Iconic Vitra Panton chair
The Vitra Panton is a famous sculptural 'monobloc' chair designed by designer Verner Panton. The Danish designer was known for his innovative and experimental designs. In the late 1950s, he first designed a furniture based on a single piece of cantilevered plastic: the Panton. Initially, the chair was not yet sturdy enough to sit on and several furniture manufacturers turned down offers to produce the Panton. Fortunately, Rolf Fehlbaum of Vitra did see potential.
In 1967, the Vitra Panton went into production. For years, people searched and experimented with the ideal material. The original design used cold-pressed, fibreglass-reinforced polyester. Yet the material proved not strong enough and the chair was temporarily withdrawn from production. In the 1990s, Vitra revived the Panton with a design based on polypropylene. This lightweight material is extremely strong and pliable. It turned out to be the perfect basis for the Panton as we still like to see it.
Verner Panton (1926–1998), a Danish design luminary, significantly shaped modern aesthetics. Renowned for his revolutionary use of materials and vibrant colors, Panton's groundbreaking designs include the Panton Chair, the first-ever single-form injection-molded plastic chair. His avant-garde lighting fixtures, like the Flowerpot lamp, and immersive interior installations, such as the Visiona exhibitions, showcased his futuristic vision. Panton's daring exploration of unconventional forms and innovative materials solidified his status as a design icon, leaving an enduring impact on the evolution of contemporary design sensibilities.
Choosing items from Verner Panton adds a touch of design daring and sculptural elegance to your space. Panton's avant-garde vision extended beyond iconic furniture to include immersive interior installations, such as the visionary Visiona exhibitions. The interplay of futuristic shapes and vibrant hues in his designs, like the Amoebe Highback chair or the Spiral SP1 lamp, promises a distinctive and dynamic aesthetic. By incorporating Panton's creations, you not only embrace functional art but also participate in the legacy of a design pioneer whose influence transcends generations.
The Panton Chair, which has been around since 1967, has been used and praised by many people over the years. That's why you can find it in second-hand shops, in markets, auctions, on websites like Marktplaats, eBay and many other places. Whoppah has taken advantage of this and offers a wide range of high-quality second-hand furniture at very reasonable prices. Why pay full price when you can also buy this good quality furniture at a fraction of the price of new.
Until 1975 time, the Panton was also produced by the American furniture company Herman Miller? As a result, you will also come across Pantons from the United States on Whoppah. You can recognise these variants by the Herman Miller logo.
So although it took quite a long time for Vitra to find the optimal production process for the Panton, the chair is world-famous. Indeed, the Panton quickly became a figurehead for 1960s pop-art design. Several magazines used the Panton in their editorials and the chair even graced the cover of Vogue (featuring a naked Kate Moss). Because of this iconic status, the MoMa in New York included a copy of the Panton in its collection. So with a Vitra Panton, you bring a museum-worthy piece of commotion into your home!
The Vitra Panton Chair, which has been around since 1967, was such a great success that the chair was further developed into the Panton Chair Classic in 1999. The chair received a new seat height and is offered in a new colour collection that offers something for everyone. The chair is easy to clean thanks to its soft-touch mat. Simple and unobtrusive or striking and expressive, anything is possible with this chair.
Looking for the beloved Vitra Panton chair or another classic design from this brand? On Whoppah you will find the most beautiful pre-owned Vitra designs, curated on authenticity, age, and condition. This way you are assured of the best quality.
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