Hans Könecke for Tecta Pair of 'Sling' Lounge Chairs in Cognac Leather and Steel

Hans Könecke for Tecta, pair of 'Sling' lounge chairs, model 'D99', lacquered steel, steel, leather, Germany, 1960s

This pair of 'D99' lounge chairs was designed by Hans Könecke for the German furniture manufacturer Tecta in the 1960s. The design is distinguished by its remarkably open construction, in which a generously proportioned leather sling is suspended within a slender metal framework. Forming a continuous, gently curved seat and backrest, the supple leather naturally adapts to the contours of the body. The broad leather armrests extend the relaxed character of the design, while the exposed steel structure provides a striking contrast between the softness of the leather and the architectural precision of the frame.

The chairs reflect the enduring influence of Bauhaus principles and the wider tradition of German modernism, particularly the emphasis on functional simplicity, structural clarity, and the honest expression of materials. The exposed metal framework recalls the pioneering experiments with steel furniture by Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe during the 1920s and 1930s. Yet Könecke's interpretation introduces a distinctly more relaxed and informal character, characteristic of the evolving approach to domestic furniture during the postwar decades.