Röthlisberger Schweiz - Susi & Ueli Berger - Shelf - Fächermann - Wood - Röthlisberger Fächermann

Susi & Ueli Berger for Röthlisberger – “Fächermann” – Switzerland – Draft 1977 – historic specimen, stamped 1993

For sale is an exceptional and rarely offered “Fächermann” shelf, designed in 1977 by the Swiss designers Susi & Ueli Berger for the Röthlisberger collection, Switzerland.

The “Fächermann” ranks among the most striking designs of the Swiss design duo. The human silhouette forms the back of the shelf and gives the piece its unmistakable sculptural character.

Manufacturer and Marking

The offered specimen is a historical version from Röthlisberger, Switzerland.

On the back there is the original oval manufacturer’s plaque inscribed:

“KOLLEKTION RÖTHLISBERGER SCHWEIZ”

Additionally, on the back is a stamped marking:

“27 05 1993”

This marking indicates a dating or production in the year 1993. An inquiry about the exact interpretation of the marking was made directly to Röthlisberger.

Version

* Designer: Susi & Ueli Berger
* Model: Fächermann
* Year of design: 1977
* Manufacturer: Röthlisberger Kollektion, Switzerland
* historical edition
* back with original Röthlisberger manufacturer plaque
* back stamped marking “27 05 1993”
* black-lacquered plywood/multiplex
* Height approx. 199–200 cm
* Width approx. 73 cm
* Depth approx. 40 cm

In the head area there is a metal fitting that looks original. Historical editions of the Fächermann are sometimes documented with lighting. Whether this fitting in the offered piece was originally intended to be used with lighting could not be conclusively clarified to date.

Condition

The shelf is in a historic, unrestored condition.

There are age- and usage-related signs of wear, soiling, and in places traces on the black lacquer. These are documented in the photographs.

The piece has deliberately not been repainted or comprehensively restored so that the manufacturer’s marking, date stamp, and historic character are preserved.

Please consider the numerous close-up photographs as part of the condition description.

Classification

Comparable historic examples of the “Fächermann” exist in international design trade and have already been offered and auctioned by renowned European design auction houses.

Röthlisberger also relaunched the design in 2024 in a limited edition of only 15 pieces. The piece offered here is not this new edition, but a historic Röthlisberger edition with an old manufacturer plaque and the back-stamped marking “27 05 1993.”

A rare and exceptional collectible of Swiss design from the 20th century.

Due to size and weight, careful transport arrangements are required.