in
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972, Set of 2
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage co...
Chrome
$8,500Sale Price|22% Off
H 33.75 in W 26 in D 70.5 in
Oxblood Leather MR Adjustable Chaise Lounge by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Intl
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully preserved example of the iconic MR Chaise Lounge, originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1927 and later produced by Knoll International. This particular piece is best attributed to Knoll’s mid to late 1980s to 1990s production, distinguished by its seamless heavy-gauge tubular steel frame with a continuous bend, stitched (as opposed to riveted) saddle leather support straps, exposed button-head cushion straps, and its original deep oxblood / burgundy leather upholstery. Unlike earlier two-position examples from the 1970s, this model features Knoll’s three-position reclining system, a refinement introduced in the late 20th century to enhance comfort and usability. The original leather cushion presents beautifully, with a rich, even patina consistent with careful use in a well-maintained environment. As expected of Knoll International’s production in the 1980s and 1990s, the leather is of exceptional quality, supple yet robust, complemented by thick matching saddle-leather straps with stitched detailing that reinforce the chaise’s luxurious character. The polished tubular steel retains its bright luster with only minimal signs of age, while the upholstery remains supple, surface-rich, and clearly consistent with Knoll’s late-20th-century construction methods. Highly versatile, this MR Adjustable Chaise...
Chrome
$3,600 / set
H 30 in W 32 in D 27 in
C. 2009 Pair of Mies Van Der Rohe Knoll Krefeld Lounge Chairs in Red Leather
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of Krefeld Lounge Chairs produced by Knoll and designed by Mies Van Der Rohe. These chairs were specified in red leather...
Leather, Walnut
Mies van der Rohe Style Leather Barcelona Chair by Artesian
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Pasadena, TX
A classic in the style of Mies Van Der Rohe, this chair has a seat and back cushions that adapt to fit the curve of frame, which is welded in single-piece construction from flat bar ...
Stainless Steel
$4,800
H 30.25 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
2010s Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chair in Leather and Chrome
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Barcelona Lounge Chair, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929. This particular example was produced by Knoll in the 2010s. The chair is comprised of a chrome ste...
Steel
$5,000 / item
H 30.25 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
2010s Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chair in Leather and Steel
By Knoll, Lilly Reich, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Barcelona Lounge Chairs, model 250L, initially designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the 2010s. These chairs are compri...
Steel
$796Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 23.25 in D 22.25 in
Mid Century Modern Red Flat Chromed Bar Brno Chair, by Mies Van Der Rohe
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Madison, WI
The Brno Chair, created by Mies van der Rohe in 1930 for the famous Tugendhat House in Brno, Czech Republic, captures the pioneering minimalism of its original setting. This chair, r...
Steel, Chrome
1980s Massimo Iosa Ghini for Moroso Leather and Steel Post Modern Lounge Chair
By Moroso, Massimo Iosa Ghini
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Massimo Iosa Ghini lounge chair for Moroso. This wonderful chaise lounge chair features a 80s post modern design featuring a flowing art deco inspired design. This chair is...
Chrome
Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Cantilever T Back Lounge Chair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin cantilever T-back lounge chair exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to Mid-Century Modern seating, balancing comfort with clean architectu...
Metal
Red And Blue Chair By Gerrit Rietveld For Cassina
By Cassina
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
The Red and Blue Chair by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina is one of the most iconic expressions of early modern design. Originally conceived in 1918 and later refined with its now signat...
Beech
PK24 Chaise Longue Chair by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen
By Poul Kjærholm, Fritz Hansen
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This PK24 chaise longue, designed by Poul Kjærholm for Fritz Hansen, embodies the Danish master’s commitment to refined simplicity and exceptional materials. Its flowing sculptural p...
Metal
Eames for Herman Miller DCM Plywood and Chrome Chair Mid Century Modern
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Enhance your home or office with the iconic Mid Century Modern charm of this Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair. Showcasing the distinctive molded plywood construction, it combines n...
Chrome
Charles & Ray Eames Herman Miller Tandem 4 Seat Fiberglass Shell Chair Bench
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 4 seat tandem shell chair bench. This is a very rare tandem bench from Herman Miller. This particular model features a four seat desig...
Metal
