Dan Johnson Chairs
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
Set of 4 Brown Jordan Sol Y Luna Gazelle Chairs
By Brown Jordan, Dan Johnson
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. ...
Category
20th Century American Dan Johnson Chairs
Materials
Metal
Dan Johnson for Shelby Williams Crucible Chair
By Shelby Williams, Dan Johnson
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Bronze
Pair of Dan Johnson for Selig Black Lacquered High-Back Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Selig, Dan Johnson
Located in San Francisco, CA
rare pair of 1950s black lacquered high-back upholstered lounge chairs by Dan Johnson for Selig.
Features elegantly tapered opposing curvilinear lines with a distinctive yet timel...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Chairs
Materials
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 ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Chairs
Materials
Wrought 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 Chairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of bronze Gazelle chairs Dan Johnson
By Dan Johnson
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of bronze "Gazelle" armchairs model 20B. These amazingly sculptural chairs were designed and cast in solid bronze by Dan Johnson circa 1950s. Iconic mid-century silhouette tha...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Chairs
Materials
Bronze
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
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Dan Johnson Chairs
Materials
Brass
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Dan Johnson Viscount Chairs in Navy Leather and Wood Frame by Selig, Set of 4
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Mid Century Dan Johnson Iron Lounge Chair with New Grey Boucle Upholstery
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Dan Johnson "Viscount Chairs", Denmark, 1950s
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Dan Johnson Viscount Chair
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
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Dan Johnson Metal Chairs
By Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
USA: Dan Johnson set of 4 leather and tubular metal chairs, 1950s.
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Dan Johnson Patinated Bronze and Cane "Gazelle' Chairs, USA 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in New York, NY
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Dan Johnson chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Dan Johnson chairs 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 chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Dan Johnson were created in the mid-century modern style in scandinavia during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen, and Ejvind A. Johansson. Prices for Dan Johnson chairs 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 $12,400.