S 533 Cantilever Chair

Overview

The S 533 is the cantilever chair of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, dated 1927 on Thonet's product pages. Its frame is one large, elegantly curved circle of chrome-plated tubular steel, and the seat and back are wickerwork, synthetic mesh, laced material or full grain butt leather. The main picture shows the wickerwork version, the S 533 R.

Construction

Thonet characterises the S 533 by a deliberate restriction of the materials used, elegant lines and a transparent effect. The comfort, according to the maker, comes from the frame's ability to keep adjusting to the sitter's position by flexing. The F versions of the programme are wider and deeper than the basic model; the brochure captions the S 533 RF and LF as the versions with armrests.

Specifications

• Dimensions (S 533 R): W 50 cm x D 77 cm x H 82 cm
• Seat height: 44 cm
• Weight: 7 kg
• Made in: Frankenberg, Germany
• S 533 RF / LF: W 55 cm x D 84 cm x H 82 cm, 11 kg

Mies and Stam

Thonet recounts that Mies van der Rohe learned the cantilever principle from Mart Stam while preparing the Weissenhof Estate exhibition in Stuttgart, which he organised. Stam's first realisation did not impress him. Mies answered the technical innovation at once with an aesthetic solution of his own, which he was able to present in 1927.

Image source: Thonet — S 533 Cantilever Chair · © Thonet and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy

Luxury in the 1920s

According to Thonet, most designs of the early 1920s stressed function through simplicity, whereas the S 533 shows the architect's signature: a deliberately luxurious design that joins functionality, comfort and timeless looks. The company's own summary is that the S 533 stands for a changed perception of quality, and it names the chair one of the first cantilever chairs.