Bill Sofield for Baker McGuire Baton Desk
View Similar Items
Bill Sofield for Baker McGuire Baton Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Bill Sofield (Designer),McGuire (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Width: 69 in (175.26 cm)Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2010s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. The desk is in good condition with some wear marks to the wood surfaces. The leather top has scratches and wear marks, please see the detailed photos.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU835028884512
McGuire
Like so many artists and designers, husband and wife John McGuire (1920–2013) and Elinor Stevenson (1914–2005) became masters in their trade by accident. For the founders of McGuire Furniture Company, well, furniture wasn’t actually in the plans.
The couple met just before the start of World War II (during which John was in the U.S. Navy and Elinor was a navigation instructor) and got married after it ended. They settled down in San Francisco where John held a couple of jobs — among them selling newspaper ads for the San Francisco Examiner while Elinor worked for Boeing Aircraft. Soon, an old Navy buddy of John’s asked him to help sell a bunch of rattan furniture and, needing the money, John agreed. His side business became so successful that John decided to quit his ad-sales job and work full-time in design.
In 1948, McGuire Furniture Company was born. Alongside the mid-century modern furniture designs then gaining popularity in the United States, John introduced an unconventional idea: traditional armchairs, stools and tables made of natural materials such as bamboo, which was strong yet could be rendered pliable when steamed, that were intended for the indoors rather than the front porch.
The brand’s first success was the now famous Director’s X-Chair by Leonard Linden. The military-campaign-style solid oak folding chair launched in 1956 and saw rattan binded with rawhide strips and a high-grade leather slug seat and back that eliminated the need for a plush cushion. Elinor, too, designed some of the brand’s popular pieces, such as 1968’s Cracked Ice chair. With its rattan oval back a dazzling celebration of geometric forms that give it its charming moniker, the Cracked Ice chair was an instant classic and is one of the brand’s most recognizable designs.
Today, McGuire and another American furniture manufacturer, Baker Furniture Company, comprise Baker Interiors Group. McGuire remains true to the founders’ ideals and commitment to crafting the kind of organic modern furnishings that are synonymous with the warm and relaxed feel of California design. The company has collaborated with interior designers Steven Volpe, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy and Nicole Hollis, and, as of 2019, its luxury furnishings share a 16,500-square-foot showroom with Baker’s in San Francisco. Some of the earliest McGuire Furniture Company designs are part of the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
Find a range of McGuire Furniture on 1stDibs.
- Bridges over Time Originals Custom Orange DeskBy Bridges over Time OriginalsLocated in Palm Springs, CAA beautiful custom orange and chrome banded desk with three drawers. It is finished on the back as well. It is approximately 57.75 by 27.75 inches in dimension and approximately 30.2...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Faux Crocodile Leather Desk Bronze Glass InsetBy Karl SpringerLocated in Palm Springs, CAA stunning faux crocodile clad desk with a bronze glass inset. The leather is beautifully hand sewn on the desk and features striking graining. The clearance of the desk is 27.5 inch...Category
20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Glass
- Robert Newton Designed Desk for Alvarado InteriorsBy Alvarado, Robert NewtonLocated in Palm Springs, CAA nice wood and aluminum desk designed by Robert Newton for Alvarado of Colorado. two drawer with fittings and aluminum clad bases, this piece has been restored. It is good restored ...Category
20th Century American Desks
- Beautiful Swirling Curl Bronze by Bill Keating Dated 1983By Bill KeatingLocated in Palm Springs, CAA quite elegant bronze by the noted sculptor Bill Keating signed and dated 1983. It is beautifully patinated. we have had a number of this artist's works and love his forms and swirl...Category
Vintage 1980s American Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
$2,400 Sale Price50% Off - Casella 1970s Brass Desk LampBy Casella LightingLocated in Palm Springs, CAA 1970s Casella of San Francisco brass desk lamp, which retains it's original label. It has 2 sockets and we've added two new bulbs. It has been polished but has some minor age and u...Category
Vintage 1970s American Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Rare Gucci Alligator / Crocodile Leather 5 Piece Desk SetBy GucciLocated in Palm Springs, CAA fabulous and rare Gucci 5 piece desk set in either Alligator or Crocodile real leather or embossed leather. Likely from the 1970's although I've seen pieces attributed to the 1960'...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Desk Sets
MaterialsLeather
- Twig Occasional Side Table by Bill Sofield for Baker FurnitureBy Bill Sofield, Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous "Twig" side table by Bill Sofield for Baker Furniture, circa 2000s. This super fun occasional accent table has bronze twig li...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
$1,400 Sale Price20% Off - Elinor McGuire Model 226c Writing DeskBy John and Elinor McGuire, McGuireLocated in Highland, INThis exquisite design by Elinor McGuire for McGuire of San Fransisco is an exercise in subtle beauty and refined detailing. With a body covered in cane, slightly splayed legs, and so...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Asian Inspired Desk by Michael Taylor for BakerBy Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Atlanta, GAAsian inspired desk by Michael Taylor for Baker, American, circa 1960s. This piece is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choic...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Bill Sofield for Baker 66" Long Modern One Drawer Mahogany Coffee TableBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Philadelphia, PABill Sofield for Baker 66" Long Modern One Drawer Mahogany Coffee Table. Item features a single center drawer with working lock and key, slightly angled legs, beautiful wood grain, o...Category
Late 20th Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Elinor and John McGuire set for Lyda Levi: desk with bamboo director’s chairBy John and Elinor McGuireLocated in Roma, RMElinor and John McGuire set for Lyda Levi: desk with bamboo director’s chair, leather bindings, brass and canvas details. San Francisco 1970s. Product details Desk dimensions: 85 W x...Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Barbara Barry for Baker Mahogany Writing Desk or Console, Newly RefinishedBy Baker Furniture Company, Barbara BarryLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous contemporary mahogany console sofa table or writing desk By Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture USA, circa 1990s Measures: 32" W x 20" D x 25" H. Newly refinishe...Category
1990s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
