Harry Bertoia 'Bird' Chair & Ottoman

The Harry Bertoia 'Bird' Chair and Ottoman is constructed with a welded steel wire frame forming both the structural support and the underlying seat basket. The chair’s base is made from black-coated steel rod bent into an angular sled-style structure, with the rods meeting at welded junctions that create a rigid triangular support on each side. These supports connect to the seat basket through cylindrical rubber shock mounts, which hold the upper structure slightly suspended above the base.

The seat basket itself is formed from a grid of intersecting steel wires welded together at each crossing point. The wires curve upward to create a deep, rounded seat profile that transitions into the backrest structure. The back rises from the seat in a continuous upholstered form, extending into a tall, narrow headrest shape.

The upholstery consists of a single fitted wool cover that wraps tightly over the molded foam padding, following the contours of the seat, sides, and backrest. The fabric edge is tucked around the perimeter where the upholstery meets the steel basket, concealing the attachment points while maintaining the defined edge of the seat.

The ottoman is constructed using the same black steel rod base, with angled legs joined by horizontal stretchers for stability. A padded upholstered wool cushion sits above the frame, shaped with a slightly curved surface that mirrors the contour of the chair’s seat. The upholstery on the ottoman is tightly fitted around the foam form, producing a smooth, continuous surface that aligns visually with the chair.