Small Hanging Pendant with Birch Dowels by Mel Smilow
About the Item
- Creator:Mel Smilow (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2024
- Production Type:New & Custom(Current Production)
- Estimated Production Time:9-10 weeks
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4994116338752
Mel Smilow
“Enduring, modern and classic” is how mid-century modern furniture designer Mel Smilow used to describe his chairs, benches, coffee tables and other pieces, which were not only functional and durable but were designed to become timeless heirlooms for American families.
Smilow was born in the Bronx, New York, and, in 1939, attended Pratt Institute, where he studied to become a commercial artist. However, his father’s death forced him to discontinue his schooling and, at the age of 17, he took over his father’s role as a wholesale furniture salesman.
Following his stint in the army during World War II, Smilow partnered with colleague Morton Thielle in 1949 to form the furniture manufacturer and retailer Smilow-Thielle. Although they had planned to sell quality furniture made by American manufacturers, Smilow was unsatisfied with their designs and became Smilow-Thielle’s chief designer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Smilow used a variety of American hardwoods such as walnut, beech and oak for his benches, lounge chairs, sofas, table lamps, coffee tables, and other furnishings. One of his more popular designs was the Floating Platform bed — John Lennon and Yoko Ono owned one.
Although Smilow intended his designs to be comfortable and affordable for the “average American family,” his work was defined by the clean lines, delicate construction and symmetry often seen in Scandinavian modernist or Japanese furniture, and it drew attention and acclaim from designers and critics.
For instance, Buckminster Fuller placed Smilow’s rocking chairs in the geodesic dome he designed as the U.S. pavilion for Expo 1967, in Montreal, and Pratt Institute featured his ottoman as part of an exhibition of “well-designed furniture for under $25.” The New York Times, the New Yorker magazine and William Hennessey’s book Modern Furnishings for the Home also featured Smilow’s furniture.
Smilow-Thielle operated retail locations in the New York metro area as well as in Washington, D.C., with the firm’s flagship store occupying prime real estate on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan for several decades. Smilow’s designs have been likened to those of Jens Risom and Børge Mogensen and certainly wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Herman Miller showroom in the postwar era, but they have distinctive joinery details and a quiet strength that make them unique.
In 1969, Smilow and Thielle ended their partnership, with Smilow retaining sole company ownership. In 1981, Smilow retired and closed the business, turning his attention toward sculpting, painting and printmaking.
Although he died in 2002, Smilow’s legacy of furniture-making has lived on. His daughter, Judy, formed Smilow Design in 2013, which carries on her father’s tradition of creating “enduring, modern and classic” designs. Following Judy’s death of ALS in 2018, the company has been run by her husband, Steven Schoenfelder and her two children, who are still managing the brand today.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Mel Smilow seating, tables and lighting.
Smilow Design
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Large Hanging Pendant with Birch Dowels by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYThe Large Hanging Pendant is part of the re-issued Smilow Lighting Collection, originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintrod...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers an...
MaterialsBrass
- Walnut and Birch Bedside Table Lamp by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYThe bedside table lamp is part of the re-issued Smilow Lighting collection, originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2017....Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWalnut, Birch
- Walnut and Birch Hourglass Table Lamp by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYThe Hourglass table lamp is part of the re-issued Smilow Lighting Collection, originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWalnut, Birch
- Walnut and Birch Standing Floor Lamp by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYThe standing floor lamp is part of the re-issued Smilow Lighting Collection., originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 201...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsWalnut, Birch, Maple
- Six Drawer Dresser by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1950 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2017, the solid wood Six Drawer Dresser with leather-lined drawers has a beautifu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Woven Rush Ottoman by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2013, the Woven Rush Ottoman is classically mid...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and P...
MaterialsWalnut, Rush
- Mel Smilow Walnut and Birch Wood Mid Century Modern Hourglass Table LampBy Mel SmilowLocated in Keego Harbor, MIA Mel Smilow walnut and birch hourglass table lamp. A beautiful mid century modern table lamp featuring a lovely curvy hourglass figure. This piece features a wooden construction, an...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBirch, Walnut
- Hanging Pendant LampBy LightolierLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn adjustable patinated brass pendant having as shapely perforated shade and frosted glass diffuser with a brass ring pull. Recoiled cable is concealed in the canopy.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Small Rust Metal Vintage Industrial Factory Pendant Hanging LightsLocated in Amsterdam, NLFactory hanging light. Brown rust iron. Brass strain relief with two meter wire. Measure: Weight: 0.6 kg / 1.3 lb Priced per individual item. All lamps have been made suitable...Category
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Industrial Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsIron
- Hanging Rattan & Wicker PendantLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage hanging lamp with wide split rattan shade, with woven wicker. Large milk glass globe holds a single bulb. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsWicker, Rattan
- Dutch 1950s Hanging PendantLocated in New York, NYA wonderful "Mid-Century" 1950s Dutch chandelier composed of a teak stretcher, rayon cords, milk glass shades, and teak caps. Rewired. The height can be adjusted if needed.Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsTeak, Glass
- Hanging Pendant by GE Mazda X-RayBy MazdaLocated in Sagaponack, NYA fine industrial light fixture having diagonal ribbed decoration.Category
Vintage 1920s American Industrial Chandeliers and Pendants