Arthur Umanoff Seating
American, 1923-1985
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 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 furniture today on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Arthur Umanoff
Rush Bar Stools by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage bar stools by Arthur Umanoff. Wood slat seat and rush backrest over a solid steel rod frame. 28.5" seat height.
Sold as a pair.
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Walnut Spindle Stools, USA 1960's
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
A set of spindle stools by Arthur Umanoff in walnut, upholstered in wool. Priced by the pair. Two pairs available.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Rattan Wicker Wrought Iron Mid-Century Modern Chairs, Set of 4
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Arthur Umanoff Rattan Wicker Wrought Iron Mid-Century Modern chairs - Set of 4. Item features woven rattan backs, wooden slat seats, black painte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Mid Century 3 Seat Sofa
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Countryside, IL
Arthur Umanoff mid century 3 seat sofa
This sofa measures: 91 wide x 29 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Mid Century Arthur Umanoff Mayan Sun Bar Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Stamford, CT
A set of four mid-century Mayan sun face back iron bar stools by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard. Two seats are red and white vinyl. Two seats are yellow an...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Matching Sculptural Desk and Chair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arthur Umanoff desk and chair. Extremely elegant and timeless design made with an iron frame, walnut slats and rush accents giving it it's classic Umanoff look. One middle drawer, a ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard Mid Century High Back Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Countryside, IL
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard mid century high back dining chairs - Set of 6
Each chair measures: 16.25 wide x 19 deep x 40.25 high, wit...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff for Madison Furniture Mid Century Modular Seated Bench
By Madison Furniture, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Countryside, IL
Arthur Umanoff for Madison Furniture mid century modular seated bench
Bench measures: 87.5 wide x 25 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 20 inch...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Chrome
Arthur Umanoff for Madison Furniture Mid Century Modular 2 Seater Bench
By Madison Furniture, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Countryside, IL
Arthur Umanoff for Madison Furniture mid century modular 2 seater bench
Bench measures: 65 wide x 23 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 19 inch...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Chrome
Arthur Umanoff Set of 4 Rattan Wrought Iron Bar Stools with Matching Bar
By Arthur Umanoff, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff wrought iron and rattan bar and bar stools.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Rattan
Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Wicker & Wood Slat Bar Stools for Raymor - Restored
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in St. Louis, MO
Arthur Umanoff midcentury bar stools, for Raymor priced per stool, total of 6 available, wood slat seats, iron frames with wicker ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Pair of Rare Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard Iron Swivle Bar Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard wrought iron, rope and birch seat bar stools.
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Midcentury Chrome and Smoked Bronze Gauffraged Velvet Stool by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of stool was realized by the esteemed American designer Arthur Umanoff in the United States, circa 1960. It features circular polished chrome frames with six verti...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Arthur Umanoff Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern slat stools with rush backs.
(Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Umanoff Stool
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Rare cow horn back, swivel stool, on wrought iron base, designed by Arthur Umanoff. This is a hard to find form, with the sculpted wood backrest, cord seat, a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Seating
Whimsical Pair Arthur Umanoff Scrolled Wrought Iron Stool Mongolian Lamb
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Whimsical pair of Arthur Umanoff scrolled wrought iron stools upholstered in Mongolian lamb. We love the creamy white Mongolian lamb upholstery against the black fancy wrought iron b...
Category
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Hoop Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Refinished pair of Mid-Century Modern stools by Arthur Umanoff. Features hoop back with rattan, metal frame has been given a bare metal look.
(Please co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Metal
Midcentury Danish Modern Arthur Umanoff Three-Piece Bar and Pair of Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a 3-piece slat wood dry bar set designed by Arthur Umanoff. Includes two slat stools and a dry bar. The bar has a Formica top with rear shelving and wrought iron legs and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful pair of Arthur Umanoff stacking stools from the 1964 Grenada Collection for Boyuer Scott, Shaver Howard collections. This pair is in wonderful vintage condition with a love...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Three Stools by Arthur Umanoff, Walnut Spindle Base, Leather Seats, Excellent
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of 3 stools designed by Arthur Umanoff, 1950s. Expertly refinished and reupholstered with new off white / ivory leather tops. Together they also make a nice substitute for a benc...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Arthur Umanoff Slat Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two vintage-modern stools featuring iron bases and slat wood seat and back, designed by Arthur Umanoff.
Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Umanoff Slatted Wood and Iron Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stools designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor, in good original condition. Both show some cosmetic wear to finish, normal and consistent with age, measures seat H 28 inches.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Dining Chairs - A Pair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Countryside, IL
Arthur Umanoff Chairs - A Pair
Each chair measures: 18 wide x 16 deep x 34 high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 18.5 inches
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we cal...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Metal
Arthur Umanoff, Swinging Chair, Iron, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in High Point, NC
A swinging black-painted iron and walnut side chair designed by Arthur Umanoff in 1953 and produced by The Elton Company, USA, 1950s.
Seat height: 15.75"
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Elm and Wrought Iron Slat Bench, 1950's
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American mid-century Arthur Umanoff iron and elm slat bench, cocktail table, bed end bench. Featuring a sturdy rectangular framework in Black enameled Wr...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Arthur Umanoff seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arthur Umanoff seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Arthur Umanoff were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Steelcase, Drexel, and Charles Pollock. Prices for Arthur Umanoff seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $450 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,995.
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