Stendig Co. played a pivotal role in introducing modern European furniture to the American market, thanks to the business acumen of founder Charles Stendig.
Around 1950, the Brooklyn, New York–born Stendig (1924–2024) worked for Raymor, a purveyor of modern china and accessories that is best known for distributing designer Russel Wright’s American Modern line of ceramics. While at Raymor, Stendig focused on the company’s less popular pieces that were made in Italy and Scandinavia, recognizing their potential for the American market. In 1955, he left the company and decided to establish Stendig Co.
That year, a chance encounter with a Finnish trade representative led him to furniture company Asko — one of the largest companies operating in Scandinavia. Asko invited him and Joseph Carreiro, a professor at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts), to help refine their designs.
At Asko’s production facility in Finland, Stendig met several renowned Finnish designers such as Ilmari Tapiovaara, Tapio Wirkkala and Eero Aarnio, the iconic Ball chair creator. Stendig’s trip there was a success, and Stendig Co. began importing Finnish furniture to the United States.
In 1956, the first Stendig Co. showroom opened in Manhattan. A year later, during a trip to Zurich, Stendig came across a Bauhaus–inspired furniture store featuring pieces by Swiss designers Kurt Thut, Hans Eichenberger and Robert Haussmann, the store’s co-owner. Following a meeting with Haussmann, Stendig became the retailer’s exclusive U.S. distributor.
Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Stendig Co. imported and sold furniture from influential European designers, including Swiss designer Bruno Rey, Italian architect and industrial designer Vico Magistretti and Hungarian-American architect and designer Marcel Breuer, creator of the Wassily lounge chair.
By the late 1960s, Stendig Co. moved its headquarters to an expansive space on Manhattan’s East Side and opened showrooms in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, each home to the company’s striking collection of mid-century European armchairs, sofas, dining room chairs, coffee tables and other furnishings. Stendig’s founder was by then representing Italian manufacturers Poltronova and Gufram and bringing revolutionary works of Italian Radical design to American shores.
In 1971, Charles Stendig sold the company to Burlington Industries. He retired in 1976. Today Stendig’s European imports are coveted by interior designers and vintage furniture collectors, and he will be forever known as the man who introduced modern European design to the United States.
Find a range of vintage Stendig Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
Stendig Living Room, Sofa, Pair of Cube Chairs, New Boucle, Switzerland, Labeled
By Charles Stendig, Stendig Co.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Sofa & Pair Cube Chairs by Stendig, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid Century Modern, Labeled A rare Mid Century Modern living room ret in prist...
Chrome
$13,000
H 25.6 in W 68.9 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Ivory Bouclé, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” two-seater sofa for Cassina, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is firmly associated with the next decade, when its popularity peaked. "Soriana" is low and invites you to sink into its curves. The most notable feature of this couch, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Bouclé
$9,490Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 27.96 in W 76.38 in D 32.29 in
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room Set by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This three elements living room set from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proporti...
Brass
$19,200
H 25.6 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Ivory Bouclé, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Bouclé Wool and Chromed Steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is firmly associated with the next decade, when its popularity peaked. "Soriana" is low and invites you to sink into its curves. Its most notable feature, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Bouclé
$10,592 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$27,000 / set
H 28.35 in W 94.49 in D 33.47 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Living Room Set for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" living room set for B&B Italia, sofa and two armchairs, faux-fur, foam and metal, Italy, 1971, set of three. The search for a new shape for upholstered fu...
Faux Fur, Foam
$21,000 / set
H 25.6 in W 68.9 in D 37.41 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Black, 1969, Set of 3
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Sofa and two Lounge Chairs, Black Leather, Italy, 1969, Set of three. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "So...
Plastic, Leather
$7,500 / set
H 31.5 in W 206.7 in D 33.47 in
Mid-Century Modern Leather Lounge Sofa/Living Room Set/7, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern sectional leather lounge sofa/living room set/7, Switzerland, 1970s Mid-Century Modern sectional leather lounge sofa/living room set of seven seats manufacture...
Leather, Beech
$19,930Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 29.93 in W 79.93 in D 53.15 in
Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970s
By Maison Honoré, Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare set of two small croissant sofas by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofas have been fully resto...
Leather, Bouclé
$5,178Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 27.96 in W 51.97 in D 32.29 in
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room Set by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This two elements living room set from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proportion...
Brass
$8,826 / set
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 37.41 in
De Sede Sofa and Easy Chair Model DS-47 by De Sede in Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare two-seat sofa and easy chair model DS-47 designed by design team at De Sede. Produced by De Sede in Switzerland.
Leather
Modernist Living Room Set by John Van Zeeland, Belgium, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modernist Style; Modernism; Art Deco; John Van Zeeland; Belgian Design; Belgian Architecture; Listed Building; Heritage; Prové; Belgium; Avant Garde; ...
Fabric, Wood
$11,245Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Complete Living Room Sofa and Armchairs Design Sergio Asti for Poltronova, 1962
By Poltronova, Sergio Asti
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid living room with sofa and pair of armchairs, "zelda" model, designed by sergio asti for poltronova in 1962 The sofa measures 210 cm in length, 80 cm in depth and 60 cm in...
Leather, Wood
Beautiful Three-Seater Sofa by Stendig
By Charles Stendig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing lines and presence is what this sofa evokes, the frame is composed of thin metal rods and wooden beams that hold the seat and backrest in place which it gives the sofa a floa...
Chrome
Robert Haussmann Sofa for De Sede
By De Sede, Charles Stendig, Robert Haussmann
Located in New York, NY
Three-seat sofa with chromed steel frame, wooden platform base, and original brown De Sede leather cushions. By Swiss architect Robert Haussmann, produced c. 1960's. In fine origin...
Chrome, Steel
Stunning Pair of Loveseats by Stendig
By Charles Stendig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing lines and presence is what this sofa evokes, the frame is composed of thin metal rods and wooden beams that hold the seat and backrest in place which it gives the sofas a flo...
Chrome
Early Stendig DS600 Never Ending Sofa
By Charles Stendig
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Early 20 section never ending sofa by Ueli Berger for Stendig circa early 1970's. This example has its original black felted wool and has been newly upholstered in a lovely and suppl...
Leather
Vintage Walnut & Chrome Settee by Stendig
By Charles Stendig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Walnut & Chrome Settee by Stendig
Chrome, Steel