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Conant Ball

American

While the Conant Ball Company was initially known for its reproductions of period furniture in the Colonial style, the Massachusetts manufacturer eventually garnered national recognition as a leader in the production of solid rock maple dressers, tables and other pieces as well as for its popular modernist collections such as its large Sierra line designed by Colman Zola and its American Modern collection created by Russell Wright

In the 1800s, the small town of Gardner, Massachusetts, saw a boom in start-up furniture factories. There was Westminster transplant Nichols and Stone, Standard Chair of Gardner Inc. — a maker of American Craftsman-style furnishings — Heywood-Wakefield, which moved into the manufacture of furniture with steam-bent wood frames and cane or wicker seating, and later, what was once the largest chair in the world was built in the city to attract tourists and to sell …chairs. 

Conant Ball’s first product was its chairs — there were inviting chairs with woven cane seats and the company later earned acclaim for its Windsor designs. But before it got its name in 1909, there was a chair shop called Jackson & Greenwood. Abner and Leander White purchased the modest-sized business and renamed it A. White and Co. John Conant and his brother Charles joined later and it eventually operated under the name Conant Brothers and Co. Later, the firm’s name changed again with the addition of Carlos Ball, who helmed the company’s Boston location. Between Conant’s and Ball’s passings in 1891 and 1909, Charles Brooks and a succession of family members took the company into the 20th century as Conant Ball Co. 

Conant Ball’s comely mid-century modern furniture — its low-profile lounge chairs, sleek tables and more — owe to partnerships with designers such as Leslie Diamond and Russel Wright

Diamond and Wright created a variety of solid wood furniture including dining room chairs, side tables and dressers. The former created a line called ModernMates that featured solid birch office chairs, nightstands and dining chairs with curved spindle backs, while Wright, who had created some Art Deco furnishings for Heywood-Wakefield, designed charming, light-colored maple furniture called American Modern for Conant Ball. The name is said to have been given to him by his romantic partner — in 1927, Wright married artist and sculptor Mary Einstein. Under her guidance, Wright's attractive, functional designs for the home gained renown, leading to commissions by prestigious companies like the Steubenville Pottery Company.

Conant Ball’s momentum slowed in 1986 and ownership changed hands once more. By 1990, the firm would no longer produce furniture under its own name. 

Find antique Conant Ball tables, chairs, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$3,263
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Design Maple black Lacquer 3 drawer Nightstands
By Leslie Diamond, Conant Ball
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern design Leslie Diamond black lacquer 3 drawer nightstands. Made from solid maple with circular brass sculpted pulls. Designed by Leslie Diamond. In original...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Conant Ball

Materials

Brass

Russell Wright for Conant Ball Maple Midcentury Modern Dresser
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exceptionally unique Russel Wright dresser. Constructed of solid maple, all visible surface have been painstakingly stripped of the original toned lacquer washed out appearance. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Conant Ball

Materials

Maple

Conant Ball Mid Century Drop Leaf Maple Dining Table with 4 Leaves!
By Conant Ball, Leslie Diamond
Located in Madison, WI
Absolutely awesome RARE Leslie Diamond Conant Ball dining table complete with all original leaves to the set! The table framework has two leaves built-in, which can serve as a drop l...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Conant Ball

Materials

Maple

Dresser or Chest of Drawers by Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball ModernMates
By Leslie Diamond, Conant Ball
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and functional seven-drawer dresser or chest of drawers by Leslie Diamond for the ModernMates collection manufactured by Conant Ball of Massachusetts, circa 1950s. The dresse...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Conant Ball

Materials

Birch

Russel Wright, Chests of Drawers, Maple, USA, 1950s
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of maple chests of drawers designed by Russel Wright and produced by Conant Ball, USA, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Conant Ball

Materials

Maple

Russel Wright, Chest of Drawers, Maple, USA, 1950s
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in High Point, NC
A maple chest of drawers designed by Russel Wright and produced by Conant Ball, USA, c. 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Conant Ball

Materials

Maple

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Russell Wright for Conant Ball
By Conant Ball
Located in Esperance, NY
This is a truly remarkable mid-century desk, crafted by Russell Wright for Conant Ball, and it remains in its original condition with just one owner.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Conant Ball

Materials

Maple

Art Deco Upholstered Scoop Dining Chairs By Russel Wright For Conant Ball
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning set of four, mid-century, art decco, upholstered dining chairs designed by the esteemed American designer Russel Wright for Conant Ball, circa 1940 feature a curvilinear, st...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Conant Ball

Materials

Upholstery, Maple, Chenille

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Conant Ball furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Conant Ball furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Conant Ball furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Conant Ball were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Merton Gershun , Kent-Coffey, and Founders Furniture Company. Prices for Conant Ball furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $395 and can go as high as $14,900, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,323.
Questions About Conant Ball
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, Conant Ball is not still in business as of January 2022. The company closed in 1980. However, the furniture is still popular among collectors. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Conant Ball furniture from some of the world’s top sellers.

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