The Masur Edition

Marking the 90th anniversary of Breuer’s designs for Isokon, the exclusive collection revisits his experimental approach to veneer, challenging the assumption that his plywood furniture was intended to remain unadorned. Historical examples produced during his time as Chief Designer at Isokon were finished in varied timbers including sycamore, zebrano, mahogany and Australian walnut, demonstrating plywood’s capacity for material variation and expression. Chosen for its elusive character, masur birch defies easy categorisation. Neither tied to a particular period nor aesthetic, the rare Northern European timber possesses a psychedelic, decorative quality that sits in compelling dialogue with the restraint of Modernism. Distinctly graphic, it introduces a richness to Breuer’s reductive works without distracting from their sculptural clarity. It lends the objects a wholly unexpected quality, emphasising their unbroken surfaces. Each piece is handmade in small batches at Isokon’s East London workshop using specialist plywood techniques refined over nearly a century. By altering only the outer veneer, the collection offers a fresh perspective on Breuer’s iconic designs while remaining faithful to his original vision. The collection comprises the Cut-Out Armchair, Cut-Out Chair, Isokon Nesting Tables and Isokon Dining Table, each originally designed by Marcel Breuer in 1936. Presented and sold exclusively by Béton Brut, the Masur Edition will be on view from 12–20 September, in conversation with the gallery’s collection of vintage furniture. New works by David Horan will also be on display, extending his inaugural Paper collection created exclusively for the gallery in 2022.