Russel Wright "Oceana" Serving Bowl
By Klise Manufacturing Company, Russel Wright
Located in Hanover, MA
Russel Wright "Oceana" sculptural serving bowl circa 1938 produced by Klise Woodworking Company, Grand Rapids, MI. Hazelwood in the form of deep-sea fauna. This particular one had a...
Maple
$156Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in W 8.5 in D 12 in
American Modern Ceramic Handled Casserole Chartreuse Russel Wright Stubenville
By Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern in chartreuse color handled casserole by Russel Wright for Steubenville pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes sof...
Ceramic
$3,300Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 54.5 in W 48 in D 18.5 in
MCM Blond Maple Vanity/ Dressing Table w/ Bench by Russel Wright for Con
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century blonde maple vanity with matching stool designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball part of the "American Modernist " Furniture line. Often sold in Macy’s Department Store...
Maple
$510Sale Price / set|84% Off
H 25 in W 14.25 in D 19 in
Pair of Nightstands by Russel Wright for Conant Ball
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic pair of early 20th century American modernist nightstands featuring drawers with wooden pulls and dovetail joints, designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940. Begin...
Wood
$1,920Sale Price|60% Off
H 47 in W 34 in D 19 in
Tall Chest of Drawers/Dresser by Russel Wright for Conant Ball
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic early 20th century American modernist chest of drawers/dresser featuring drawers with wooden pulls and dovetail joints, designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940. ...
Wood
$260Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in W 8.5 in D 12 in
American Modern Ceramic Handled Casserole White by Russel Wright Stubenville
By Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern White handled casserole by Russel Wright for Steubenville pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes soft cures and si...
Ceramic
$220Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.25 in W 13.5 in D 3.75 in
American Modern Ceramic Celery Tray by Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery
By Steubenville, Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern celery tray by Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery of Ohio, circa 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes soft cures and simple glazing. Th...
Earthenware
Russel Wright Grey 'Nude' Form Ceramic Lamp, 1940s
By Russel Wright
Located in San Francisco, CA
This vintage midcentury ceramic table lamp was designed by Russel Wright in the 1940s. The ceramic body of the lamp is in the form of a nude twisting to one side with a grey glazed f...
Metal
Russel Wright Mid-Century Desk Set, 20th Century
By Russel Wright
Located in Bronx, NY
Exceptional, unique and rare Mid-Century Modern partners desk caddy, great as a miniature commode for office, storage, children room, jewelry etc. Also available with single drawer, ...
Walnut, Wood
Sold
H 1.25 in W 13.5 in D 3.75 in
American Modern Ceramic Celery Tray by Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery
By Steubenville, Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional American modern celery tray by Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery of Ohio, circa the 1940s. The ultramodern design emphasizes soft cures and simple glazing...
Earthenware
3 Drawer Dresser by Russel Wright for Conant Ball
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic early 20th century American modernist blonde maple dresser featuring drawers with wooden pulls and dovetail joints, designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940. Begi...
Wood, Maple
Sold
H 28 in W 26 in D 32 in
Mid-Century American Russel Wright Maple Brown Leather Lounge Chair Conant Ball
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare original mid-century Russel Wright for Conant Ball. All maple low lounge chair. Arms have unique downward curve - great Design. Solid Maple frames with curved back legs and all ...
Maple, Leather
Art Deco Hardrock Maple & Spun Aluminum Torchère Floor Lamp by Russel Wright
By Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare Art Deco hardrock maple and spun aluminum torchère floor lamp by Russel Wright, circa 1940s. Overall, the lamp is in good vintage condition with some wear to the finish o...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Corner Table by Russel Wright for Conant Ball
By Conant Ball, Heywood-Wakefield Co., Russel Wright, Jean Prouvé
Located in Framingham, MA
Hard-to-find corner/lamp table by Russel Wright for Conant Ball. Excellent use of form and solid maple. Some wear throughout but still displays wonderfully - please see pics. *Pleas...
Maple
Mid-Century Tall Chest of Drawers
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary mid-century modern high dresser crafted out of solid wood in great condition and professionally restored by our craftsmen team. This vintage chest of drawers feature...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint, Maple
Sold
H 2 in W 14 in D 9 in
1930s Russel Wright Organic Freeform Hors d'oeuvre Centerpiece Relish Dish Klise
By Russel Wright
Located in Hyattsville, MD
An uncommon Russel Wright design executed by Klise Woodworking, circa 1935 from carved maple.
