The Eileen Gray Bibendum chair at first appears as potentially unstable as the design is fanciful. But the seeming frailty of the base is apparent only; it is a strong and sturdy design. Commentators years after the design was first introduced would refer to the design sensibility at “ironic,” and in fact this characterizes much of the work done by both Gray and other modernists of the time. And that verdict applies to the apparent instability of the design as well. The chair continues to delight, and to command top dollar. The leather version of the chair, in good condition, will cost upward of $5,000 or more.