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No. 811 Prague Chai...
 

No. 811 Prague Chair, Hoffmann ever produced in Italy  

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Jmf15
(@jmf15)
New Member
Joined: 2026 years ago
Posts: 2
22/08/2015 6:10 am  

I just got these chairs but are labeled made in Italy. Are they no. 811 Prague chairs?


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(@deleted)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 973
22/08/2015 11:54 pm  

Yes. Your chairs are the correct form/version (without the additional leg bracing) identical to the Knoll imports back in the 1950's possibly made by Gavina(?) and possibly where the Italian connection is but it needs more research to confirm. Maybe someone here will recognize the paper label. Do you know when your chairs were made?
Also, your chairs have the correct finger joints at the top of the front legs but what I am not seeing is the caning going through the seat rail which is unlike the Knoll version where the caning is woven to the frame and not pre-woven cane inserts.
Who made the chairs in the correct version is not as relevant. The confusion with the Prague chair is who designed it. Knoll sold the chairs as designed by Josef Frank (see book 'Knoll Furniture 1938-1960' by Rouland) while others say by Josef Hoffman. I think the caned version is by Josef Frank but the version with plywood circle cut outs is by Josef Hoffman(?).
http://www.knoll.com/search-results?searchtext=josef+frank&parent=134738...
http://www.dwr.com/product/hoffman-armchair.do?sortby=ourPicks


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Jmf15
(@jmf15)
New Member
Joined: 2026 years ago
Posts: 2
23/08/2015 1:44 am  

Thanks for your response. I found out online that the chair was made by Salvatore Leone, Modena, Italy.


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(@deleted)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 973
24/08/2015 6:25 pm  

I did some more digging on the no.811'prague' chairs. The Knoll versions from 1950-1953 (model 146 and 147) were made by Thonet from the factory in Czechoslovakia. Why Knoll chose not to use Thonet's assigned model number for the 'Prague' chairs, that I do not know.
Good for you that you resolved your inquiry with your own diligent research.


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