Tecta D51 Fagus Bauhaus Armchair by Walter Gropius, 1923

The Tecta D51 Fagus armchair by Walter Gropius is an exceptional classic of early modernism and a piece of furniture with a direct connection to the architectural history of the Bauhaus. Gropius originally designed the chair in 1922/23 for the vestibule and reception area of the famous Fagus factory in Alfeld. The clear, strictly constructed design of the D51 incorporates the essential principles of the Fagus factory's architecture: reduced lines, an openly readable construction, and the dynamic interplay of load-bearing and cantilevered elements. Particularly characteristic are the striking, widely extended armrests, which curve elegantly inward in the area of the backrest. Together with the four straight legs and the separately appearing backrest, an almost architectural, sculptural form is created. The D51 exemplifies the design philosophy of Walter Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus, who wanted to combine architecture, craftsmanship, and industrial production into a holistic modern design. The version of this chair, produced today by Tecta, preserves the special character of the historic design. The specimen offered here has a black-finished wooden frame that is in very good condition. The black leather pads on the seat and back are flawless and supple. Tecta resumed production of this chair in the early 1970s; this chair likely dates from the 1990s. A major Bauhaus classic with an extraordinary history and a direct connection to the Fagus factory – ideal for design-oriented interiors, architecture enthusiasts, and collectors of significant 20th-century furniture designs.