Checkmate: The Bishop Chair by Konstantin Grcic for Magis

ByMyProperty Life 17/02/2026

Negative space is a formidable tool in design, underlining the philosophical power of absence. Many of our most powerful designs are celebrated for what they have, and also what they do not. Increasingly, a “more is more” approach is tied with maximalist design, with little attention paid to the nuances of creation. This does not necessarily have to be the case – we can ask of more from our interiors without sacrificing refinement and style. Stately and regal, the Bishop Chair by Konstantin Grcic for Magis is cast in a super glossy finish, blending bold hues with meticulously wrought geometry.

Close-up of a modern, glossy teal chair against a gradient orange background. Only part of the seat, backrest, and legs are visible.

The Bishop Chair is crafted in 1mm-thick steel, and receives coats of color before a final gloss layer that gives the piece a signature luminosity. Available in four colors, Red, Black Brown, Green, and Orange, these chairs stand at attention. With an expectant stance and a welcoming, wide back, this piece makes clever use of bent steel, forming easy volumes out of a simple bent plane. These choices in concert reduce physical weight and add a visual heft instead, the density of solid metal now replaced by air.

An orange metal chair with a flat seat and backrest is positioned against a teal background.

An orange wooden chair is positioned against a teal background, facing directly forward.

Orange modern chair with an angled backrest, shown against a gradient blue background. The chair has a glossy finish and minimalist design.

An open invitation, the back is welcoming and wide, adding an angular jaunt to an otherwise quite refined form. The chair stands by itself – at just 11 pounds, or 5kg, bent steel stands far away from its industrial inception. Retaining a sense of volume that belies its weight, the Bishop Chair demonstrates the symbiotic exchange between designer and producer, a flourishing conversation between Grcic and Magis.

A red wooden chair is positioned in profile against a solid turquoise background.

Close-up of red metal chair legs against a turquoise background, shot from an angle emphasizing abstract lines and shapes.

A black, modern chair with a solid backrest and four straight legs, placed on an orange background.

Close-up view of the black metal legs and cross-support of a table or chair against a warm, orange background.

A modern chair with a green metal frame, a wooden seat, and an angled backrest, photographed on a white background.

Side view of an orange, modern, minimalist chair with straight lines and a flat seat and backrest.

A simple, modern red chair with a flat seat, straight legs, and a slightly angled backrest.

Magis, based in Venice, has always taken the production and lifecycle of their products seriously. Working with Grcic was a natural collaboration, fueled by the notion that people deserve modern ideas that last. “I wanted to create a chair that would be instantly recognizable, but that would also reveal the details of its material and its production process. It was these qualities that attracted me to the project,” shares Grcic. These qualities shine through in the Bishop chair, a lesson in blending familiarity with tactility.

A dark brown wooden chair with a rectangular backrest and straight legs, shown from the back against a white background.

To learn more about the Bishop Chair by Konstantin Grcic for Magis, visit magisdesign.com.

Photography courtesy of Magis.

Growing up in NYC has given Aria a unique perspective into art + design, constantly striving for new projects to get immersed in. An avid baker, crocheter, and pasta maker, handwork and personal touch is central to what she loves about the built environment. Outside of the city, she enjoys hiking, biking, and learning about space.