Classic Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Desk and Chair, Bookcase Side
View Similar Items
Classic Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Desk and Chair, Bookcase Side
About the Item
- Creator:Heywood-Wakefield Co. (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 43.5 in (110.49 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Height: 25 in. (63.5 cm) Width: 43.5 in. (110.49 cm) Depth: 22 in. (55.88 cm).
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062426496792
Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Created by the 19th-century merger of two venerable Massachusetts furniture makers, Heywood-Wakefield was one of the largest and most successful companies of its kind in the United States. In its early decades, the firm thrived by crafting affordable and hugely popular wicker pieces in traditional and historical styles. In the midst of the Great Depression, however, Heywood-Wakefield reinvented itself, creating instead the first modernist furnishings to be widely embraced in American households.
The Heywoods were five brothers from Gardner, Massachusetts, who in 1826 started a business making wooden chairs and tables in their family shed. As their company grew, they moved into the manufacture of furniture with steam-bent wood frames and cane or wicker seats, backs and sides. In 1897, they joined forces with a local rival, the Wakefield Rattan Company, whose founder, Cyrus Wakefield, got his start on the Boston docks buying up lots of discarded rattan, which was used as cushioning material in the holds of cargo ships, and transforming it into furnishings. The conglomerate initially did well with both early American style and woven pieces, but taste began to change at the turn of the 20th century and wicker furniture fell out of fashion. In 1930, the company brought in designer Gilbert Rohde, a champion of the Art Deco style. Before departing in 1932 to lead the Michigan furniture maker Herman Miller, Rohde created well-received sleek, bentwood chairs for Heywood-Wakefield and gave its colonial pieces a touch of Art Deco flair.
Committed to the new style, Heywood-Wakefield commissioned work from an assortment of like-minded designers, including Alfons Bach, W. Joseph Carr, Leo Jiranek and Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, a Russian nobleman who had made his name in Europe creating elegant automotive body designs.
In 1936, the company introduced its “Streamline Modern” group of furnishings, presenting a look that would define the company’s wares for another 30 years. The buoyantly bright, blond wood — maple initially, later birch — came in finishes such as amber “wheat” and pink-tinted “champagne.” The forms of the pieces, at once light and substantial, with softly contoured edges and little adornment beyond artful drawer pulls and knobs, were featured in lines with names such as “Sculptura,” “Crescendo” and “Coronet.” It was forward-looking, optimistic and built to last — a draw for middle-class buyers in the Baby Boom years.
By the 1960s, Heywood-Wakefield began to be seen as “your parents’ furniture.” The last of the Modern line came out in 1966; the company went bankrupt in 1981. The truly sturdy pieces have weathered the intervening years well, having found a new audience for their blithe and happy sophistication.
Find a collection of vintage Heywood-Wakefield desks, chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Elegant Heywood Wakefield Ladies Writing Desk & ChairBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Buffalo, NYElegant Heywood Wakefield Ladies Writing Desk & Chair.. Classic mid century modern,Wonderful original finish.Solid birch wood.. Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en ro...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsFabric, Birch
- Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Drop Leaf Serving Bar CartBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Buffalo, NYRare Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Drop Leaf Serving Bar Cart..Nice original condition.Wonderful color ,patina, design. Multi-purpose serving cart for use as a bar cart, a se...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsBirch
- Classic Modernist Lounge Chair by Heywood Wakefield , after Gio PontiBy Heywood-Wakefield Co., (After) Gio PontiLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Modernist Lounge Chair by Heywood Wakefield , Reminiscent of amazing designed chairs by Gio Ponti. Angular solid birch wood legs.Recently reupholstered in a nice cream /off w...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Birch
- Mid-Century Modern Desk and Chair by Russell Wright for Conant BallBy Russel Wright, Conant BallLocated in Buffalo, NYSimple ,,smart design..... Conant ball desk and matching spindle chair in maple,,,, Russel Wright for Conant Ball Furniture Makers Mid-Century Modern ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsCane, Birch
- Mid-Century Modern Child, Student Desk manner of Jean ProveBy Jean ProuvéLocated in Buffalo, NYMid-Century Modern Childs ,Student Desk manner of Jean Prove,,green metal,steel painted frame.plywood desk top with grey laminate storageCategory
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Classic Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Florence Knoll Desk KnollBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic midcentury walnut and chrome Florence Knoll desk features richly grained walnut top chromed steel frame, pencil drawer and file drawer. Retains early Knoll label.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Side ChairBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Freehold, NJThis mid century modern side chair by Heywood Wakefield features hardwood construction, original champagne finish, vintage upholstery and tall tapered legs. Please check out our oth...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch, Maple
$520 Sale Price20% Off - Heywood Wakefield Style Mid Century Ladder Back Chairs, PairBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Countryside, ILHeywood Wakefield style mid century ladder back chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 20 wide x 21 deep x 37 inches high, with a seat hei...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Heywood Wakefield Mid Century Tuxedo Dining Chairs, Set of 6By Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Countryside, ILHeywood Wakefield mid century tuxedo dining chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 19 wide x 21 deep x 31.75 high, with a seat height of 18 inches...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Heywood Wakefield OttomanBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Clarksboro, NJThis listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Ottoman. Featuring a curved rectangular top, champagne wood legs, and new upholste...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWood, Upholstery
- Mid-Century Modern Oak Lounge Chair by Heywood WakefieldBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Brooklyn, NYHandsome, Mid-Century Modern, lounge chair by Heywood Wakefield features a low-profile, oak frame with wide upturned arms. The cushions are newly upholstered in red tweed blend.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Rare Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Victorian Wicker Conversation Gossip ChairBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Miami Beach, FLPerhaps the Rarest of all Victorian Wicker pieces, this parlor chair was used for Ladies to gossip while not facing one another or to limit contact between courting couples. Victoria...Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Loveseats
MaterialsWicker