Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons Italian Walnut Asymmetrical Desk
About the Item
- Creator:M. Singer & Sons (Manufacturer),Bertha Schaefer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 53.5 in (135.89 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:ca. 1955
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Very good, conservatively refinished condition with a couple of small, light surface dings, scuffs to the pencil drawer, and edge wear to the three drawer bank, as shown.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:
M. Singer & Sons
New York furniture manufacturer M. Singer & Sons is well known to collectors of dazzling mid-century modern design — the company played an integral role in introducing Italian furniture masters to the American marketplace and introduced striking dining room tables, lounge chairs and dressers that were created in rich woods and met the day’s growing demand for sleek and simple furnishings.
While M. Singer & Sons had been offering upholstered furniture out of its storefront in downtown Manhattan in as early as 1923, it is today widely recognized for the alluring tables, seating and other designs of the postwar era.
M. Singer & Sons rose to prominence in the 1950s. A boom in prosperity followed World War II, and new homeowners all over the United States were seeking modern furniture to move into their living rooms and dining rooms. This yielded a heyday of innovation, and the likes of Herman Miller, Knoll and other furniture manufacturers of the era endeavored to position themselves as leaders in the space. M. Singer & Sons was no different, and the company’s success over the subsequent decade can be credited to Joe Singer, who was then steering the ship.
Singer saw how important it was to offer furnishings in a style that broke from the bulky and overly ornamental pieces that characterized interiors in the previous century — M. Singer & Sons would need to manufacture streamlined storage cabinets, low-profile coffee tables and practical but comfortable seating that didn’t occupy lots of real estate.
It was thanks to his quest for modernist furniture that Singer discovered legendary polymath Gio Ponti, arguably the most influential figure in 20th-century Italian modernism.
Singer reached out to Ponti and offered a partnership for M. Singer & Sons to bring the Milanese designer’s work to America. He created elegant armchairs, sideboards set on tapered legs and more for the company. At the same time, Singer struck up a collaboration with Bertha Schaefer, an acclaimed Mississippi-born interior decorator and the owner of an important Manhattan art gallery at the time Schaefer, an enthusiast of Bauhaus design, would go on to create sculptural walnut desks, angular seating framed in mahogany and other pieces for the brand. With conceptual input from Ponti, she developed a furniture line called Modern by Singer.
The new collection — which merged the alluring forms and materials associated with Italian modernism and quality American manufacturing — was an instant success for M. Singer & Sons. Smooth lines, exceptional hardwoods and luxurious finishes lent the line a high-end feel and spurred demand.
A Schaefer-designed nesting table from the Modern by Singer line was included in 1952’s “Good Design” exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, which featured work from the likes of George Nelson, Paul McCobb, Jens Risom and others.
M. Singer & Sons introduced Ponti to an American audience, and he, in turn, introduced the company chairman to Italian designers like Ico Parisi and Carlo Mollino. These relationships also developed into successful collaborations that helped cement M. Singer & Sons' presence and prominence in modern American furniture.
Today, M. Singer & Sons’ designs by Schaefer and its stable of Italian designers are coveted and collected all over the world.