Maple
Modernist Chrome Toothpick Holder by Russel Wright for Chase Co.
By Chase and Co., Russel Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice modernist toothpick holder by Russel Wright for Chase & Co., circa 1940s. The stainless steel design features a very sleek rounded handle and would be great for syrup, cr...
Chrome
Spindle Back Rocking Chair by Russel Wright for Conant Ball
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Littleton, CO
Russel Wright's Classic spindle back rocking chair for Conant Ball.
Maple
Sold
H 23.25 in W 19 in D 29 in
Russel Wright Blonde Stepped Plant Stand Table Midcentury Geometric Nightstand
By Russel Wright
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful understated retro-modern triple tiered side table or pedestal. Measures: Tier heights are 11, 17 and 23 inches.
Maple
Sold
H 1.5 in W 6 in D 5 in
Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery American Modern 28-Piece Dinnerware Set
By Russel Wright
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare set of 1940s American modern dinnerware designed by Russel Wright for Steubenville Pottery. This set is in the classic glazed brown color. Included is the following: (1) 13.5"...
Pottery
Sold
H 22.38 in W 18 in D 16.5 in
Russel Wright for Conant Ball American Modern Nightstand, Newly Refinished
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern ebonized nightstand or end table designed by Russel Wright for his American Modern line for Conant Ball. The nightstand features solid birch wood co...
Birch
Sold
H 30.25 in W 42 in D 18.25 in
Russel Wright for Conant Ball American Modern Bachelor Chests or Nightstands
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of ebonized three-drawer dressers or bedside chests designed by Russel Wright for his American Modern line for Conant Ball. The chests features solid birch wood c...
Birch
Russel Wright Floor Lamp
By Russel Wright
Located in Pasadena, CA
Floor lamp by mid-century designer Russel Wright. The brass stand is wrapped in an oak sculpture in the shape of waves. The base is also oak. The silk shade is a rich brown, almost c...
Brass
Sold
H 22 in W 49.75 in D 16.5 in
Midcentury Russel Wright for Conant Ball Wood Surfboard Coffee Table, 1950s
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage Mid-Century Modern Russel Wright for Conant Ball coffee table circa 1950 is well constructed from solid birch. It features an elliptical surfboard tabletop with a curved...
Birch
1940s Russell Wright Spun Aluminum and Black Wood Table Lamp
By Russel Wright
Located in Miami, FL
Wonderful late 1940s table lamp by Russel Wright. The socle base of sloped spun aluminum topped by an ebonized carved twist of oak to a small neck and socket. Rewired and with new ch...
Aluminum
Sold
H 23 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of Mid-century ModernRussel Wright for Conant Ball Nightstands, circa 1950s
By Russel Wright, Conant Ball
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Russel Wright for Conant Ball nightstands in solid maple. Beautiful detailing on the drawers.
Maple
Pair of Russel Wright American Modern Aluminium and Brass Torchieres
By Russel Wright
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of American Modern spun aluminium torchiere floor lamps with brass details by Russel Wright. An unpretentious example of Wright’s singular ability to streamline and democra...
Aluminum, Brass
Midcentury Modern Glasses by Designer Russel Wright, ca. 1960s
By Russel Wright
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of six (6) designer hand-blown Mid-Century Modern blue-green or seafoam green glasses for Champagne or cocktails, etc. These coupe or goblets, measuring 4.13" high, a...
Crystal
Pair of Spun Aluminum and Maple Table Lamps by Russel Wright
By Russel Wright
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of machine age table lamps in maple alternating with spun aluminum spacers by Russel Wright, circa 1950s. Shades are not included, shown for scale only. Bases are 5" in diamete...
Aluminum
Pair of Russel Wright for Raymor Spun Aluminum Lamps
By Raymor, Russel Wright
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very nice looking pair Russel Wright for Raymor spun aluminum lamps, circa 1950s. Newly rewired, new sockets, cord and plug. (Shades are not included)
Aluminum
Pair of End Tables or Nightstands by Russel Wright for Conant Ball
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of modern mates end or side tables or nightstands by Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1950s. All solid maple construction with single drawer.
