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.
Vintage 1964 Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Side Table with Glass Top
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Stamford, CT
Small wrought iron side table from the Grenada collection designed by Arthur Umanoff and manufactured by Boyuer Scott Company.
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century American Modern Birch and Iron Accent Table by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard accent / occasional table (ca. 1950s, USA). Composed of a round slatted birch top supported by three slightly splayed wrought iron legs retaining the...
Wrought Iron
$1,916 / item
H 23.63 in Dm 16.93 in
Umanoff Side Table, H60 - Solid Walnut / Brass - by Arthur Umanoff for Audo
By Audo, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Dubai, AE
As relevant today as it was when first designed by Arthur Umanoff in the 1950s, the reissued Umanoff Side Table balances walnut and brass on its rounded top and tripod-inspired frame...
Brass
$3,800 / set
H 23.5 in Dm 16 in
Pair Martini Side Table Tripod Wrought Iron with Etched Brass Top, in stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair Martini Side Table Tripod Wrought Iron with Etched Brass Top, in stock Brass round top with etched Greek key accent, Hammered and forged iron Warm black patina that gives it a t...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$2,500 / item
H 18.5 in W 19 in D 19 in
Wrought Iron and Marble 'Entretoise' Side Table by Design Frères
By Design Frères, Mathieu Matégot
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wrought iron and marble 'Entretoise' side table by Design Frères. Great between 2 armchairs. Also sold as a pair or more. Indoor or outdoor use.
Marble, Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Rosewood End Table "Tuxedo" by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modern walnut and rosewood end "Tuxedo" line by Lane. Classic design and form, nice quality, construction featuring stunning rosewood butterfly inlay detailing. Also avail matching l...
Rosewood, Walnut
$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 Arthur Umanoff, Washington Woodcraft
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
$2,201
H 24.41 in W 11.42 in D 10.63 in
Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Floor Ashtray, Wrought Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish wrought iron floor ashtray or drinks / cocktails table standing on a tripod base, Spain, 1940s. Handcrafted in wrought iron. The top stands on a tripod base with twisting de...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Unusual Wrought Iron Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Occasional table, having a top of round glass, on tripartite base of scrolling hand-wrought iron, each hock-leg decorated by rings and ending in scroll feet. Stock ID: D3246
Wrought Iron
$4,595 / set
H 40.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century Modern Iron Bar with Raffia and 3 Stools by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Arthur Umanoff 4 PC set which includes the large, 60 inch bar with shelving and 3 original bar stools. This set is in great original condition with no issues at all. Wood, R...
Iron
$1,140Sale Price|40% Off
H 30 in Dm 30 in
Vintage Mid-Century Arthur Umanoff Steel and Glass Table for Shaver Howard
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Pasadena, TX
This table is constructed of stainless steel, reminiscent of 1940s French garden furniture. A great table for your outdoors or backyard. Matching chairs. Pictured are also available...
Chrome
$1,077 / set
H 20.25 in Dm 18.25 in
A Pair of Arts & Crafts Hand Formed Wrought Iron Side Tables with Scroll Details
Located in London, GB
A sturdy pair of Arts & Crafts circular side tables with hand formed, wrought iron scroll work details and removable glass tops.
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Cube End Tables by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern end or side tables by Dunbar Furniture in an espresso brown lacquered finish.
Oak
$3,000
H 21 in W 26 in D 26 in
Travertine Stone Wrought Iron Suspended Top Scalloped Glass Coffee Center Table
By Maitland Smith
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern floating top soapstone or travertine pedestal center occasional table. Maitland-Smith looking piece.
Travertine, Soapstone, Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Small Midcentury Walnut Side Table with Magazine Rack
By Arthur Umanoff, Washington Woodcraft
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern solid walnut side table with magazine rack designed by Arthur Umanoff (1923-1985) for Washington Woodcraft in 1964. Dimensions: H 20.5" x W 22" x D 18" Table to...
Teak
Arthur Umanoff Round Walnut Side Table for Washington Woodcraft
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Simply constructed side table from the late 1950s by Arthur Umanoff for New Jersey-based Washington Woodcraft. The table has a round, bull-nosed surface of solid walnut supported by ...
Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 11.13 in D 11.13 in
Circa 1950s Arthur Umanoff Iron & Leather 21-Bottle Wine Rack Accent Table
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A lovely Arthur Umanoff accent table with a maple butcher's block top over a wrought-iron base, it is designed to hold 21 wine bottles in the loops of rawhide leather that hang from the iron frame. The vintage table...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Petite Walnut Side Table with Magazine Rack, 1960s
By Washington Woodcraft, Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern solid walnut side table with magazine rack designed by Arthur Umanoff (1923-1985) for Washington Woodcraft in 1964. Dimensions: H 20.5" x W 22" x D 18" Table to...
Teak
Arthur Umanoff Magazine Rack Side Table
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A rare form by the designer Arthur Umanoff a magazine rack side table with slat wood top and bottom, paper rope cording a fixed to a iron frame. Angled and well crafted to hold some ...
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Midcentury Walnut Side Table with Magazine Rack
By Washington Woodcraft, Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern solid walnut side table with magazine rack designed by Arthur Umanoff (1923-1985) for Washington Woodcraft in 1964. Dimensions: H 20.75" x W 30.25" x D 19.75" ...
Teak
Vintage Arthur Umanoff Spindle End Table in Walnut, 1960s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Classic piece of Mid-Century Modern Americana--Arthur Umanoff's petite but well-conceived spindle-base end table in solid American Black Walnut. Wor...
Walnut
Pair of Wrought Iron and Bamboo End Tables / Stools Arthur Umanoff 1960
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Camden, ME
A pair of Arthur Umanoff cane wrapped wrought iron ring style tables / ottomans / stools manufactured by the Howard Shaver of Greensboro, N. C. in the mi...
Iron
Arthur Umanoff Woven Rattan & Black Wrought Iron Coffee Table, 1950s
By Raymor, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Arthur Umanoff for Raymor black wrought iron and woven wicker occasional table, 1950s. Rectangular woven wrapped surface with capped wrought ir...
Wrought Iron
Arthur Umanoff Side Table with Magazine Rack
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Arthur Umanoff, Washington Woodcraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut side table with magazine rack by Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft, USA, circa 1950s. The table features a sculpted solid walnut top and body with tapered legs and dowel...
Walnut
Vintage Walnut Arthur Umanoff Magazine Side Table
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arthur Umanoff solid walnut side table with attached magazine rack.
Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Magazine Table, circa 1950s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Westport, CT
Walnut end table ft. built in magazine storage, designed by Arthur Umanoff, circa 1950s.
Walnut