Set of 4 Norman Cherner Plycraft “Pretzel” Chairs
View Similar Items
Set of 4 Norman Cherner Plycraft “Pretzel” Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Norman Cherner (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Depth: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Repaired: Areas of veneer repair. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Asheville, NC
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6720233360612
Norman Cherner
Norman Cherner was an influential designer who explored postwar technological innovations and how to incorporate them into furniture production and architecture. And while its history is complicated, his Cherner chair is one of the most successful examples of mid-century modern molded plywood seating.
Born in New York City, Cherner was an architect and a prolific designer who taught at Columbia University’s Teachers College. An enthusiast of the Bauhaus, he gave lectures in the late 1940s on the principles of the legendary German design school at the Museum of Modern Art.
Cherner was fascinated with the concept of cost-efficient design, and this extended into his pioneering ideas for prefabricated housing. His philosophy was that a modular home should be a complete design concept that included economical furniture and lighting. He published several DIY books, such as How to Build a House for $6,000. Cherner caught the interest of a housing cooperative in upstate New York and was contracted to design and oversee the construction of prefabricated housing in the town of Ramapo. The U.S. Department of Housing assembled a pre-built Cherner home for exhibition in Vienna.
But he is best known for his chair.
In the 1950s, one of George Nelson’s designers, John F. Pile, created the Pretzel chair. It had structural problems and proved too costly to make at Herman Miller, where Nelson was director of design. Production was subcontracted to Massachusetts company Plycraft, but the agreement didn’t last long owing to a dispute between the furniture manufacturers. Based on a recommendation from Nelson, Plycraft sought out Cherner to redesign the chair so that it would be durable and affordable to produce.
Cherner submitted his redesign only to be told that Plycraft had shelved the project. However, Plycraft secretly began producing what would become the Cherner chair under a different name — and Cherner later stumbled across his seat in New York. Cherner sued Plycraft and won. The chair became instantly popular after being featured in a Norman Rockwell illustration for a Saturday Evening Post cover in September of 1961.
Other noteworthy Cherner designs include his Konwiser furniture line, Multiflex storage units and tube lighting. The Museum of Modern Art praised his Konwiser collection as “some of the most progressive furniture designs available to the American public.”
In 1972, Plycraft discontinued production of his chair, and Cherner died in 1987. In 1999, his two sons founded the Cherner Chair Company and began making furniture based on their father's original designs for armchairs, chairs — including the Cherner chair — tables and credenzas.
Find vintage Norman Cherner furniture on 1stDibs today.
- Set of 10 Arne Vodder Danish Teak Tilt Back Dining Chairs - New UpholsteryBy Arne VodderLocated in Asheville, NCThis rare set of 10 dining chairs by renowned designer Arne Vodder features elegant teak frames with a tilt-back design. Recently updated with new webbing, foam, and luxurious grey b...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak
- Pair of Swivel Pod Lounge Chairs w/ New Shearling UpholsteryLocated in Asheville, NCPair of mid century modern swivel pod chairs. New light grey shearling upholstery! 34”x28” 18”SH 29.25”HCategory
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of Vintage Swivel Lounge Chairs in Light Grey ShearlingLocated in Asheville, NCIntroducing a captivating pair of vintage swivel lounge chairs, meticulously refurbished to exemplify both comfort and style. These chairs feature brand-new, luxuriously soft light g...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of Mid Century Scoop Lounge Chairs w/ Chrome Bases - New UpholsteryLocated in Asheville, NCThis pair of vintage chrome scoop lounge chairs has been beautifully updated with new multi blue upholstery. The chrome frames exhibit some scuffing, scratching, patina, and rust, pr...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Viggo Boesen Style Rattan Rocker Lounge Chairs - New UpholsteryLocated in Asheville, NCEnhance your space with the timeless appeal of these delightful rattan rocking chairs, inspired by the iconic designs of Viggo Boesen. Featuring fresh pink and white upholstery, thes...Category
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRattan
- Postmodern Black Leather Lounge ChairLocated in Asheville, NCThis comfortable postmodern lounge chair features luxurious black leather upholstery. It shows light scuffing and scratching from age and use, adding a touch of vintage charm. Dimen...Category
Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Set of Norman Cherner Pretzel Dining Chairs, Made by Plycraft, USA, 1960sBy Norman Cherner, PlycraftLocated in London, GBA set of four original Norman Cherner pretzel dining chairs, made by Plycraft, USA, in the 1960s. Bentwood frames. Priced for the s...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Norman Cherner Pretzel Dining Side Arm Chair Made by Plycraft 1960'sBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Wayne, NJNorman Cherner pretzel dining chair, made by Plycraft in the 1960's. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact us with your delivery zipcode, as we may...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off - Set of 5 Norman Cherner For Plycraft Steam Bent PlywoodBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in New York, NYSET of 5 American Mid-Century dining chairs with beige painted steam bent plywood frames and orange vinyl upholstered backs and seats. (NORMAN CHERNER FOR P...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
$22,500 / set - Mid Century Modern Set of 6 Original Norman Cherner Dining Chairs for PlycraftBy Norman Cherner, PlycraftLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous original set of six Norman Cherner Dining chairs for Plycraft c1955. Totally restored, wood was scrubbed clean and restrained and lacquered. All new upholstery, faux black l...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut
- Set of 6 Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Made by Plycraft, USA, 1963. 2 Arm ChairsBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Buffalo, NYA set of six original Norman Cherner dining chairs, made by Plycraft, USA in the 1960s. Bentwood frames, original patent leatherl seats / backs Plycraft labels to the undersides. Th...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPatent Leather, Walnut, Plywood
- Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of EightBy Norman ChernerLocated in Atlanta, GASet of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
$9,500 / set