Though much of Arthur Umanoff's furniture is marked by a no-frills simplicity common in American mid-century modern design, his work is anything but one-note. Over the course of a prolific career, Umanoff designed everything from case pieces to candleholders to magazine racks to dining chairs in iron, leather, walnut, wicker and more. With furnishings for a broad range of manufacturers throughout the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, Umanoff continued a thread of sculptural elegance and textural sensitivity through his designs.
After graduating from Pratt Institute in the early 1950s, Umanoff experimented mostly with wood furniture before landing a job at Post Modern Ltd, a New York manufacturer of wrought-iron furniture. There he produced furnishings that married wrought iron with wood and plastic, creating functional pieces free of utilitarian bulkiness.
Umanoff continued his experimentation with mixed materials through a partnership with Shaver Howard, for whom he designed wine racks in combinations of iron, leather and wicker.
When Shaver Howard bought Boyeur Scott, Umanoff conceived several furniture designs for the brand, including the 1964 Granada collection, whose curlicue iron bases, visible through glass tops, stand out as some of his most ornate and decorative work. Indeed, much of Umanoff’s oeuvre is far more simplistic, like iron-and-pine armchairs for The Elton Co. or low-backed, slatted-seat barstools with slender iron legs for Raymor.
Umanoff was fluent, too, in the more sumptuous modernism of the era: In the mid-1960s, he designed the 2405 and 4449 armchairs for Madison Furniture Industries. Popular in offices, the walnut-framed, leather-upholstered seats, which could have been mistaken for the seductive Scandinavian modern seating of the era, were reportedly the jumping-off point for Captain Kirk’s iconic seat on Star Trek.
Even as he is among the mid-century modern designers you may not know, with work across such a range of styles and manufacturers (most no longer in business), Umanoff, who died in 1985, leaves a legacy that is fascinatingly diverse and at times enticingly elusive, making his work intriguing objects for collectors.
Find vintage Arthur Umanoff bar stools, tables, benches and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
$1,900Sale Price|45% Off
Rare Mid-Century Design Icon an Arthur Umanoff Iron and Cane Log Holder Rack
By George Nelson, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Simple, sculptural design. Presented in As-Found condition.
Wrought Iron
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.5 in W 17.5 in D 14 in
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Magazine Rack in the Style of Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century solid walnut magazine rack in the style of Arthur Umanoff for American Woodcraft, circa 1950s. This sturdy foldable magazine rack is finely crafted piece is in very good ...
Walnut
Selection of Magazine Racks or Log Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of magazine racks or log holders, circa 19th century to 1950s. They are: 1) Italian gilt metal faux bamboo magazine rack, circa 1950s, seen at the top left. It measures: 1...
Copper, Metal
Mid-Century Solid Walnut Spindled Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
This mid-century solid walnut magazine rack by Arthur Umanoff, circa 1960s offers both style and functionality. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures approximately...
Walnut
American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Solid Walnut Magazine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid walnut magazine rack, designed by Arthur Umanoff circa 1960s California design, nice condition. Freshly refinished.
Walnut
Chrome Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff Postmodern
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Stylish and practical, this Chrome Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff is a perfect example of postmodern design. The sleek, open framework showcases Umanoff's knack for blending form an...
Chrome
$235
H 21.86 in W 15.95 in D 7.88 in
60's 70's Newspaper Holder Newspaper Rack Metal Teak Mid Century Design
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60's 70's Newspaper Holder Newspaper Rack Metal Teak Mid Century Design Object: newspaper stand Manufacturer: Condition: good Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions: Width = 40.5cm D...
Metal
Brass Log Holder / Magazine Rack with Claw Feet
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching footed brass fireplace log holder / basket with paw feet and handle. France, 1930s. This Regency style basket has hand-hammere...
Brass, Bronze
$895
H 14.75 in W 31 in D 9 in
Larger Walnut Oval Magazine Rack Attribute to Arthur Umanoff for Washington Wood
By Washington Woodcraft, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome walnut oval magazine rack in the larger size attributed to Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft. It is in fabulous original condition which we have just given a good cleaning and oiling. Please see photos, circa 1960s. If you need a beautiful Mid-Century Modern container for magazines, books, maybe dog toys or knitting supplies, look no further! This gorgeous magazine rack attributed to Arthur Umanoff and produced by Washington Woodcraft is just the thing. Comprised of a solid walnut oval bottom and a slightly larger ring of solid walnut for the top with the two being connected by simple solid walnut spindles. The difference in size of the top and bottom result in the slight angle of its sides. Simple and stunning. Arthur Umanoff (1923-1985), a Pratt and American School of Design graduate, was a fabulous and prolific Mid-Century Modern and modern designer during the mid-late 20th century. He began his career in 1952 at The Elton Company. His designs include a wide range of décor items as well as furniture which focused for a time on fun bars and barstools...
Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Walnut Magazine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Beautifully crafted Mid-Century Modern magazine or book rack designed by the prolific designer Arthur Umanoff in the 1950s. Featuring distinctive staves and practical handles on eith...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Magazine Stand, Iron & Brass, 1960s, Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff, Tony Paul
Located in Round Top, TX
A striking mid-century iron and brass magazine stand, designed in the distinctive style of Tony Paul and Arthur Umanoff. This piece boasts a sculptural, open framework composed of sl...
Brass, Iron
Giant Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff in Walnut
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A striking example of Arthur Umanoff’s mid-century modern craftsmanship, this handsome “Big Boy” magazine rack stands just under 31” and features the designer’s signature architectur...
Walnut
American Mission Style Wrought Iron Log Holder
Located in Queens, NY
American Mission-style (19/20th Century) wrought iron log holder magazine rack with a scroll design sides.
Wrought Iron