Erich Dieckmann Light-Type Club Chair in Open Form (circa 1926/1927)

Erich Dieckmann Light-Type Club Chair in Open Form (circa 1926/1927)

Date:

Circa 1926/1927

Dimensions:

H x W x D – 72 cm x 62,5 cm x 81 cm

Designer:

Erich Dieckmann (1896-1944)

Manufacturer:

Bauhochschule Weimar, Germany

Material & Technique:

Construction wood beech/alder or solid beech/pine, frame stained oak or bog oak, transparent lacquered, partly with edge band, seat and backrest laced spring, frame made of tow and horsehair, original textile. With the brand stamp of the State Bauhochschule Weimar and the brand stamp "ED" by Erich Dieckmann.

Delivery:

Free

Price: 10.000,00 €
(Tax included)

Description

This exceptional armchair by Erich Dieckmann—one of the most influential designers of the Bauhaus era—embodies the essence of early 20th-century modernism. A graduate of the Bauhochschule Weimar and head of its carpentry workshop, Dieckmann was celebrated for his ability to translate geometric clarity into functional elegance. This piece reflects his unwavering commitment to Bauhaus ideals: simplicity, purpose, and superb craftsmanship.

The chair's frame is crafted from rare bog oak—a material prized for its deep, rich tones and historical significance. Complemented by beech, alder, or pine elements, the wood has been meticulously stained and sealed with a transparent lacquer to preserve its natural grain and texture. The seat and backrest rest on traditional laced springs, with a frame composed of tow and horsehair, offering both comfort and longevity.

What truly sets this piece apart is its authenticity. The upholstery is original, preserving the chair’s historic integrity, while two rare stamps—one from the State Bauhochschule Weimar and the other bearing Dieckmann’s personal "ED" mark—confirm its provenance. These details elevate the chair from a striking design object to a museum-worthy artifact.

Upholding the Bauhaus tenet that "form follows function," this armchair achieves a perfect balance between aesthetics and utility. Its clean lines, measured proportions, and thoughtful materials ensure it feels as contemporary today as it did nearly a century ago. As a rare and documented example of Dieckmann’s work, this armchair is more than seating—it is a cornerstone of design history, encapsulating the visionary shift toward modernism.

Erich Dieckmann Light-Type Club Chair in Open Form (circa 1926/1927)

Historical Context

Bauhaus / 1920s-1930s: The design of the Bauhaus era shaped modernism in the 20th century. The artists trained at and influenced by the Bauhaus created a completely new formal language in architecture and design based on the principle of reduced objectivity. Function was the decisive factor in furniture design. According to the guiding principle "form follows function", the utility and purpose of the furniture was placed in the foreground and combined with industrial manufacturing processes. This resulted above all in famous designs for tubular steel furniture, for example by Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. The tubular steel chair without back legs - also known as the cantilever chair - is exemplary of the creative impact of the Bauhaus in the field of furniture design. It created a new type of chair that became a modern design classic.