1950s Mahogany Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Leather Desk Chair Denmark, 1950s
By Normina
Located in London, GB
Description:
A black leather desk chair, produced by Normina, Denmark during the 1950s. With its spareness of line and neatly upholstered leather seat and back, this mahogany framed ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Kaare Klint Armchair Model 3758a in Leather and Mahogany Rud Rasmussen Denmark
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in WIJCKEL, NL
Armchair model 3758 A in original red indian leather and mahogany base. Model designed in 1927 for the Danish Museum of Decorative Art, produced by Rud Rasmussen in the 1940’s. Signe...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$5,738
H 35.44 in W 24.02 in D 21.66 in
Cane Armchair Attributed to Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany and cane armchair attributed to Harvey Probber.
Category
Vintage 1950s Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Barnard & Simonds Blue Leather and Mahogany Armchairs
By Barnard & Simonds
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Chippendale influenced armchairs from Barnard & Simonds, Rochester, NY. Cadet blue leather wrapped arms, back as well as seat with brass nailhead details. Mahogany frames hav...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
Recent Sales
George III Style Armchair
Located in Madrid, Madrid
A mahogany and beige-leather library armchair with buttoned backs and sit. George III style.
Category
Vintage 1950s British Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair 1950s Mahogany Leather Desk Chairs
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair 1950s Leather mahogany framed desk chairs in good condition with generouse wide seat with close studding to the edge and carved cabriol legs.
Category
Vintage 1950s Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Chic Tufted Desk Chair in Leather 1954 (Signed)
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made “Barrel Tufted Desk Chair” model no 5400 with original gray leather on a mahogany base with brass castors by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, 1954 (signed “DUNB...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Armchair Designed by Ole Wanscher, Danish Design, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Armchair in patinated leather designed by Ole Wanschar M.A.A. for Fritz Hansen in 1950s. Made in Denmark. Great condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Mid Century Solid Mahogany Vinyl Folding Compact Campaign Style Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Solid mahogany midcentury folding chairs with clean lines and excellent aesthetics. Sturdy and foldable. Form and function with originality,
circa 1950-60.
Category
Vintage 1950s Romanian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
H 29 in W 18 in D 18 in
Pair of Vintage Chesterfield Leather Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of 1950s Chesterfield style office chairs crafted out of mahogany wood finished in a dark walnut color with a newly lacquered finish and are completely restored. These armchai...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Chesterfield Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Antique Georgian Style Leather and Mahogany Swivel Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
A smart and extremely comfortable vintage leather desk chair, in the antique Georgian style. This dates from circa 1950s, it is of excellent quality.
The green leather has been pr...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Georgian Swivel Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Midcentury Armchair in Patinated Leather, Danish Design, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Danish armchair in patinated leather and mahogany. Designed and made in Denmark, great original condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Office Chairs and Desk Ch...
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Leather and Mahogany Swivel Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
This antique George III style mahogany desk chair is really comfortable due to it’s high back and full upholstery. It has a deep buttoned leather seat and back, with shallow buttons ...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Georgian Swivel Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Leather & Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
Antique deep buttoned leather mahogany desk chair in good original condition & full of character. The leather has a fabulous original look & a wonderful color, with natural fading & ...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Georgian Style Leather Swivel Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
This antique deep buttoned leather swivel desk chair is very comfortable and is full of character. The leather is original and naturally distressed, with a great worn in look. At the...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Peter Hvidt & Orla Møllgaard Nielsen Ax Armchairs for Fritz Hansen, circa 1950
By Peter Hvidt, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Ax Bentwood Armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Møllgaard Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, circa 1950
Outstanding overall condition with minor signs of use to original upholstery. Cush...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Cotton, Mahogany, Teak
H 30.5 in W 24 in D 26 in
Brass Handle Desk Chair with Greek Key Design
By Grosfeld House
Located in St. Louis, MO
In the style of Grosfeld House mahogany frame desk chair with brass handle, caned back, Greek key design, splayed fluted legs and black leather seat. Original leather seat, has some ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Danish Chesterfield Style Court Chair in Patinated Green Leather
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stylish and very nice Chesterfield-style court chair in green leather and mahogany from the 1950s. The frame is solid mahogany with all the brass studs individually hand nailed in pl...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Chesterfield Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
H 29.75 in W 22.5 in L 29.75 in
Classic Midcentury Armchair Designed by Ole Wanscher, Danish Design, 1950s
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Armchair in patinated leather designed by Ole Wanschar M.A.A. for A.J. Iversen Cabinetmakers in 1950s. Made in Denmark. Great condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
H 32.29 in W 25.99 in D 21.66 in
Antique Mahogany and Leather Captains Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian style mahogany captains desk chair upholstered in the original deep buttoned leather. The leather is in good original condition and shows a lot of character. This c...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Edwardian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Regency Style Leather and Mahogany Swivel Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
Antique Regency style mahogany swivel desk armchair upholstered in deep buttoned brown leather hand tacked onto the frame. Not only does it swivel, but it tilts back and can be adjus...
Category
Vintage 1950s English Regency Swivel Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Axe or Ax Chairs by Hvidt & Molgaard-Nielsen in Beech with Mahogany Inlays, Pair
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Fritz Hansen
Located in New Westminster, British Columbia
This gorgeous pair of Danish modern beech and mahogany bent ply Axe or Ax armchairs were designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen in the 1950s. The armchairs are rare enough, ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Beech, Mahogany
H 29.75 in W 23.5 in D 28 in
Classic Desk Chair in Leather by Ole Wanscher
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Lejre, DK
Arm chair in patinated leather designed by Ole Wanschar M.A.A. for A.J. Iversen Cabinetmakers in 1950s. Made in Denmark. Great condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Midcentury Mahogany Regency Style Barrel Library Chair with Faux Bamboo Legs
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handsome vintage mahogany Regency style barrel back library chair with faux bamboo legs. Features carved faux bamboo form legs, barrel back, new velvet stripe upholstery, solid wood ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Regency Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Brass Handle Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar desk or dining chair with tapered legs and brass handle or handhold, circa 1950s. Shown in all original condition with vintage Asian style fabric, has mi...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Brass Handle Armchair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar desk or dining chair with tapered legs and brass handle or handhold, circa 1950s. Shown in all original condition with vintage Asian style fabric, has mi...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
Mahogany & Crimson Upholstered Slope-Arm Desk Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved solid mahogany frame and crimson silk /linen upholstered arm or desk chair. Large mahogany dowel arms run from the tapered dowel legs up to the carved angle supports,then to j...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Faux Bamboo, Mahogany, Upholstery
Hans Wegner "The Chair"
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in London, England
Possibly the most iconic and recognizable chair of the Danish modern era. Hans Wegner's masterpiece designed in 1949 and simply known as 'The Chair' gained notoriety after it was use...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mahogany Round Chairs by Hans J. Wegner
By Johannes Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An excellent group of sculptural and elegant hand-crafted mahogany Round chairs having exposed frames and oiled leather seats.
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk Chair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Portland, OR
A distinguished desk chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture Company. Arm height is 25".
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of High Back Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of high back armchairs, located in New York.
Original condition.
Category
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 20th Century Worn Leather Gainsborough Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
A good example of a mid 20th century reddish/brown leather Gainsborough chair, the leather having a worn appearance.
The chair has a mahogany frame and is in stable condition and ...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Gunlocke Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Extremely well built architectural chairs, embossed in the rear leg with a brass rondel with the company "W.H. Gunlocke" cipher. If these look familiar, they have a pair on the TV s...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, PVC
Pair of Mahogany Desk Chairs
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
Pair of mahogany framed desk chairs, now covered in the best quality cowhide, square tapering supports, mid-20th century.
Category
Vintage 1950s British Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Amarillo, TX
Edward Wormley
desk chair
Dunbar
USA, 1950s
leather, mahogany
34 w x 34 d x 36 inches
Edward Wormley for Dunbar desk chair.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of High Back Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original condition. Located in NY.
Category
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Dining Chairs By Jacob kjaer
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Elegant set of 7,yes 7,custom ordered dining chairs in beautiful red/brown leather from Jacob kjaer.Six sides and one arm. Chairs in mahogany with a rosewood stain. Complete with ori...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood
Executive desk chair in white leather by Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Providence, RI
Executive desk chair in cream colored leather and mahogany designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
We offer free delivery within the Long Island / Greater NYC,
northern New Jersey...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
An Italian Modern Mahogany Armchair, by Borsani
Located in Hollywood, FL
the upholstered back and seat over tapered arms and legs
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
T Chair after Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in New York, NY
A mahogany side chair with a slender, curved crestrail and two tapering backposts terminating in flared rear legs, with black leatherette upholstered seat cushion and webbed seat sup...
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Side Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
Pair Barnard & Simonds Blue Leather & Mahogany Arm Chairs
By Barnard & Simonds
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Chippendale influenced arm chairs from Barnard & Simonds, Rochester, NY. Cadet blue leather wrapped arms, back as well as seat with brass nail head details. Mahogany frames h...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Executive Desk Chair - Edward Wormley
Located in Bridport, CT
Executive desk chair in cream colored leather and mahogany by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Jacob Kjaer Arm Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jacob Kjaer Arm Chair Designed in 1957
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
Executive Desk Chair by Dunbar
Located in Ferndale, MI
Executive desk chair designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in cream colored leather. Tilt/Swivel, the chairs seat height adjusts from 18 inches to 22 inches.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Steel
Paul McCobb chair
Located in Hudson, NY
Great Paul McCobb bleached mahogany chair covered in leather.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
High back black office chair by Monteverdi-Young
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A high back office chair with tufted black leather and mahogany arms and legs on casters by Monteverdi-Young.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
High back leather office chair by Monteverdi-Young
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A scalloped black leather executive office chair by Monteverdi-Young. This chair features brass stud detailing and rests on a mahogany base with ebonized walnut pads. Seat Depth: 21.5"
Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mahogany sidechairs by Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mahogany sidechairs with bronze sabots by Jules Leleu
Category
Vintage 1950s French Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Set of Eight Dining Chairs by Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
This is one of Probber's most sculptural dining chair designs. Every chair in the set of eight is an armchair.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Mahogany, Cane, Upholstery
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Red Iron Double Sconces , France 1950
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sconces in red painted steel, nice patina. Reminiscent of the creations of a famous designer we apparently can't mention. Two pairs are available.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Iron
Fireplace Screen in Metal with a Blackened Steel Finish Customizable
By Redsoul
Located in Seattle, WA
The Court Screen is a modern metal fireplace screen cover that can be used flush fitted into the fireplace opening or can stand right outside a fireplace opening. It protects from sp...
Category
2010s American Industrial Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Materials
Steel
$1,498 / item
H 28 in W 36 in D 6 in
Pair of French Wrought Iron Martini Tables
Located in London, GB
Wrought iron martini tables, hand made in England inspired by an original 1940s French design.
Finished with a natural bronze patina as standard. Can also be supplied in black or gi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Side Tables
Materials
Iron
Severin Hansen Model 36 Oak Desk - New Edition
By Severin Hansen
Located in London, England
The iconic Model 36 desk from Danish designer Severin Hansen was designed in 1958 and exhibited at the annual Cabinetmaker’s Guild Exhibition in Copenhagen in the same year. It went ...
Category
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Pair of Park Night Stands in Oak by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the Park nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the idea is to create special pieces that you can build ...
Category
2010s South African Minimalist Night Stands
Materials
Wood
$5,260 / set
H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö.
This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Textile
$1,320 Sale Price / item
20% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
The 'F.A. 33' Mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Materials
Brass
$1,599 / item
H 31.49 in W 21.25 in D 0.98 in
Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstaette Fabric Department Pendant, Re-Edition
By Woka Lamps, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
A simple but sensational fixture, designed by Josef Hoffmann, for the fabric department of the Wiener Werkstaette on Kaerntnerstrasse in Vienna. Style and color of the fabric custom-...
Category
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Silk
$6,455 / item
H 39.38 in Dm 37.41 in
Single Black Opaline Table Lamp by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Black Opaline Table Lamp by Jacques Adnet. Designed and manufactured in France, circa 1940s. Black opaline spherical base with a newly fabricated linen shade. Lamp holds one E...
Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Linen, Opaline Glass
Swedish Cabinet in Stained Pinewood by Göran Malmvall for Svensk Fur, 1940s
By Goran Malmvall, Svensk Fur
Located in Odense, DK
Rare cabinet in dark stained pinewood by Göran Malmvall for Svensk Fur. Pair of doors with relief decor. 4 shelves with dovetail joints. Original key included.
Göran Malmvall (1917-...
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Materials
Pine
$9,324
H 43.31 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Category
2010s American Modern Stools
Materials
Wood, Oak
"Corail" Red Ceramic Tiles & Ferronerie d'Art Wrought Iron Coffee Table - 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Ceramic tiles coffee table with "ferronerie d'art" wrought iron feet structure. Outstanding silverish patina on the iron. Elegant "torsades" motifs on the legs.
In good vintage con...
Category
Vintage 1970s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
$5,600
H 17.72 in W 30.32 in D 18.51 in
Large Finnish Floral Silk Flush Mount, 1940s
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Finnish floral flush mount from the 1940s. Handmade silk shade with embroidered floral details. Brass details. Good vintage condition, minor patina and wear consistent with age and u...
Category
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Flush Mount
Materials
Brass
Danish Midcentury Teak double bed with Cane headboard by Hans Wegner for Getama
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Berlin, Germany
Elegantely shaped double bed model GE 701 designed by Hans Wegner in the 1960s and produced by Getama. The headboard is made of woven cane and has floating side tables with black gla...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Cane, Teak
$4,483 Sale Price
25% Off
H 30.32 in W 87.41 in D 74.81 in
Brutalist Mid-Century Oak De Puydt Dining Chairs '12+'
Located in London, GB
A run of dining chairs by De Puydt,
Belgium, c1970s.
Solid oak. Well constructed, comfy and solid.
Priced and sold individually.
We have a volume of these in stock. Normally a...
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Mid-20th Century Belgian Dining Room Chairs
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Wood
Set of Ten Early 'Zig Zag' Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina, 1973, Signed
By Gerrit Rietveld, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of ten early year 'Zig Zag' chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina are the holy grail of collectors pieces. Extremely rare and coveted, original 'Zig Zag' chairs are a part o...
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$41,100 Sale Price / set
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H 29.25 in W 14.75 in D 17 in
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1950s Mahogany Office Chairs and Desk Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are several options of 1950s mahogany office chairs and desk chairs available for sale. 1950s mahogany office chairs and desk chairs bearing Mid-Century Modern or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Some 1950s mahogany office chairs and desk chairs are too large for some spaces — a variety of smaller 1950s mahogany office chairs and desk chairs, measuring 13 inches across, are available at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made 1950s mahogany office chairs and desk chairs over the years, but those made by Ole Wanscher, Edward Wormley and Dunbar are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much are 1950s Mahogany Office Chairs and Desk Chairs?
Prices for 1950s mahogany office chairs and desk chairs start at $950 and top out at $29,478 with the average selling for $2,959.
Finding the Right Office Chairs And Desk Chairs for You
An essential part of every office or home workstation, office chairs and desk chairs are critically important to your comfort and getting the job done.
Desk chairs have evolved over time. While writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson pined for a wider range of motion and introduced some improvements to his English-style Windsor chair, inventing the swivel chair along the way. So the next time you roll, recline or swivel at your vintage desk, remember: The third president of the United States had a lot to do with that functionality.
Changes in the availability of resources have also led to innovations in desk chair design. After World War II, for example, optimistic American designers made use of wartime materials in their efforts to create practical domestic goods.
Mid-century modernism is the name given to the broad postwar time period that prioritized thoughtful design. Journalist Cara Greenberg, who coined the term “mid-century modernism,” cites “ergonomic wisdom” as part of the reason for the longevity of the era’s furnishings, and when it comes to sitting in a desk chair for hours at a time, what could be more important than ergonomic support?
As mid-century modernism was marked by resourcefulness and boundless creativity — and produced designers who, in most cases, prioritized comfort and support — it follows that all mid-century chairs are not the same. Nowhere is this perhaps more evident than at Herman Miller. The legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer got its start in the office, with design director George Nelson enlisting the likes of Charles and Ray Eames to produce desk chairs and lounge chairs that are still celebrated today. Elsewhere at the time, the numerous pieces Florence Knoll created for Knoll’s office furniture line were envisioned as design solutions for the changing needs of residential and office spaces.
If you’re working remotely and streamlined seating isn’t your thing, don’t be afraid of making a statement with your office chair. Introduce a touch of drama to your video calls by way of 19th-century desk accessories and the alluring forms we typically associate with antique desk chairs designed in the Empire and Regency styles. For a minimalist touch, a spare, utilitarian Industrial-style office chair can work in any space but will fit in particularly well amid the exposed brick and steel architecture that characterizes a loft apartment.
An inspiring home office cleverly mixes materials and styles to create a welcoming place of productivity and comfort, and if you’re gathering with colleagues at your company HQ, an array of wood, leather and metal office chairs can help integrate disparate textures in a conference room or any other collaborative space. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse collection of office and desk chairs today.
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