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.
Umanoff Side Table, H45 - Solid Walnut / Brass - by Arthur Umanoff for Audo
By 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
Umanoff Side Table, H60 - Solid Walnut / Brass - by Arthur Umanoff for Audo
By Arthur Umanoff, Audo
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
Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Scroll Low Round Glass Top Side Tables - a Pair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Scroll Low Round Glass Top Side Tables - a Pair. Item features thick round frosted glass tops, wrought iron round bases, nice unique low form. Cir...
Iron
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
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
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
Drexel, Side Tables, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Drexel
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut side tables designed and produced by Drexel, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 19.0"H x 16.0"W x 16.0"D All ite...
Wood, Walnut
$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
Mid Century Modern Walnut Tiny Circular Walnut Side Table 1950s Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage tiny side table or flower stand from walnut and solid beech in smoothly brown color 1950s Austria. A charming side table or flower stand with three (3) fee...
Walnut
Amy, Solid Walnut Side Table / Stool
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
This is a solid walnut side table or small stool. The profile is asymmetrical and architectural while celebrating the natural wood elements. ...
Walnut
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
Mid Century Walnut With Marquetry Round Side Table, 1950s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Beautiful early 20th-century round side table featuring an ornate marquetry top with floral and geometric inlay work. The circular top displays a refined combination of light and dar...
Hardwood, Walnut
$1,919
H 21.86 in W 43.31 in D 24.81 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Walnut Brass Coffee Table Side Table 1950s Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage coffee table bean like. designed and made in Vienna, circa 1950. A charming coffee table or side table from pressboard and walnut veneers. The solid walnut...
Walnut
Side Table in Solid American Walnut by Hinterland Design
By Hinterland Design
Located in Vancouver, BC
Hand Carved White Ash Stool with Copper Plated Ring Support A place where the forest meets the sea, the 'Findhorn' collection of tables and stools contain details from both. Through...
Brass, Steel
TOTEM Side Table by AMBROZIA, Solid Walnut (Large)
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, QC
The Totem Side table is handmade from a thick solid wood surface. Offered in a Large & Small version , which can be paired as set of nesting table. The solid wood surfaces has an han...
Ash, Wood, Walnut, Oak, Maple
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
Vintage Wrought Iron / Painted Wood Top Side Tables
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century pair black wrought iron framed with hand painted wood top side table. Each table features a removable hand painted wood top desig...
Wrought Iron
$2,243
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
Sold
H 20.5 in W 22.25 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Vintage Arthur Umanoff Spindle Side Table w/ Magazine Shelf
By Arthur Umanoff, Washington Woodcraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 20.75 in W 22.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Arthur Umanoff Spindle End Table w/ Magazine Shelf
By Arthur Umanoff, Washington Woodcraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautifully crafted Mid-Century Modern magazine table by Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft exemplifies both form and function. The solid walnut construction features Umano...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 20.75 in W 22.5 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Arthur Umanoff Spindle Side Table w/ Magazine Shelf
By Arthur Umanoff, Washington Woodcraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Mid Century Modern Black Top Wooden Spindle Side End Table
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An Arthur Umanoff spindle table. A lovely little mid century modern piece that can be used as a side or end table. This piece features a black table to...
Wood
Sold
H 16 in W 18.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of 3 Black and Walnut Arthur Umanoff Guitar Pick Triangular Nesting Tables
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Set of three Mid-Century Modern nesting tables by Arthur Umanoff. The tables are guitar-pick shaped with black laminate tops inset to solid walnut wood frames. The vintage 1950s triangular tables...
Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Spindle Base Walnut Side table
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Iconic side table by Arthur Umanoff, and produced by Umanoff himself. In natural walnut, beautifully joined and sculpted The perfect eye catching side table, easily moved throughout the interior...
Walnut
Pair of Rare Hexagon Spindle Side Tables in Wood by Arthur Umanoff 1960s
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Troy, MI
Pair Rare Arthur Umanoff Hexagon Spindle Cage Side Tables Pair of side tables designed by Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft 1960s Hexagon form with carved walnut spindles and...
Wood, Laminate, Walnut
Sold
H 20.75 in W 22.5 in D 18 in
Arthur Umanoff Sculpted Walnut Side Table with Magazine Rack for Washington Wood
By Arthur Umanoff, Washington Woodcraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Wood, Walnut
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
Arthur Umanoff Walnut Triangular Side Table
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arthur Umanoff triangular side table in walnut with original orange surface. Solid turned walnut legs can unscrew for easy storage and shipment. ...
Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Walnut Spindle Side Table with Magazine Rack
By Washington Woodcraft, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern magazine rack designed by Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft in the United States in 1964. This sleek and versatile side table design features a solid walnut wood structu...
Walnut
Arthur Umanoff Side Tables with Magazine Racks for Raymor
By Raymor, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arthur Umanoff side tables with magazine racks for Raymor.
Iron