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.
Wrought Iron Glass Top Grenada Dining Table by Umanoff for Shaver Howard 1960's
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Iconic mid century dining table, designed by Arthur Umanoff, for Shaver Howard as part of the sought after Granada series, circa 1960's. This example is in very good, original, clean...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff, Dinette Tables, Wood, Iron, USA, 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-painted iron and wood dinette tables designed by Arthur Umanoff and produced by Raymor, USA, 1950s.
Iron
Iron/Wood Slat Circle Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1950s. USA. Iron base with removeable wood slat top.
Iron
Sublime Bookmatch Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff, c 1975
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent dining table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. An excep...
Olive, Hardwood
Mid Century Modern Dining Room Table in Walnut by Arthur Umanoff
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A clean line dining table by Arthur Umanoff circa 1960's. It features beautiful walnut wood construction. It comes with one 18 inch leaves not...
Walnut
$1,037
H 29.34 in W 90.95 in D 33.86 in
Dining Table Made In Teak With Extensions, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This Danish-designed dining table from the 1960s showcases the timeless elegance and functional craftsmanship synonymous with mid-century modern style. Crafted from teak, a favored m...
Teak
Vintage Dining Table in Italian Wood, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful wooden dining table made in Italy in 1950. The wooden dining table has a nice rectangular top, the legs are slightly curved outwards. The top of the dining table is covere...
Laminate, Wood
Wrought Iron Savonarola Dining Table, Italy 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The Savonarola originates from a chair found in the convent of San Marco in Florence which was used by the 15th century Italian Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola. Savonarola-style...
Iron
Patio or Garden Dining Room Table in Wrought Iron with Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Patio or garden dining room table in wrought iron with glass top Indoor & Outdoor Structure measurements: Depth 27.5 in Width 47.24 in Height 29.52 in.
Wrought Iron
Mid Century Dining Table by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Mid Century dining table designed by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. This example is in very good, original condition, showing only light wear consistent with age. Specifically, an inconsequential veneer flaw at the corner, and light cosmetic wear - please see images. The table opens to accept a large ( 20 in W ) leaf ) extending the width from 72 to 92 inches. This listing is for the dining table only.
Ash
$2,725
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 39.38 in
Scandinavian Midcentury Walnut and Chrome Dining Table with 2 Extension Leafs
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
The super-ellipse table with top in walnut with chrome-plated spring steel legs. Double 50 cm extension leafs. ( 170/270 x 100 x 73 cm).
Chrome
Vintage Dinette Table on a Chrome Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
This table has a white laminate top Aluminum base with gliders Circa 1975 Made In USA
Wood
$695 / set
H 29.25 in Dm 29.75 in
3 pc. Mid Century Dinette Kitchen Set after Umanoff McCobb c 1950/60's
By Paul McCobb, Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century kitchen, or dinette set comprised of a small table and two side chairs. The table has a faux rosewood formica top, on black metal a pedestal base, the two chars ...
Wrought Iron
$1,395
H 18.25 in W 18.25 in D 18.25 in
Arthur Umanoff Washington Woodcraft Solid Walnut Side Table Mid Century 1950s
By Washington Woodcraft, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A solid walnut side table from the late 1950s/early 1960s by Arthur Umanoff and made by Washington Woodcraft of New Jersey. A simple and iconic design, the table has a round top with...
Walnut
$4,500 / set
H 15.75 in W 59.75 in D 14.88 in
Arthur Umanoff Birch and Iron Bench/Coffee Table with Rush Nesting Stools
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arthur Umanoff slatted birch bench/coffee table with iron legs concealing three nesting stools with rush seats (ca. 1950s, USA). Compact piece, ideal for smaller rooms with space li...
Wrought Iron
$3,700
H 29 in Dm 36 in
Mario Papperzini for Salterini “Amalfi” Round Iron Dining Table With Glass Top
By John Salterini, Mario Papperzini
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage “Amalfi” round dining table designed by Mario Papperzini for Salterini in the 1950s. This elegant table features a sculptural wrought iron base with the iconic Amal...
Metal
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Refectory Dining Table Leaves
By Ansager Møbler 1
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Classic Danish Mid-Century Modern rectangular refectory dining table. Made in Denmark. Measures: 2 x 20".
Teak
Mid-Century Burl Wood Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make a bold design statement with this exceptional Midcentury Pedestal Dining Table, designed by the renowned Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham. Known for his sophisticated use of materi...
Burl
Sold
H 29.5 in W 38 in D 72 in
Vintage Arthur Umanoff Burl Burled Wood Dining Table 2 Leaves Pedestal Olivewood
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful Burled Burl Wood Olivewood dining table by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham. This pedestal table comes with the 2 extension leaves which are housed in the pedestal base. The t...
Wood
Sold
H 29 in W 72 in D 38 in
Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Arthur Umanoff
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern burl wood dining table designed by Arthur Umanoff and manufactured by Dillingham in the United States, circa 1970s. This table has been built from the hig...
Burl
American Mid Century Iron Patio Dining Table Base by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful design on this striking table base designed by Arthur Umanoff part of the Granada collection, the table is sold as is condition glass is not Included, the table comes with ...
Iron
Sold
H 29.5 in W 108 in D 38 in
Magnificent Bookmatch Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Umanoff, circa 1975
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent dining table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. An exc...
Olive, Mahogany
Arthur Umanoff Mid-Century Modern Tri-Leg Dining Patio Table
By Arthur Umanoff, The Grenada Collection by Boyuer Scott
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic round iron table, 36 inch diameter with the dimensional 1\2 inch glass top. By Arthur Umanoff for his Granada collection from the Boyuer Scott Company. Simple and elegant. ...
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Dining Table and Chairs
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible dining table and set of four signature chairs by Arthur Umanoff. Chair measurements: 18" D x 24" W x 31" H.
Arthur Umanoff Iron and Glass Table for Shaver Howard
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iron table designed by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard from the Granada collection. Wire scroll work around inside circle. Finished in black with a 3/8" glass top.
Iron
Umanoff Dining Table for Shaver Howard
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Dining height glass top, iron base table with radiation curve pattern top, designed by Arthur Umanoff for Howard Shaver. Table has original bevelled plat...
1950s Black Enameled Iron Petite Dinning Table by Arthur Umanoff Grenada Series
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in San Diego, CA
1950s petite black enameled dining table great for indoor or outdoor, part of the Grenada series, nice 1/2" thick beveled glass and decorative accent.
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Dinette with Four Chairs
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Arthur Umanoff dining set with table and four pie shaped chairs fitted underneath. Wrought iron construction, heavy and well made. Table has slats on top with exposed nail heads a...