Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair: the story behind its creation and rise to classic status
Within just a few years of its creation, Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair was already among the most famous pieces of furniture of its time. Its spherical shape still looks unique today.
What is the Ball Chair?
Eero Aarnio designed the Ball Chair in 1963. As the story goes, he wanted to create a large chair that would seat all four members of his family. When the chair was unveiled at the 1966 Cologne furniture fair, it attracted major attention and Aarnio’s fame continued to grow.
Originally, it was upholstered in red, but it’s now available in 12 different colors.
What makes the Ball Chair special?
It’s impossible to miss the Ball Chair, but you can sit inside it in your own private space, even hidden from view. From a technical and design standpoint, the fiberglass surface and spherical shape stand out. Both were unconventional and forward-thinking choices at the time.
In practical terms, it’s made up of two hemispheres, a metal base, and upholstered padding.
What’s also interesting is how people remember the chair. The Ball Chair has been on magazine covers, in movies, ads, and TV shows, and it’s often associated with public figures. One Ball Chair can even be found in the living room of President Urho Kekkonen’s Tamminiemi Museum home.
Researcher Harri Kalha has pointed out how the female body was used in Ball Chair marketing from the very first Cologne fair onward.
How can you recognize a genuine Ball Chair?
Knockoffs of the Ball Chair started appearing in the 1970s. Today, every real Ball Chair is produced at Artekno’s factory in Luopioinen. A genuine one is shaped as more than just a half-sphere. Because the production mold is split into two parts, you can see a center seam or ridge on the authentic chair once the molds are opened. The base is always aluminum painted to match the shell, never fiberglass.
What is the price of the Ball Chair?
A brand-new Ball Chair costs about €6,770–7,680 in Finland, though you can sometimes find it on sale for less. A used one’s value varies with its condition, typically ranging from around €2,000 to €5,000.
