In a two-year journey of wood, form, and legacy, Mond Zwölf emerges as both an homage and a contemporary vision. Crafted from ash wood, celebrated for its remarkable strength, density, and smoothness to the touch, each Mond Zwölf piece embodies the toughness and elasticity that make ash one of the world’s most resilient hardwoods. This one-armed reading chair, designed in collaboration with Miles Rice of Rittergut & Runnymede, blends sculptural beauty with functionality. Organic curves meet bold, clean lines in quiet harmony, creating a design that balances tradition with modernity.
Miles’ role as Special Advisor to The ARCH further underscores his commitment to heritage and innovation.
Sculpted by Time, Shaped by Hands
South of Dresden, where the sweeping hills of Rabenau rise to meet the northern edge of the Ore Mountains, dense forests breathe life into the landscape, and the craft of chairmaking has thrived for over four centuries. Here, each Mond Zwölf chair is crafted from a single tree, carefully chosen to preserve the unity of the material and respect the ancient lineage of Saxon craftsmanship. Stefan Heinz, one of Germany’s few remaining master chairmakers, transforms each piece of ash with reverence, guided by techniques recorded in the 1720 Atlas Augusteus Saxonicus. His hands move with the rhythm of tradition, carving, shaping, and smoothing each line of Mond Zwölf until it embodies the essence of both the past and the present.
A Symphony of Collaboration
Crafted with the insights of Tom Eddolls, of English Fine Furniture, Mond Zwölf’s prototypes took shape, bridging cultures and techniques. From his workshop, each line was carefully considered, refined, and brought to life in preparation for its final form in Germany. Through Tom’s meticulous craftsmanship, the sketches became a tangible expression of the Mond Zwölf vision—a tactile and visual symphony balancing tradition with modern grace.
A Legacy Seen from Every Angle
Admired across the design community, Mond Zwölf is described as a “modern classic” by British designer Jeremy Broun:
“Very nice chairs. These chairs look good from different angles, which is no easy task. A modern classic.”
This limited series is more than just furniture—it is a story of continuity, a merging of hands and histories, and a celebration of skills that live on through each curve and angle. Mond Zwölf invites its audience to sit within a sculptural legacy, an experience where the artistry of generations meets the aesthetics of today.
In Mond Zwölf, the forests of Rabenau, the ancient rhythms of Saxon craftsmanship, and the resilient heart of ash wood unite—an enduring connection from the past, shaped for a modern world.
Image Credits: 1 - Takuma Oshima for Rittergut & Runnymede at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel London, 2 & 4 - Stefan Heinz, 3 - Tom Eddolls
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