1930s Modernist Cantilever Chair by Mücke-Melder
1930s Modernist Cantilever Chair by Mücke-Melder
An original 1930s Czechoslovak cantilever chair manufactured by Mücke-Melder, featuring a chromed tubular-steel frame, shaped wooden seat and backrest, and curved wooden armrests.
A particularly interesting detail is the surviving Mücke-Melder manufacturer's badge, discreetly attached to the rear of one armrest - a small but increasingly uncommon feature that confirms the chair's provenance.
About the Chair
Produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s, this Modernist chair reflects the period's experimentation with tubular steel and the possibilities of furniture without conventional rear legs.
The continuous steel frame supports a shaped wooden seat and backrest, while the gently curved armrests introduce a softer, more tactile element to the otherwise restrained construction.
Of particular interest is the small original Mücke-Melder badge on the back of the armrest. Such manufacturer's details are rarely encountered on surviving examples today, making this a welcome feature for collectors of early tubular-steel furniture.
Design & History
Mücke-Melder was among the Czechoslovak manufacturers producing tubular-steel furniture during the interwar period, when Modernist designers were rethinking traditional furniture construction.
The cantilever principle emerged during the late 1920s, most notably through the work of Mart Stam, Marcel Breuer and Anton Lorenz. By removing the conventional rear legs, designers created chairs supported by a continuous steel structure, transforming both their appearance and the way they responded to the sitter's weight.
This chair belongs to that important period of European furniture design, when industrial materials and new manufacturing techniques were beginning to reshape domestic interiors.
Details
Quantity: One chair
Period: 1930s
Origin: Czechoslovakia
Manufacturer: Mücke-Melder
Materials: Chromed tubular steel and wood
Markings: Original Mücke-Melder manufacturer's badge on the rear of the armrest
Condition
The chair is in good vintage condition, with visible signs of its age and history.
The wooden elements have been carefully restored, respecting the original character of the piece rather than giving them an overly new appearance.
The tubular-steel frame retains its original aged finish, with areas of chrome loss and visible patina, particularly around the lower sections of the chair. These imperfections are consistent with its age and are clearly documented in the photographs.
Please refer to the photographs for a detailed record of its condition.
Dimensions
Width: 39 cm
Depth: 53 cm
Height: 83 cm
Seat height: 45 cm
Delivery & Returns
The chair will be carefully packed and shipped from our studio in Brno, Czech Republic.
EU shipping: €40, confirmed at checkout.
We also ship worldwide using trusted international couriers. Please contact us for a tailored shipping quote outside the EU.
EU customers have a 14-day right of withdrawal. Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.
If you would like to check anything before ordering — from condition and dimensions to delivery — Martin and Amy (info@bybarnabas.com) are always happy to help before and after your purchase.
Why We Like It
The surviving Mücke-Melder badge is a particularly appealing detail, offering a direct connection to the chair's original manufacture. We also appreciate the balance between the restored wood and the visibly aged steel, which allows the chair to retain much of its nearly century-long history.
Read the Story Behind the Design
The development of the cantilever chair was shaped by experimentation, competing claims of authorship and a remarkable legal dispute involving Mart Stam, Marcel Breuer and Anton Lorenz.
Read our journal article, The Chair Without Back Legs: The Dispute Between Stam and Breuer, to explore the history behind one of Modernism's most influential furniture innovations.
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