Find vintage M. Singer & Sons furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Gio Ponti for BNL Walnut and Brass Writing Table / DeskBy Gio PontiLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic writing table designed in the 1940s by Gio Ponti for Schirolli to furnish BNL (Banca Nazionale del Lavoro) offices across Italy. This early 1950s model was acquired directly f...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Italian Modern Walnut and Steel Desk with Blue Laminate TopLocated in Brooklyn, NYSingle-drawer desk composed of a light blue laminate surface with walnut trim, drawer and foot rest, all supported by a black steel base with patinated brass, adjustable feet (ca. 19...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Silvio Cavatorta Diminutive Desk with Companion Table in Walnut and Green GlassBy Silvio CavatortaLocated in Brooklyn, NYHandsome Italian Modernist Silvio Cavatorta two-piece desk and table set in deeply sculpted Italian Walnut with green glass surfaces. (ca. 1950, Italy). Boasts dramatic lines and ric...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Desks
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Petite Italian Modern Stained Mahogany Writing Desk by Gio Ponti for SchirolliBy Gio PontiLocated in Brooklyn, NYDiminutive Italian student desk in stained mahogany designed by Gio Ponti for Schirolli, ca. 1950s, Italy. Sculptural form with angular leg details, presenting a sharp profile. There are three drawers and an additional open storage section created by the space between the top drawer and surface apron. Surface is a gray laminate, which can appear light blue depending on the light. Moderate wear present (scuffs to the laminate along with some scratches and old fills/repairs to the front and back concealing minor veneer losses and screw/drill holes). Drawers slide smoothly, and desk presents well. Lock is branded "Schirolli Mantova...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Large Italian Rosewood and Leather Conference Table/Desk By Hans Von KlierBy Hans Von KlierLocated in Brooklyn, NYStunning, large conference table/executive desk designed by Hans Von Klier for Skipper (ca. 1970, Italy). Composed of a wrapped black leather middle section flanked by resin-coated...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables
MaterialsLeather, Epoxy Resin, Wood, Rosewood, Lacquer
- Raymond Loewy for Hill-Rom Single Pedestal Student DeskBy The Hill-Rom Company, Raymond LoewyLocated in Brooklyn, NY1960s single pedestal desk by Raymond Loewy for Hill-Rom composed of a walnut and brushed metal frame with inset brushed aluminum pulls and laminate top. Restored condition but wear ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- Bertha Schaefer for Singer & Sons DeskBy Bertha SchaeferLocated in Atlanta, GAElegant modern desk, designed by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons, circa 1950s. Beautiful graining to the Italian walnut, especially to the top. Schaefer was one of the leading fe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Bertha Schaefer for Singer & Sons American Mid-Century Angle Top Writing DeskBy Bertha SchaeferLocated in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century walnut writing desk with an angular top and two left-hand drawers, supported by five tapered dowel legs connected by stretchers. (BERTHA SCHAEFER FOR SINGER & SONS)Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWalnut, Wood
- Bertha Schaefer Credenza by Singer & SonsBy M. Singer & Sons, Bertha SchaeferLocated in New York, NYBertha Schaefer credenza by Singer & Sons. Credenza features four drawers with two doors that each conceal storage with a single adjustable shelf. Nice lines.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Sons Chest of DrawersBy Bertha SchaeferLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA stylish 1950s cabinet by Bertha Schaefer for Singer & Sons. Inside four drawers and two adjustable shelves. Signed with the manufacturer's label.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- Bodil Kjaer for E Pedersen & Son MCM Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome DeskBy E. Pedersen & Søn, Bodil KjaerLocated in Countryside, ILBodil Kjaer for E. Pedersen & Son Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome Desk This desk measures: 72.75 wide x 38 deep x 28.75 high, with a chair clearance of 24.25 inches All p...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- Bodil Kjaer Executive Free Standing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son DenmarkBy Bodil Kjaer, E. Pedersen & SønLocated in WIJCKEL, NLBodil Kjaer large freestanding rosewood executive desk, model 901 with chrome-plated metal frame, cassette top with four recessed drawers. Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark. Manufacturer’s label to the underside. Key included. The rosewood is Santos rosewood, no CITES export document is applicable. The desk featured in the 1960s in the New York Times and The Sunday Times. It became even more famous when it was in some of the first James Bond films: ‘From Russia with love’ & ‘You only live twice’. The desk also appeared prominently in BBC election broadcasts. Literature: Mobilia, June 1961. Young executives that Bodil Kjær encountered in her work in architecture and design in the late 1950es were open, creative and flexible in their way of working. So, she reasoned that it would be counter-productive for them to be offered traditional office furniture, and set out to design a system of office units...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal