George Nakashima Walnut Captain's Armchairs, Pair
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Captain's Armchairs, 1962, with spindle backs on turned wood legs. 28.25" H x 23.5" W x 17.5" D; seat: 17.25" H. Pr...
Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut Captain's Armchairs, Pair
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Captain's Armchairs, 1962, with spindle backs on turned wood legs. 28.25" H x 23.5" W x 17.5" D; seat: 17.25" H. Pr...
Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut Captain's Armchairs, Pair
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Captain's Armchairs, 1962, with spindle backs on turned wood legs. 28.25" H x 23.5" W x 17.5" D; seat: 17.25" H. Pr...
Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut Captain's Armchairs, Pair
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Captain's Armchairs, 1962, with spindle backs on turned wood legs. 28.25" H x 23.5" W x 17.5" D; seat: 17.25" H. Pr...
Walnut
$2,162Sale Price / set|20% Off
Georges Coslin Armchairs Midcentury Mid Sixties
By Georges Coslin
Located in bari, IT
Pair of elegant armchairs in teak leather seats. The backrest has the possibility of reclining in three different inclinations. Designer Georges Coslin for 3V Arredamenti Padova late...
Faux Leather, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Armchair & Ottoman by Georges Frydman - France 1960's
By Georges Frydman, EFA
Located in New York, NY
Rarest "Tube Coudé" lacquered steel legs armchair and ottoman by Georges Frydman for EFA, France. Brass screws on armrests sides. This armchair will ship from France and can be ret...
Steel
George Nelson Coconut Armchair for Vitra
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Vienna, AT
The armchair was designed by George Nelson for Vitra in 1955. The coconut chair is an icon of the design of the 1950s and is still a cult today. With clear shapes and reduced mate...
Plastic, Bouclé
$9,750Sale Price / set|22% Off
George Nakashima Armchairs, Black Walnut, Signed with Client's Name
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
George Nakashima Armchairs, Black Walnut, Signed. Pair of walnut Nakashima armchairs in good un-restored original condition. Both chairs are signed on the underside of the seat with ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Chrome Armchair
By George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, 1970s, chrome framed armchair features ebonized maple armrests and newly upholstered seat and back in a moss green, cotton linen blend.
Chrome
Pair of George Nelson Armchairs in Cowhide Upholstery
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller armchairs with new cowhide upholstery.
Cowhide, Walnut
Armchair by George Nelson for Herman Miller Restored
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Nelson armchair in new blue Maharam fabric. Blonde Primavera frame in excellent condition.
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of George Nelson Armchairs for Herman Miller - Fully Reupholstered
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of George Nelson Armchairs for Herman Miller – Fully Reupholstered Elegant pair of armchairs designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, an iconic collaboration that helped de...
Metal
Georges van Rijck 'Cantilever' Armchair in Blue Checkered Upholstery
By Georges van Rijck, Beaufort
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, 'Cantilever' lounge chair, fabric, wood and steel, Belgium, 1970s. This playful 'Cantilever' armchair is designed by Georges van Rijck. The chair sho...
Steel
Early Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic & very early George Nakashima design, the spindle back straight chair. This 1940's example is made of solid Birch with signature saddle seat. Probably refinished at some po...
Wood
18th Century English George III Period Mahogany Armchair with Modern Fabric
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a finely carved 1760 English George III armchair. The George III period was named after the English monarch of the time. It was popular among the elite and mercantile class o...
Mahogany
2009 George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Armchair 3x Available
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Swag Leg Chairs, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples were produced in the USA and date to 2009. The chairs are compris...
Steel
Set of Four Paddle Armchairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four armchairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller in black aniline leather. Original Herman Miller circle tag present to underside as shown.
Chrome
$1,039Sale Price / set|36% Off
Pair of Mid=Century Modern Black Vinyl and Chrome Paddle Armchairs
By George Nelson
Located in East Freetown, MA
Pair of black vinyl and chrome armchairs. Chairs have wooden paddle arms and thick chrome side support bar.
Chrome
Pair Walnut and Shagreen Leather Armchairs by George Reinoehl for Stow & Davis
By George Reinoehl, Stow Davis
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome and solid pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut armchairs designed by George Reinoehl for Stow Davis, Grand Rapids, MI.
Brass
$2,800 / item
Original George Nelson Pretzel Chair, Leather
By George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and beautiful ''Pretzel'' ArmChair, laminated wood and dark brown leather seat. Manufactured in the 1984/1986 in Italy by ICF De Padova. Price is for one chair. Pair available.
Leather, Plywood
Mid-Century Modern Armchair ‘Cantilever’ by George van Rijck for Beaufort
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Armchair ‘Cantilever’ by George van Rijck for Beaufort - Belgium 1960s
Wood
$23,000 / set
Set of Four Captain Chairs by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful set of four American black Walnut 'Captain" chairs handcrafted by George Nakashima in his New Hope Studio in 1976. These chairs were designed with creative exposed joints...
Walnut
Original Early George Nelson for Herman Miller Pretzel Chair
By George Nelson
Located in Sarasota, FL
George Nelson for Herman Miller pretzel chair. Rare and beautiful chair with very low production. Production being this one either 1957 or 1958. Believed to be under 100 of these ...
Bentwood
Pair of Jungle Armchairs by George Coslins for Gervasoni, 1950s
By George Coslin
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Pair Jungle armchairs by George Coslins for Gervasoni, Made in Italy, 1950s. Fantastica Coppia di Poltrone in vimini e bambù con seduta e schienale avvolgenti. Bellissime da usare si...
Bamboo, Wicker
"Palace" Chair by George Sowden, Memphis Design, Painted Wood, 1983
By George Sowden
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Designed for the 3rd Memphis exhibition by George Sowden (UK), it is a melding of his memories of British Arts & Guilds (Macintosh, etc.) and a rectilinear homage to Gerrit Rietv...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, 1950s
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Antwerp, BE
Introducing the Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, an iconic piece of modern design that combines comfort, elegance, and innovation. Originally designed in 1955, the Coconut C...
Chrome
Classic Danish Modern Oak and Curved Teak Armchairs by H. Brockmann-Petersen
By Sibast, H. Brockmann-Petersen, George Tanier
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Danish modern oak and curved teak armchairs, George Tanier selection for Sibast Mobler, designed by H.
Fabric, Oak, Teak
Pair of Modernist "Jetson's" Plywood and Chrome Armchairs
By George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair of Modernist "Jetson's" plywood and chrome armchairs, Classic Mid-Century design. Plywood seats and backs, retain original plaid wool seats. Excellent original condition.
Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 4663 Chairs
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A matched pair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Model 4663 chairs sit firmly in the midcentury era, with clean lines, balanced proportions, and a focus on comfort. Solid ...
Upholstery, Wood
$6,080Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair of 'Mrs' Lounge Chair by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in London, GB
A pair of American walnut plywood lounge chairs from the 1960's by American designer George Mulhauser. This larger version is seen with the more rarely wooden legs. The smaller famou...
Silk, Plywood
Set of Two Leather Original George Nelson Coconut Chairs, Vitra
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Praha, CZ
Coconut lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured by Vitra. Black leather, white shell and chrome legs, good original condition. - Marked by original lab...
Chrome
$16,500 / set
Art Deco Cubist Armchairs, France 1940's
By Georges Djo-Bourgeois
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Walnut cubist armchairs in the manner of Djo Bourgeois, classic art deco lines, also reminiscent of the work of Mallet Stevens 31x27x33 Seat 17, Arm 24
Upholstery, Walnut
G. TIGIEN Convertible Armchair in Lacquered Wood, Edition La Maison Europeenne
By Georges Tigien
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
G. TIGIEN convertible armchair in lacquered wood, edition La Maison Europeenne, 1964. Metal cord with white plastic. 3 positions : armchair, fireside chair, daybed daybed : 10,24"x7...
Plastic, Beech
Cream Faux Shearling and Bronze George Ramos Armchairs, France 1950's
By Castallena, Charles Ramos
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs by George Ramos for Castalanetta, a very well designed and comfortable chair resting on elegant bronze legs, another pair available for COM as well as 2 and 3 sea...
Bronze
George Sowden follow artist Palace chair Memphis United Kingdom / Italy, 1983
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Skokie, IL
George Sowden follow artist Palace chair Memphis United Kingdom / Italy, 1983 Dimensions: 34 1/2” h × 19 1/4” w × 19 1/2” d Materials: lacquered wood Condition: Very good vintage ...
Wood
Set of 6 Black Pretzel Chairs, by George Nelson for ICF
By George Nelson, ICF De Padova
Located in Berlin, DE
A rare set of six ''Pretzel'' armchairs with leather cushions, made from laminated wood by ICF De Padova in Italy between 1984 and 1986. Originally designed for Herman Miller, George...
Leather, Wood
Palace Chair by George Sowden for Memphis, Milano, Blue, Green, Yellow, Black
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Sowden for Memphis "Palace Chair", 1983. Multicolor form with arms. Completely original with very few signs of use.
Wood
Circa 1750, English Georgian ii Period Mahogany Armchair with Modern Fabric
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1750 English Georgian II period mahogany armchair. The George II period was most noted for its intricate chairs.
Mahogany
Classic Pair of Modernist Armchairs by Robert John Stainless Steel
By Robert John, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual pair of Modernist armchair’s by Robert John. Stainless steel channel with black lacquered wood detailing, Solid walnut armrests, original pale yellow Naugahyde upholstery. Sl...
Stainless Steel
2x DAF Swag Leg Arm Stuhl Charles Eames George Nelson Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten insgesamt zwei wunderschöne und äußerst seltene DAF Swag Leg Arm Stühle von Herman Miller Collection zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von George Nelson bzw. Charles Eame...
Metal
John Stuart Mid Century Danish Modern Plaid Pattern Upholstery Teak Lounge Chair
By George Tanier, John Stuart Inc.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
John Stuart mid century danish modern plaid pattern upholstery teak lounge chair.
Upholstery, Teak
George Mulhauser Designed Plycraft Walnut Black Leather Lounge Chair Ottoman
By Plycraft
Located in Essex, MA
George Mulhauser designed Plycraft walnut and Italian leather lounge chairs and ottomans, bent stacked laminated plywood swivel tilting walnut lounge chairs, and ottomans in the styl...
Leather, Wood
Shield Back Wheatsheaf Design Dining Arm Chairs in style of Hepplewhite
By George Hepplewhite
Located in Antwerp, BE
This nice set of 2 solid walnut single arm chairs in Hepplewhite style shield backs with central carved wheatsheaf designs. They have upholstered padded seats and stand on spade fron...
Upholstery, Walnut
Very Rare Suite of 35 Brassaï Paris de Nuit Printer’s Proof Heliogravures
By Brassaï, George Brassaï
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Suite of 35 Brassaï Paris de Nuit Printer’s Proof Heliogravures — Unbound, Numbered & Rare (c. 1933) Step into Brassaï’s nocturnal Paris with an unrepeatable portfolio of thirty-fiv...
Paper
George Nakashima 'New' Armchair in Walnut and Hickory
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, ‘New’ armchair, walnut, hickory, United States, 1976 With its sturdy form, thoughtful material choices, and refined joinery, this custo...
Hickory, Walnut
Set of 4 Mustard Yellow George Mulhauser for Plycraft “Sultana” Armchairs
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare set of George Mulhauser for Plycraft Sultana chairs in original condition. The vinyl cushions are in original Vinyl condition and the paint is a great mustard color. They even...
Plywood
Pair of 2007 Restored George Smith Tom Dixon Wing Back Armchairs
By George Smith, Tom Dixon
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of fully restored original edition 2007 Tom Dixon George Smith wingback armchairs RRP £16,000 Inspired by the traditional 17t...
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
Set of Four George Nelson ''Pretzel'' Armchair Made by ICF, Italy, 1984-1986
By George Nelson, ICF De Padova
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Literature: George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher, von Vegesack and Eisenbrand, pg. 248 George Nelson: The Design of Modern Design, Abercrombie, pg. 203.
Fabric, Ash
Organic three-seat Sofa with Two Armchairs, Japan 1965
By George Nakashima
Located in Den Haag, NL
Japanese organic sofa with two armchairs. Purchased by the previous owners in Japan in 1965. Very well crafted wood and spectacular in design. Measures: Sofa: 171cm width, 82cm hei...
Upholstery, Wood
Brian Paquette x Lawson-Fenning, George Lounge Chair, Oak & Velvet Armchair
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The George Chair is part of the collaborative collection with interior designer Brian Paquette for Lawson-Fenning. The George Chair is a low profile, but wide-scale lounge chair that...
Velvet, Oak
Pr. Mid Century High Back Lounge Office Armchairs by Dellwood Furniture c 1970s
By Knoll, George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stylish Mid Century high back office, or lounge ,chairs - made in the USA by the Dellwood Furniture United Chair Division, circa 1970's. The chairs feature squared bright...
Chrome
Unavailable|$1,100
George Mulhauser for Plycraft Green Swivel Armchair
By George Mulhauser
Located in Jupiter, FL
I style of George Mulhauser for Plycraft Green Sultana Swivel Armchair , Mid- Century culture.
Metal
Unavailable|$6,000 / set
George Nelson Rosewood and Mirrored Chrome Armchairs
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare pair of George Nelson Armchairs for Herman Miller with thin mirrored chrome frame and solid Rosewood arms. Each chair is very heavy and solid, Absolutely stunning in p...
George Nakashima Mid Century Modern Design Hi-Back Lounge Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in Coral Gables, FL
George Nakashima (1905 -1990) designed this iconic mid century modern hi-back lounge chair ca 1955 for his ORIGINS line, produced by the Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, ...
Walnut
Unavailable|$5,289
Pretzel Chair with Armrests by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rare and original Pretzel chair designed by George Nelson in 1952. This particular copy is part of the limited batch production by Plycraft for Herman Miller.Striking feature of this...
Unavailable|$1,495 / item
PALACE Chair by George Sowden for Memphis Milano
By George Sowden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed for the 3rd Memphis exhibition by George Sowden (UK), it is a melding of his memories of British Arts & Guilds (Macintosh, etc.) and a rectilinear homage to Gerrit Rietveld ...
Lacquer
Unavailable|$2,900 / set
Set of Four Black Painted Chairs Designed by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful set of black painted armchairs upholstered in vintage fabric by George Nelson.
Fabric, Wood
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Armchairs have run the gamut from prestige to ease and everything in between, and everyone has an antique or vintage armchair that they love.
Long before industrial mass production democratized seating, armchairs conveyed status and power.
In ancient Egypt, the commoners took stools, while in early Greece, ceremonial chairs of carved marble were designated for nobility. But the high-backed early thrones of yore, elevated and ornate, were merely grandiose iterations of today’s armchairs.
Modern-day armchairs, built with functionality and comfort in mind, are now central to tasks throughout your home. Formal dining armchairs support your guests at a table for a cheery feast, a good drafting chair with a deep seat is parked in front of an easel where you create art and, elsewhere, an ergonomic wonder of sorts positions you at the desk for your 9 to 5.
When placed under just the right lamp where you can lounge comfortably, both elbows resting on the padded supports on each side of you, an upholstered armchair — or a rattan armchair for your light-suffused sunroom — can be the sanctuary where you’ll read for hours.
If you’re in the mood for company, your velvet chesterfield armchair is a place to relax and be part of the conversation that swirls around you. Maybe the dialogue is about the beloved Papa Bear chair, a mid-century modern masterpiece from Danish carpenter and furniture maker Hans Wegner, and the wingback’s strong association with the concept of cozying up by the fireplace, which we can trace back to its origins in 1600s-era England, when the seat’s distinctive arm protrusions protected the sitter from the heat of the period’s large fireplaces.
If the fireside armchair chat involves spirited comparisons, your companions will likely probe the merits of antique and vintage armchairs such as Queen Anne armchairs, Victorian armchairs or even Louis XVI armchairs, as well as the pros and cons of restoration versus conservation.
Everyone seems to have a favorite armchair and most people will be all too willing to talk about their beloved design. Whether that’s the unique Favela chair by Brazilian sibling furniture designers Fernando and Humberto Campana, who repurposed everyday objects to provocative effect; or Marcel Breuer’s futuristic tubular metal Wassily lounge chair; the functionality-first LC series from Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret; or the Eames lounge chair of the mid-1950s created by Charles and Ray Eames, there is an iconic armchair for everyone and every purpose. Find yours on 1stDibs right now.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.
The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the rooms our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.