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.
Set of Six Stainless Postmodern Dining Chairs by Arthur Umanoff in Art Deco Form
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A matching set of six armchair dining chairs made by Arthur Umanoff. They feature stainless & aluminum construction with naugahyde covered padded seat cushions. Clean & ready to use ...
Stainless Steel
Set of 4 Arthur Umanoff Grenada Collection Wrought Iron Dining Chairs, c. 1960's
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Deland, FL
Stylish and iconic the Grenada collection, from circa 1964, is a favorite design of collectors by Arthur Umanoff. Constructed from wrought iron with Spanish influences in proportions and shapes these chairs are architecturally fascinating. The seats have new burnt orange crushed velvet...
Iron
Thick Steel Chair Pierced Sun Sunburst Design Back Mid-Century Modern MINT!
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice heavy gauge steel vintage sunburst back chair, from the Mayan collection designed by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard.
Steel
Vintage Boho Arthur Umanoff “Sunburst” Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This iconic set of six dining chairs, attributed to the celebrated mid-century designer Arthur Umanoff, is a masterful expression of 1950s and 60s bohemian modernism. The "Sunburst" ...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Modern Rattan Wrought Iron Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Modern Rattan Wrought Iron Dining Chairs - Set of 4. Item features woven rattan backs, wooden slat seats, black painted finish (not original), wrou...
Iron
Set of 8 Fine French Art Deco Cherry Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of height fine French Art Deco cherry dining/side chairs.
Cherry
$2,450 / set
H 33 in W 16.5 in D 17.5 in
Love Chairs by Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Modern Iron Dining Patio Set of Four
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four "Love" dining chairs, designed by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard, American, circa 1960s. They can be used indoors or outdoors, or anywhere you need a little more love i...
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Wood and Rush Chair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural Arthur Umanoff chair with signature rush back, slatted wood seat, and iron legs. Metal frame in a vintage adobe finish. Rare design. Floating ...
Iron
Set of 6 Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs with Caned Back
By Drexel
Located in Freehold, NJ
This set of 6 mid century modern dining chairs feature hardwood construction, original walnut finish, vintage patterned uphol...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Set of 4 French Art Deco Cherry Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of four fine French Art Deco cherry chairs.
Cherry
Set of 4 French Art Deco Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 4 French Art Deco blackened wood dining chairs with a rosewood veneered back rest.
Wood
$1,200 / set
H 14.5 in Dm 17 in
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...
Iron
$1,650 / set
H 38 in W 18 in D 20 in
4 American Modern Tomlinson Sophisticate Tall Back Dining Chairs Mid-century
By Tomlinson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish set of 4 tall back American modern Tomlinson Sophisticate dining chairs. I love the round seat pads and sexy tall backs.
Upholstery
Set of 3 Arthur Umanoff "Grenada" Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three swivel stools with a strong iron frame desgined by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard's "Grenada" collection. Decorative scrolled seat back and round footrest. Measures: Adjusts ...
Iron, Metal, Chrome
$2,963 / set
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
1970s Borge Mogensen Set of Six Model 3241 Dining Chairs in Oak
By Frederecia Furniture, Børge Mogensen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of six model 3241 dining chairs in oak designed in 1968 by Børge Mogensen for Frederecia Stolefabrik. The chairs and upholstery are in very good condition.
Oak
$2,795 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back Dining Chairs, 4/Set
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exceptional set of iconic Mid-Century Modern solid Maple spindle back dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s. Dimensions: 19.5"W x 19.5...
Maple
Arthur Umanoff Style Vintage Basket Chair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Got conflicting information on this one. 1950s Danish or Arthur Umanoff (style?) Either way, it's a badass accent chair. Wicker basket seat with rattan arms and supports. Minor areas...
Wicker
Sold
H 29.3 in W 17.75 in D 20.75 in
Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Dining Chairs Woven Leather Shaver Howard a Pair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A pair of Arthur Umanoff wrought iron dining chairs for Shaver Howard. These hard to find chairs feature woven leather seat backs and original vinyl seats. The chairs retain the ori...
Iron
Sold
H 34.75 in W 18.25 in D 19.5 in
Mayan Iron Dining Chairs by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard - set of 4
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Esperance, NY
This striking mid-century iron table, designed by Arthur Umanoff, features a clean and elegant design that perfectly blends style with simplicity.
Iron
Sold
H 41 in W 16 in D 20 in
'Granada' Patio Dining Set by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver-Howard, circa 1960s
By The Grenada Collection by Boyuer Scott, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage 'Granada' patio dining set by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver-Howard, Inc (Boyuer Scott Furniture) features incredible wrought iron scroll work across four patio dining chairs and one patio dining table with glass top. Beautiful Palm Beach regency style in a quintessential Mid-Century Modern design. This classic Mid-Century Modern five-piece dining set includes four high-back dining chairs and one round glass top dining table which is 42" in diameter. Described in their 1969/1970 catalogue as "The Granada Collection dramatizes major furnishings with Mediterranean-inspired scroll work in black, lime green, or turquoise complemented by fabric upholstery in subtle-to-daring color choice. This Arthur Umanoff Grenada...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Dining Chairs - A Pair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Franklin Park, 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...
Metal
Sold
H 32 in W 26.75 in D 19 in
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard MCM Rattan and Iron Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard MCM Rattan and iron dining chairs - set of 6 Each chair measures: 26.75 wide x 19 deep x 32 inches high, with a seat hei...
Iron
Sold
H 35.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Midcentury Woven Cognac Leather + Wrought Iron Chairs, After Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of four wrought iron and woven leather side chairs by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard. Gorgeous cognac tone leather has aged to perfection and displays a warm rich patina. Iron ...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 40.25 in W 16.25 in D 19 in
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard Mid Century High Back Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Franklin Park, 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...
Wrought Iron
Set of 4 High Ladder Back Iron Chairs by Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of 4 high back iron, brass, and vinyl ding chairs by Arthur Umanoff. Very stylish and chic architectural form, hard to find this model, especially hard to find in sets. Thes...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 31 in W 26.5 in D 21.5 in
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard Midcentury Iron and Vinyl Wicker Chairs, Four
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard midcentury iron and vinyl wicker chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures: 26.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 17.5 inches All pi...
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Pair of Wood Slat Wrought Iron Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: designer Arthur Umanoff pair of wrought iron and wood slat dining chairs Classic 1950s USA by Shaver Howard Raymor. Dimensions: 33 1/4" H x 18" D x 18 1/8" W, s...
Iron
Sold
H 28.75 in Dm 29.75 in
Arthur Umanoff Mid-Century Modern Dinette Set Wrought Iron Table and Four Chairs
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Chicago, IL
This festive dinette set was designed by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard. The frames are wrought iron, and the table and chairs all have an abstract, feather-like detail. They form ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28 in Dm 48 in
Tulip Style White Fiberglass Swivel Chairs and Table by Umanoff for Contemporary
By Contemporary Shells Inc. 1, Arthur Umanoff, Eero Saarinen
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome set of four tulip style white fiberglass swivel armchairs with black vinyl seat cushions and round dining table set by Arthur Umanoff for Contemporary Shells. These are era appropriate vintage chairs and table done in the style of Eero Saarinen for Knoll and subsequently Burke. They are in wonderful vintage condition. The fiberglass is in fabulous condition as is the black vinyl, Naugahyde, or faux leather seat cushions. The bases have been given a new coat of paint and the tabletop polished with laminate polish. There still may be a couple small nicks on the tabletop. Please see photos. Circa 1970s. This mid mod set...
Aluminum