Frank Lloyd Wright Lounge Chair

A Rare Gem : Frank Lloyd Wright’s Tokyo Imperial Hotel Armchair

Step into a piece of architectural and design history with this exquisite armchair, designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright for the iconic Tokyo Imperial Hotel in the 1920s. This is not just furniture; it is a masterwork of design, blending functionality with timeless elegance.

Reissued in 1996 by Cassina, under exclusive licensing to produce Frank Lloyd Wright’s furniture, this armchair is part of the highly limited “Imperial Collection.” Each piece was meticulously crafted, numbered, and signed, making it a collector’s dream. This particular model, upholstered in its original bold red textile, is a rare find, as most reproductions featured leather or other fabrics. With fewer than 1,000 pieces from the collection ever produced—including many larger sofas and dining chairs—this armchair is a testament to both rarity and design excellence.

A Visionary Designer

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) is widely regarded as one of the most influential architects of all time. His philosophy of “organic architecture” sought to harmonize buildings with their surroundings, and his designs often blurred the lines between nature and human-made structures. The Tokyo Imperial Hotel, completed in 1923, was one of his most ambitious projects. Designed to withstand earthquakes, it famously survived the Great Kanto Earthquake the same year it opened—an extraordinary testament to Wright’s innovative approach to engineering and design.

In addition to his architectural triumphs, Wright was passionate about furniture and interiors, believing that every element of a space should work in harmony. This armchair reflects his holistic approach to design, with its clean lines, functional elegance, and thoughtful integration of materials. Few designers of his era created furniture as iconic and timeless as Wright’s.

Key Features:

• Original Design: Faithfully crafted from Wright’s 1920s blueprint for the Tokyo Imperial Hotel.

• Impeccable Craftsmanship: Featuring the signature wood plinth base and original upholstery, radiating Wright’s organic design philosophy.

• Condition: Well-preserved, with wear consistent with its age, highlighting its authenticity and vintage charm.

• Collectible Status: A numbered and signed piece from Cassina’s exclusive limited production run.

A Rare Opportunity

This armchair is more than just a seat; it is a conversation piece, a collector’s treasure, and a slice of design history. Ideal for mid-century modern enthusiasts, architects, and connoisseurs of fine furniture, this is an opportunity to own a work of art that embodies the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Did you know? Wright’s architectural prowess extended to over 1,000 designs, of which 532 were completed during his lifetime. His work is celebrated worldwide, with eight of his buildings—including Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum—designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Act quickly—items from this rare collection are scarcely available on the market and are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

The chair will be shipped insured overseas in a custom made wooden crate. Cost of transport to the US is Euro 1.150, front door delivery crate included.

Colors may slightly vary due to photographic lighting sources or your monitor settings.

Wear consistent with age and use.

We ship worldwide. Request a shipping quote by e-mail to tacojoustra@vintageobjects.com mentioning the piece you are interested in.

Pick-up by appointment only.

We are a 1stDibs Platinum 5 Star Dealer.

“The greatest success of the Imperial Hotel was the boldly monumental spaces Wright contrived to create in spite of restraints posed by the earthbound profile of the building with its purposely lowered center of gravity … It was valued for the opportunity it presented to distinguish building types by displaying a building’s character through a distinctive combination of ornament and plan. “The design of the Imperial Hotel is proof of this state of affairs, in terms of which Wright hoped, as he always did, to rehabilitate and redefine architectural Truth. “… In the Imperial Hotel, hierarchy of ornament was thus matched with hierarchy of spatial arrangement … The effect was charming and unusual, as many still alive will not hesitate to attest.” – The Making of Modern Japanese Architecture (1868 to the Present), by David B. Stewart, 1987 “Undoubtedly the Imperial Hotel is one of the world’s finest structures in point of character, which is all its own. It is not difficult to recognize the genius which conceived such a poem in stone and brick, and due praise must be spontaneously offered to the brilliant engineering talent which adhered to strictly straight lines and flat arches throughout the entire building. “The only fair comment that can be advanced is that the building is probably a hundred years ahead of the age in its architectural features and fifty years behind in many things which make for the comfort of its patrons. [Frank Lloyd Wright] sacrificed everything to his art, raising a monument to his genius and bequeathing to the Japanese the difficult task of making it a financial success.” – “Architecture and the Buildings of New Tokyo”, The Far Eastern Review, June-July 1925 Wright's masterpiece was demolished in 1968 and replaced by a gleaming, ultra-modern four-star edifice. All that remains of the “Wright” Imperial nowadays is the hotel’s front facade, preserved today at Meiji Mura, the outdoor architectural museum near Nagoya that hosts a large collection of Meiji era architectural art.