11-May-08
Pretzel Chair
On 29th of May this year George Nelson
celebrated his 100th birthday. For this reason Vitra is re-editing the Pretzel Chair - one of Nelson's best-known designs - in an anniversary edition limited to 1000 copies. (with only 75 available to the UK market).
The numbered edition of the Pretzel Chair is produced in high-quality palisander veneer and isaccompanied by a comprehensive edition folder.
In the 1950s at his New York office George Nelson developed a series of individual and striking seating furniture, some of which have long since
become classics. In 1952, even before the wellknown Coconut Chair or the Marshmallow Sofa, he designed a chair from moulded plywood, initially called simply the 'Laminated Chair'. It was
the bold, elegant lines of the back and arm rests that gave the chair its nickname, the 'Pretzel Chair'.
Like the rests and their mountings, the four legs of the chair which cross beneath the seat are also made of laminated wood.

http://www.thelollipopshoppe.co.uk/products?category=12&pro0...
posted by pete1979
 [edit]
 
12-May-08
I see it's bloody expensive too.
and you can buy one. I always thought of this beautiful chair as a chair that should be in a pair format.
posted by barrympls
 [edit]
 
12-May-08
I just went to Vitra's weird new website (USA edition)
and there's nothing whatsoever about the Pretzel Chair. Perhaps ity's not even being sold in the USA.
posted by barrympls
 [edit]
 
12-May-08
Probably not
probably not offered in the US. A lot of Vitra stuff is for the European market.

Funny, but when I think George Nelson I think a million other things before I get to the Pretzel chair. And wasnt the whole reason it was discontinued because of weakness in the backrest joinery? I hope they've fixed it for that price!

PS. Barry - for that price (about 2200US) you can get 2 Cherner armchairs and have your pairing.

posted by LuciferSum
edited on 12-May-08 05:34 PM  [edit]
 
12-May-08
You bet, Lucifer!
The only reason I ever thought the Pretzel chairs were cool was due of its rarity.

Part of my prior opinions about what makes a piece "Good Design" was its durability for the intended use. This is a bit too precious for me, besides, I haven't any place to spotlight it.

Most of the stuff I have is durable and safe to use. I can't imagine what my 200+ frame would do to this chair!

As far as Vitra goes, I'm not impressed by limited edition products. A good company will produce an item until it stops selling.

If Vitra wants to do something good and "limited", they have a bloody sale!
posted by barrympls
 [edit]
 

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