Design Classics Riki Watanabe Chambre Copper & Teak Mobile, 3 Pieces

Riki Watanabe’s copper and teak mobile from the Chambre bar of Tokyo’s Shinbashi Dai-ichi Hotel, made again in Japan.

Riki Watanabe (1911–2013), a pioneer of modern Japanese design, created this mobile in 1970, and it originally hung above the main bar of the Shinbashi Dai-ichi Hotel in Tokyo. Metrocs, the Tokyo brand that revives historic designs together with their designers and foundations, reissued it in 2017. Three brushed solid-copper discs on oiled teak arms turn slowly on a thin nylon-coated cord, so the piece changes with every movement of air. Copper was Watanabe’s favorite material, and here its warmth meets the grain of teak in a form that feels light despite its solid materials. The mobile measures 19.6″ high and 17″ wide and hangs from a 40″ cord.

Specifications

• Brand: Design Classics
• Maker: Metrocs, Tokyo, Japan
• Designer: Riki Watanabe, 1970
• Type: Hanging mobile, 3 pieces
• Dimensions: 19.6″ H × 17″ W
• Each element: about 16.7″ × 3.1″ × 4.1″ (425 × 80 × 105 mm)
• Cord: 40″, nylon-coated
• Materials: Brushed solid copper plate (vibration finish), oiled solid teak
• Made in: Japan
• Item number (MPN): MG-RW-7

Features

• Three elements of brushed solid copper and oiled solid teak
• Designed by Riki Watanabe in 1970 for the Chambre bar in Tokyo
• Turns gently on a nylon-coated cord
• Reissued and made in Japan by Metrocs
• 19.6″ × 17″ with a 40″ cord

Best for

Above a dining table or a sideboard, in a stairwell or entry, beside a window, or in a lobby, bar or office reception where it can turn in the air. See also: Design Classics Man Ray Kuen Surface Silver Pendant Necklace.

Who this is not for

• Outdoor spaces and damp rooms: solid copper and oiled teak belong indoors (our advice).
• A baby’s crib: it is a design object for adults, not a nursery toy.
• Low passages where people would walk into it; hang it over furniture or above head height.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009. Riki Watanabe was born in Tokyo, studied woodcraft at the Tokyo Higher School of Arts and Design (now Chiba University), worked at the Gunma Industrial Arts Center under Bruno Taut and opened his own design office in 1949. Metrocs, founded in Japan in 2002, works with designers and their foundations to bring historic pieces like this back into production. It joins our Design Classics: icons re-editioned with care.

Buy once: durability and care

Dust it with a soft, dry cloth. Copper darkens and develops a patina over time; handle the elements by the teak arms to keep fingerprints off the metal, and if you prefer the bright finish, a copper polish brings it back (our advice).

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Chambre mobile?

It measures 19.6″ high and 17″ wide, and hangs from a 40″ nylon-coated cord. Each copper-and-teak element is about 16.7″ × 3.1″ × 4.1″.

What is the Chambre mobile made of?

Brushed solid copper plate with a vibration finish, oiled solid teak and a nylon-coated cord.

Where should I hang the Chambre mobile? (our styling advice)

Where it can turn freely: over a dining table or sideboard, in a stairwell, an entry or near a window, at or above head height.

Will the copper on the Chambre mobile change color?

Yes, slowly. Copper naturally darkens into a patina with air and touch; many owners like it, and copper polish restores the shine (our advice).

How do I hang the Chambre mobile?

Tie its 40″ cord to a ceiling hook or a fixed point, then let the elements settle into balance.

Is the Chambre mobile meant for a nursery?

No. It is a design object for adult spaces, not a crib toy.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, contractors and builders can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on Design Classics and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and free catalogs and finish swatches. Applying takes about three minutes; our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day. Ordering for a hotel, office, studio or corporate gifts? Contact us with models and quantities and we’ll confirm availability and lead time.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days. Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.