Maple
Russel Wright for Conant-Ball American Modern Desk, Midcentury
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Raleigh, NC
Russel Wright was an American Industrial Designer during the 20th century and he helped bring modern design to the country from the late 20's to the 1960's. His furniture was produce...
Maple
Russel Wright Chest of Drawers "Saturday Sale"
By Russel Wright
Located in Hudson, NY
A Russel Wright chest for American modern.
Maple
Pair of Streamlined Lounge Chairs by Russel Wright
By Russel Wright
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Streamlined Lounge Chairs, designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940s. They have been refinished in an ultra-deep brown lacquer and reupholstered in an ivory colo...
Upholstery, Maple
Russel Wright Lamp
By Russel Wright
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Russel Wright table lamp. These came in terra cotta and wood. There's one pictured in Ann Kerr's book, Collector's Encyclopedia of Russel Wright, Third Edition, page 114. Part of a w...
Aluminum
1960s Stunning Ice Bucket by Aldo Tura for Macabo. Made in Italy.
By Aldo Tura
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Ice Bucket by Aldo Tura for Macabo. Made in Italy. The item is in excellent condition. Dimension: diameter 5,51 x 7,08 H inches diameter 14 cm x cm 18 H
Metal
$7,800 / set
H 33 in W 18 in D 20.5 in
Pair of Chic 'Arcade' Wrought Iron and Shearling Chairs by Design Frères
By Gilbert Poillerat, Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic 'Arcade' wrought iron and shearling chairs by Design Frères. Extraordinary pair of side chairs with white shearling upholstery. This unique upholstery treatment gives...
Wrought Iron
Mogens Koch Four Bookcases for Rud Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch four bookcases in pine. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.
Pine
$482Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.96 in W 13.98 in D 7.49 in
1960s Art Deco Tortoise Lucite Trinket Box - Italian Design
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Here is a jewelry/trinket box in Art Deco style produced during the late 1960's. The material is lucite/plexiglass with black and brown tortise decor and a white inside. The box is i...
Lucite, Plexiglass
Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
A Classic postmodern Memphis era design teapot designed by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s, a rare design not many were produced it's in good condition. A cool whistle that works whe...
Stainless Steel
Arne Jacobsen AJ Flatware Set for 8
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Full Service for eight consisting of 8/ 8 piece place settings and 13 additional serving pieces. Original fitted Mahogany Box Original invoice and advertisement included.
Stainless Steel
$7,113 / item
H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Pair Various Positions Nightstand in Walnut and Oak by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by his fascination with the aesthetic allure of interiors depicted in films and literature, Yaniv Chen endeavors to capture the essence of captivating spaces. Reflecting upo...
Oak, Walnut
Serge Castella Chandelier, circa 2000, France
By Serge Castella Interiors
Located in Girona, Spain
Large "Spring" chandelier by Serge Castella Custom-made Signed and numbered Metal and plaster France, circa 2000 Excellent condition. Serge Castella Interiors focuses on Antiques, ...
Metal
$2,500
H 14.5 in Dm 14.5 in
Exquisite Art Glass Bird Bath on Slate Base by Walter Furlan for Murano Glass
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite art glass bird bath on slate base with six removable art glass birds by Walter Furlan for Murano Glass, circa 1960s. This large piece is very difficult to find with six bi...
Slate
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 14.18 in D 14.97 in
Pierre Chapo S28 chair in elm wood France 1972
By Pierre Chapo
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Pierre Chapo S28 chairs pair in elm wood France 1972
Elm
Chrome Spiral Coil Table by Pace
By Pace Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Classic coil base side, or end table by Pace, circa 1970's. The bright chrome base supports the original plate glass inter top, this example is in very good, original, clean and read...
Chrome
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.5 in W 82.5 in D 15 in
Danish Modern Peter J. Lassen Montana Modular Suspension Unit Mid-Century Modern
By Montana
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Danish modern 3 piece modular suspension credenza unit by Peter J. Lassen for Montana Mobler. This piece can by hung on the wall or stacked or placed on the floor. Set includes 2 opp...
