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 Stamford, CT
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
Stendig Brown Leather Three-Seat Sofa
By Charles Stendig
Located in Astoria, NY
Stendig Brown Leather Three-Seat Sofa, in two parts with six cushions, with label. 26" H x 111" W x 45" D; seat: 14.5" H. Provenance: A Central Park West Collection.
Leather
$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
$3,751
H 28.94 in W 69.69 in D 38.39 in
ViNTAGE HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER ART DECO THREE SEAT SOFA FEATHER FILLED SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage hand made in England Art Deco style reddish brown leather sofa with overstuffed feather ...
Leather
$9,508Sale 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
$10,696 / 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
$5,229Sale 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
$19,967Sale 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
$2,387
H 29.14 in W 81.5 in D 28.94 in
Stunning Thams Kvalitet Brown Leather & Suede Three Seater Sofa Bentwood Frame
By Thams Kvalitet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this comfortable 1970's dark brown leather three seater sofa by Thams Kvalitet. This is a beautiful and stylish sofa, made with soft brown leath...
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
$10,500Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 26.25 in W 84.5 in D 39.5 in
Paul Frankl 'Speed' Art Deco Living Room Suite in Black Leather, circa 1930s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible Paul Frankl attributed 'Speed' full living room suite is comprised of a three-seat sofa, a 2-seat sofa, armchair and ottoman. The 3-seat sofa and armchair are original 1930s production based on the interior construction details and visible age. The 2-seat sofa and ottoman were created later in the 1980s to match the set and everything was then reupholstered to a thick quality black leather. I personally love this set - the wide arms are perfect for placing a glass of Scotch and an ashtray to enjoy a nice cigar. The deep black color and matching black block feet provide ample masculine style while the shape and silhouette provide a refined and classy vibe. The leather is thick and quality, also smooth and soft to the touch. The collector who acquired this sofa and armchair, purportedly in the 1980s, stated he found what he believed to be a Frankl Galleries (Paul Frankl's 1930s showroom) original example of the Speed sofa...
Leather, Wood
$9,318Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 35.44 in
Massimo and Lella Vignelli "Saratoga" Living Room Set Poltronova, 1960s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Poltronova
Located in Padova, IT
Exceptional Saratoga set designed by Massimo and Lella Vignella, produced by Poltronova, Italy 1960s. A beautiful living room set composed of two sofas (three-seater/two-seater) and...
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 Robert Haussmann, Charles Stendig, De Sede
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