Marcel Breuer 1902–1981
Marcel Breuer’s parents encouraged their children to take interest in culture and the arts from an early age, and when the Hungarian born designer turned eighteen he secured a scholarship to the prestigious Fine Arts Academy in Vienna. Uninterested in the lengthy discussions about aesthetic tradition and eager for a more practical education, he took a job in an architectural firm. When a friend told him about a new art school in Weimar Germany called the Bauhaus, Breuer promptly enrolled. Under the guidance of director Walter Gropius, Breuer became one of six apprentices to join the furniture workshop, producing his earliest known design in 1921, the African Chair. Breuer graduated in 1924 and after a brief time in Paris, returned to the school as the head of the of the carpentry worship in 1925. Inspired by his first bicycle, Breuer began working on designs for a chair made of tubular steel. The revolutionary steel club armchair, known as the Wassily, remains one of his most well-known designs to date.
Auction Results Marcel Breuer
Marcel Breuer
Rare chaise lounge
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $81,250
Marcel Breuer
Delfi table from the Ultrarazionale collection
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $23,750
Marcel Breuer
dining table
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $15,600
Marcel Breuer
desk chair from Bryn Mawr college, Pennsylvania
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $12,500
Marcel Breuer
furniture set for Bryn Mawr college, Philadelphia
estimate: $6,000–7,000
result: $11,400
Marcel Breuer
Balance tapestry
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $11,250
Marcel Breuer
Long chair
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $10,800
Marcel Breuer
candlesticks, pair
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $9,600
Marcel Breuer
desk
estimate: $3,000–4,000
result: $9,000
Marcel Breuer
chair, model 301B
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $8,125
Marcel Breuer
dining table base
estimate: $6,000–8,000
result: $7,200
Marcel Breuer
Rare B7 chair
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $6,875