Swedish designer Jonas Lindvall designed the Bernard chair as a tribute to traditional skills.
The chair is produced by hand and is available in walnut, oak and ash.
“I set out to create a chair that visually and technically could have been made 700 years ago yet still appears modern; a reference to beauty and craftsmanship that rises above transient tastes and fashions,” claims Lindvall.
“Its gentle balanced curves and asymmetric lines almost disguise its robust architectural structure. Treated lovingly, Bernard is made to last for 500 years.”
Here’s some more information from the designer:
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“We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place for those who love us” Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1091 - 1153)
The Bernard chair marks the culmination of 4 years design and development. Handmade by a small group of cabinet makers in Småland (Sweden), each piece requires 42 hours of intensive craftsmanship to perfect. Taking its name from the 12th century ecclesiastic, St Bernard of Clairvaux, the chair is Jonas Lindvall’s homage to traditional skills in an age when mass production techniques hold sway. It is a design without compromise.
Each Bernard chair leaving the workshop carries an engraved plaque listing production information and designer authentication.
Furniture: Bernard chair
Year: 2008
Design: Jonas Lindvall
Producer: Lindvall A&D
height: 795mm
width: 570mm
seat height: 445mm
seat depth: 365mm
finishes: walnut, oak and ash
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Posted by Rose Etherington
June 29th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Lovely! I just wonder how comfortable it really is.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
As an object, it is handsome. As a chair, the design lacks basic stability and strong joints. Why can’t designers produce objects that reflect the laws of physics and are usable?
June 29th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
love it
June 29th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
About time… beautiful. it’s beautiful
June 29th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
It’s balanced when viewed from the front, but all the other seem a bit unresolved. I still think it’s gorgeous.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:33 am
lOVE IT
June 30th, 2008 at 10:19 am
It’s an interesting design that appears beautiful and fragile. but having looked closer at the frame it’s probably very sturdy. I like this a lot
June 30th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Welcome to the 80s!
July 1st, 2008 at 8:54 am
Edward’s statement is silly. Surely this piece abides by the basic principles of physics - the fundamental one guiding the chairs stability is the users COG - Center of Gravity - if seated upright then it’s a vertical vector slightly off center from one’s buttocks and closer to one’s crotch area, hence quite sturdy. If leaning back the moment arm is of insufficient length to cause rotation especially given the fact the occupants COG is only slightly shifted to the rear of the buttock, hence also quite sturdy - I think you might even be able to raise your legs while slightly reclining (though tilting your head back that shifts the COG and increases the length of the moment arm from the objects base support point)…this being true unless you’re a large mass of a person - or otherwise quite fatty.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:55 am
correction - “though not tilting your head back…”
July 1st, 2008 at 11:23 am
great: simplicity and eyes catching
July 1st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Stability is not the issue, torque on the joints of the rear legs and the horizontal elements is. This chair is for children or as a museum piece.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:23 pm
clear and beautiful
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:40 am
i love it
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:29 am
ıt’s really different!!!
ı like it so much!