Wood
$453Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 20.08 in D 12.6 in
Pair of Original 1960s Italian Nightstands with Salmon-Colored Glass Top Walnut
Located in Buggiano, IT
Pair of original 1960s Italian nightstands with salmon-colored glass top. Walnut wood. One is Right and one is left. They will be delivered in a specific wooden case for export, pa...
Glass, Walnut
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....
Linen
$2,250 / set
H 25.25 in W 22.5 in D 16.25 in
American Classic Wood Brass Night Stand Bedside Tables Mid-Century Modern - Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of classical American Mid-Century Modern wooden nightstands, bedside tables with three drawer and Brass handle. F-645-335
Brass
$4,219
H 29.14 in W 24.81 in D 29.14 in
1970s Space Age Steel and Glass Bar Cart by Claudio Salocchi for Luigi Sormani
By Claudio Salocchi, Luigi Sormani
Located in Aci Castello, IT
1970s Claudio Salocchi for Luigi Sormani Space Age Bar Cart in Brushed Steel and Smoked Glass. A stunning embodiment of Italian Space Age design, this rare bar cart by Claudio Salocc...
Stainless Steel
While industrial designer Russell Wright may be known to modern furniture enthusiasts for his streamlined end tables, dining chairs and other pieces, he is universally revered for a line of tableware he created called American Modern. Efficient, practical, and striking in their elegant forms and warm colors, the American Modern ceramic pieces, which included bowls, pitchers, dishes, and other items, became the best-selling dinnerware of all time. Today, vintage Russell Wright American Modern tableware is an evergreen favorite of art collectors and interior designers alike.
Born in 1904 in Ohio, Wright was surrounded by inspiration for the furniture he would one day design. He was raised in a Quaker household and grew up with the spare, meticulously handcrafted furniture for which the Quakers are known. As a young man, he studied art and sculpture at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the Art Students League of New York, going on to study law at Princeton University in New Jersey. But Wright loved the arts and abandoned his pursuit of a law degree to create stage sets in Princeton and Paris alongside fellow noted designer Norman Bel Geddes.
In 1927, Wright married artist and sculptor Mary Einstein. Together, they moved to New York City, where Wright began to create sculptures. Mary convinced him to create metal bookends from his sculptures, and later, when he began to craft bar accessories from chrome, he turned to aluminum, a much cheaper material for the purposes of mass production (his barware was eventually included in the "Machine Art" show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1934, which was curated by Philip Johnson).
Mary worked on marketing Russell's products, successfully proposing everyday uses for Wright's beautifully designed housewares. She is said to have been a pioneer in the world of lifestyle marketing, coining the terms "American Modern" and "blonde" to describe the charming, light-colored maple furniture he created for Conant Ball, which was known at the time for its reproductions of American Colonial furniture.
While Wright had created some Art Deco furnishings for Heywood-Wakefield, it was this group of bedroom furniture for Conant Ball that got its name, American Modern, from Mary. Under her guidance, Wright's attractive, functional designs for the home gained renown, leading to commissions by prestigious companies like the Steubenville Pottery Company.
In 1935, Wright formed Russell Wright Associates with Irving Richards, an entrepreneur who had worked with Lightolier and would later establish Raymor. In collaboration with Richards, Wright debuted the first line of American Modern dinnerware in 1939, which was initially produced by Russell Wright Associates and then manufactured by Steubenville for two decades. The line sold over 200 million pieces during its 20 years of production. In 1955, Wright was selected by the U.S. State Department to research handicraft industries in Southeast Asia, a trip that influenced his later designs.
Throughout his life, Wright continued to design furniture and housewares, with the works' signature earth tones, curved forms, and clean silhouettes of his floor lamps, lounge chairs, and serveware remaining popular staples in American households. In his later years, he focused on designing and building his home, Manitoga, and working with the National Parks Service to develop the "Summer in the Parks" program.
Upon Wright's death in 1974, Manitoga was given to the Nature Conservancy. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006 and today houses the Russell & Mary Wright Design Gallery, where many of Wright's works stand on permanent display. In 2011, stamps from the U.S. Postal Service featured Wright's image as one of the United States' twelve most influential industrial designers.
Find vintage Russel Wright lighting, seating, tables, serveware, ceramics and glass on 1stDibs.
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.