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.
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Arm Chairs by Dan Johnson, 1950
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural study in proportion and restraint, this rare set of four "Viscount" arm chairs by Dan Johnson represents one of American mid-century design's most quietly extraordinary ...
Brass
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 ...
Wrought Iron
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Lucite Folding Chairs, 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very nice set of four mid century modern Lucite folding chairs. Great to have when you need that extra seating for your dinner party. Fold ...
Chrome
Set of Four Mid-Century Dining Chairs
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Munich, DE
Set of four mid-century oak dining chairs, probably Italian.
Oak
$5,395Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 37.75 in W 21.75 in D 18.25 in
Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs, 4 Side-Chairs & 2 Arm-Chairs
By John Widdicomb
Located in Huntington, NY
A Set of 6 John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern dining chairs, 4 side-chairs & 2 arm-chairs Measure: Seat height 17.5.
Naugahyde, Walnut
Antique Wrought Iron Patio Sofa, Vintage Outdoor Seating, USA
Located in Cumberland, RI
Vintage Wroughr Iron Outdoor Sofa This outdoor patio sofa is perfect for any outdoor patio, deck, or garden. Designed like Woodard, this grapes and vine motif add interesting detail ...
Wrought Iron
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.
Iron
$2,895
H 28 in W 22 in D 20 in
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...
Brass
$6,500
H 25 in W 26 in D 26 in
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...
Metal
Garouste & Bonetti style , Wrought Iron Chair
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Miami, FL
In the style of Garouste & Bonetti , wrought iron chair.
Brass, Wrought Iron
$1,690 / set
H 30.32 in W 19.3 in D 22.05 in
Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Folding Chairs by Thonet, Poland, 1958
By Thonet
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice set of Beech wood folding chairs ,comes width Wicker seats . set of four of Vintage Mid-Century ZMG Radomsko The chairs made by Poli...
Beech
1950s Wrought Iron, Wood, and Rattan Arm Chair
Located in Victoria, BC
This distinctive and meticulously crafted chair, believed to originate from South Africa in the 1950s based on our research, boasts a frame meticulously fashioned from painted wrough...
Rattan
$11,250 / set
H 35 in W 30 in D 30 in
Pair Of Italian Maurizio Tepestini Wrought Iron Chairs And Ottoman
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Italian Maurizio Tepestini Wrought Iron Chairs And Ottoman Offered is a splendid Italian set of two hand forged wrought iron lounge chairs or garden chairs with wood arms and...
Wrought Iron
Dan Johnson Viscount Chair
By Dan Johnson, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Raleigh, NC
Signature wrap-around brass arms curve continuously from back to front, creating the sculptural silhouette that defines Dan Johnson's 1950s Viscount design. Newly reupholstered in cognac leather while retaining the original espresso-finished wooden frame. The espresso finish shows authentic patina and wear consistent with a vintage piece of this age. Warm cognac leather contrasts with the aged brass arms and dark wood frame, creating a layered palette of browns and metallic tones. The Viscount chair...
Brass
Set of Ten Mid-Century Viscount Chairs by Dan Johnson, c. 1950's
By Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of ten Mid-century Viscount chairs with brass, light brown leather and rich walnut wood by Dan Johnson. Made in Denmark, c. 1950's. Dimensions: 29"H x 20.5"W x 20"D
Brass
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...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 24 in D 32 in
1950s Dan Johnson Beige Fabric Wrought Iron Frame Slipper Chair for Pacific Iron
By Dan Johnson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Dan Johnson armless slipper chair for Pacific Iron. This lovely 1950s accent lounge chair features a beige fabric wool blend upholstery, and a wrought iron frame. This piece has a ...
Wrought Iron
Set of 4 Brown Jordan Sol Y Luna Gazelle Chairs
By Dan Johnson, Brown Jordan
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely set of 4 Brown Jordan Sol Y Luna chairs. These Gazelle chairs originally designed by dan Johnson in bronze are simply elegant. The reissue by Brown Jordan are in aluminum. ...
Metal
California Modern Lounge Chair by Dan Johnson for Selig
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair designed by California-based designer Dan Johnson and produced in the mid-1950s by Selig. The lightweight wire frame has a square seat- and back cushion and angled legs....
Metal
Set of Ten Mid-Century Viscount Chairs by Dan Johnson, c. 1950's
By Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of ten Mid-century Viscount chairs with brass, light brown leather and rich walnut wood by Dan Johnson. Made in Denmark, c. 1950's. Dimensions: 29"H x 20.5"W x 20"D
Brass
Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams Crucible Chair
By Dan Johnson, Shelby Williams
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams Crucible Chair having cast aluminum and wood frame on upholstered seat and back. Beautiful lines on this seldom found chair. In amazing original vinta...
Aluminum, Bronze
Dan Johnson Occasional or Desk Chair
By Dan Johnson
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Ebonized mahogany and anodized aluminum chair by Dan Johnson, circa late 1960s. This example has been masterfully refinished and reupholstered ...
Aluminum
Pair of Dan Johnson Bronze Gazelle Lounge Chairs
By Dan Johnson
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare pair of Dan Johnson Gazelle lounge chairs in beautifully patinated bronze and cane. Very rare matched pair in very good condition.
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in Dallas, TX
This set of lounge chair and ottoman by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron is spectacular. Comfortable and equally fashionable, features clean lines, and a timeless design that never goes ...
Metal
Dan Johnson Sol y Luna Lounge chairs '4'
By Dan Johnson
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, these four wonderfully organic Sol Y Luna lounge chairs by Dan Johnson (an adaptation of Johnson's 1954 Gazelle ...
Aluminum
Dan Johnson "Viscount Chairs", Denmark, 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of "Viscount Chairs" designed by Dan Johnson. Produced in Denmark, 1950s. Restored. Espresso wood tone, polished brass, black leather upholstery.
Brass