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Dan Johnson Seating

American, 1918-1979

While most postwar furniture designers were looking to the future, Dan Johnson found inspiration in the past. The mid-century modern maverick is remembered for his beautiful armchairs, lounge chairs and dining tables with designs that are reminiscent of ancient Rome.

The American furniture designer began his career in the late 1940s by creating solid wood pieces like desks and dining chairs for California furniture manufacturer Hayden Hall. By the early 1950s, he was designing chairs and tables for American furniture importer and producer Selig. In 1955, Johnson moved to Rome on an apartment design commission. While there, he launched Dan Johnson Studio with the goal of bringing a modern approach to the Roman furniture of antiquity.

The pieces from this era of Johnson’s career are characterized by their sculptural metal designs. His most famous work was the elegant Gazelle line, sold in America by Selig. It features dining tables, coffee tables and multiple chair designs that involve a green “Pompeian Verde” patina, metal framing and traditional caning techniques. Due to a high manufacturing cost, the production line was limited and is highly exclusive today.

Another popular design by Johnson for Selig in the 1950s was the Viscount chair. More typical of the mid-century style, it was made with a wood frame, polished brass accents and orange leather upholstery. In the 1960s, Johnson designed a similar aluminum chair for American furniture manufacturer and distributor Shelby Williams, this one with blue upholstery.

Johnson died in 1978. The Gazelle armchair is in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and Denver Art Museum, and a prototype of the Gazelle lounge chair is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Interior designers regularly use Johnson’s furniture for upscale outdoor spaces in California and New York.

On 1stDibs, find Dan Johnson seating, tables, desks and more.

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Creator: Dan Johnson
Dan Johnson “Viscount” Cognac Leather and Brass Accent Armchair for Selig
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid Century Modern “Viscount” armchair designed by Dan Johnson for Selig in Denmark circa 1950’s. This elegant design features a newly refinished wa...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Brass

Dan Johnson Aluminum Chaise Lounge by Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic design of this lounge, by Dan Johnson is timeless. Brown Jordan reissued this chair with his design... a compliment to any outdoor setting, by the pool, or garden. Dan ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Aluminum

American Designer, Lounge Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Pacific Iron, Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted iron and off white fabric lounge chair, designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 16" Arm Height (inches): 21.38" All items ship from High P...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Iron

Restored Wrought Iron Chair and Ottoman by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron, USA
By Dan Johnson
Located in Deland, FL
Classic design meets modern materials. This ultra-rare chair and ottoman set, designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron between the late 40's and early 50's, has recently ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

Black & Brass Viscount Chair by Dan Johnson
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in San Francisco, CA
An iconic Viscount armchair, designed by Dan Johnson for Selig. The frame has been carefully restored and finished in an elegant black lacquer. The brass armrests feature a rich, nat...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Brass

"Viscount" Chair by Dan Johnson for Selig
By Globe Furniture, Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This arm chair was made in the 1950s and still feels modern today. With a thin polished brass arm that wraps around the back rest, and connects to a walnut frame. The seats are orig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Metal, Brass

Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair This chair measures: 22.75 wide x 21 deep x 28 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height/chair clearance 26.2...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Brass

Dan Johnson Iron Lounge Chair with Bent Walnut Plywood Armrest
By Dan Johnson
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production lounge chair by Dan Johnson 1960s. The lounge chair is constructed of iron with sculpted walnut armrest and upholstered in a new Perennial fabric.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Iron

Dan Johnson Walnut and Brass Viscount Chair by Selig
By Dan Johnson
Located in Wilton, CT
This Dan Johnson Viscount chair is in its original condition. It has a lovely patina and has kept its structural integrity due to its fine workmanship. Upholstered in its original bl...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Dining Chairs in Chenille and Bronze by Dan Johnson, C. 1950s
By Shelby Williams, Dan Johnson
Located in Westport, CT
A rare set of four Crucible Dining Chairs by Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams, circa 1950s. Fully restored by Stamford Modern, the walnut frames are refinished in a rich dark walnut, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Bronze

Completely Restored Dan Johnson for Viscount Mid-Century Brass Armchair 1950s
By Kodawood, Dan Johnson
Located in St. Louis, MO
Dan Johnson "Viscount" for Kodawood, distributed by Selig, armchair or desk chair, circa 1950s. Refinished in dark ebony stain with new foam, orange leather and polished brass. Arm h...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of deep red leather 'Viscount' chairs by Dan Johnson for Selig
By Dan Johnson
Located in Kleinburg, ON
This stunning armchair is a rare example of Dan Johnson’s Viscount design for Selig, featuring a sleek brass frame and a rich cognac leather upholstery. The chair has a distinctive m...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair By Dan Johnson For Pacific Iron
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your decor with this rare, mid-century modern, lounge slipper chair by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron. This chair features a sleek, minimal, wrought iron frame finished with ba...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Metal

Pair of Brass "Cane" Slipper Chairs by Dan Johnson
By Dan Johnson
Located in Toronto, CA
Slipper chairs, with their stripped-down forms, are an ideal way to add extra seating without encumbering a space. This brass pair by furniture designer Dan Johnson (1918 – 1979) hav...
Category

1960s American Regency Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gazelle 10B chairs in all cast aluminium by Dan Johnson
By Dan Johnson
Located in Kleinburg, ON
The Gazelle chair was designed by Dan Johnson in 1958 as part of a series of chairs that Johnson developed during and after completing a commission to design an apartment in Rome. Jo...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams Aluminum Armchair - rare variation
By Dan Johnson, Shelby Williams
Located in Chicago, IL
Cast aluminum chair designed by Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams. Manufactured by Crucible Products. This appears to be a early variation where no wood arms were ever attached. As T...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Aluminum

American Designer, Slipper Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Pacific Iron, Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A bouclé and iron slipper chair designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 16.5" All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Iron

Dan Johnson, Slipper Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted iron and off white fabric slipper or lounge chair, designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s. 15” seat height
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Seating

Materials

Iron

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Dan Johnson seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Dan Johnson seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dan Johnson seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Dan Johnson 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 seating by Wendell Castle, John Stuart Inc., and Flair Furniture. Prices for Dan Johnson seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,125 and can go as high as $32,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,500.

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