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.
Dan Johnson, Lounge Chair, Cowhide, Iron, Wood, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A green-dyed cowhide, black-lacquered iron and wood lounge chair designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Selig, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood arms and metal frame consistent with age ...
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
American Designer, Lounge Chair, Iron, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
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...
Iron
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
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
Iron
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 27.5 in D 27 in
Wrought Iron Jerry Johnson Leather Sling Lounge Chair (3) Leathercraft 1954
By Jerry Johnson
Located in Camden, ME
Wrought iron and leather sling lounge chairs designed by Jerry Johnson for Leathercraft, circa 1954. Three available, two as pictured the 3rd can be custom fitted to your choice of c...
Wrought Iron
1940s Danish Lounge Chairs with Maple Frame and Armrests
By Hjalmar Jackson, Carl Malmsten
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Danish lounge chair made in the tradition of Scandinavian makers such as Hjalmar Jackson and Carl Malmsten with a wooden base and armrests made from Maple adding a lot of e...
Wool, Maple
$2,900 / set
H 29 in W 30.5 in D 36 in
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Parsons Slipper Lounge Chairs
By Swaim
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic pair of decorator slipper lounge chairs circa 1970's and made by Swaim. Well made chairs. Fabric is original and needs recovering. Foam and padding are soft.
Fabric
Paul McCobb, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paul McCobb, American Mid-Century Modern, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s A pair of model 1322 lounge chairs designed by Paul MCobb for Directional Furniture in the...
Fabric, Wood
$3,250
H 28.5 in W 27 in D 25 in
Danish Midcentury Slipper or Cocktail Lounge Chair Floral Fabric , 1950's
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very charming Danish slipper or cocktail chairs from ca. 1950. Very comfortable and light weight and thus easy to move around when the situation and guests require extra seating. W...
Teak
Danish Lounge Chair With Velvet and Wood Trimmed Armrest, 1940's
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish Lounge chair with wood detail on armrests and back frame. This chair has been expertly reupholstered with a premium quality Schumacher performance velvet quality. The tufted b...
Velvet
Vintage Bent Rattan Lounge Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant pair of vintage lounge chairs is a sculptural masterclass in organic Mid-Century Modern design. Expertly crafted from thick bent rattan, the chairs feature a distinctive...
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
$5,326
H 32.29 in W 22.45 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Lounge Chair in Style of Pierre Jeanneret in Cowhide, c. 1950s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A beautiful Mid-Century lounge chair produced in Norway, c 1950s, in the style of Pierre Jeanneret. Solid wood frame with a straightforward, structural design typical of the period. ...
Cowhide, Beech
$8,200 / set
H 33.25 in W 31.75 in D 31 in
Ilmari Lappalainen, Lounge Chairs, Beech, Green Fabric, Finland, 1950s
By Asko, Ilmari Lappalainen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Ilmari Lappalainen, Asko, Finnish Mid-Century Modern, "Laila" Lounge Chairs, Beech, Green Fabric, Finland, 1950s Pair of 'Laila' lounge chairs designed by Ilmari Lappalainen (Finlan...
Fabric, Beech
$4,708 / item
H 25.2 in W 29.14 in D 29.53 in
Cowrie, Ebonised Ash Veneered Bent Plywood Lounge Chair by Made in Ratio
By Made in Ratio, Brodie Neill
Located in London, GB
The contemporary Cowrie chair is a rock solid easy chair inspired by the concave lines of sea shells. The curvilinear forms are the result of an extensive...
Ash, Walnut
$17,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 27.5 in D 26.75 in
Paul László Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Glenn of California, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
Located in New York, NY
Lounge chair by Paul László with matching ottoman and dark-stained wooden frame. Both chair and ottoman are upholstered in white and brown cowhide. Produced by Glenn of California. V...
Cowhide, Wood
$4,708 / item
H 25.2 in W 29.14 in D 29.53 in
Cowrie, Ash Veneered Bent Plywood Contemporary Lounge Chair by Made in Ratio
By Brodie Neill, Made in Ratio
Located in London, GB
The contemporary Cowrie chair is a rock solid easy chair inspired by the concave lines of sea shells. The curvilinear forms are the result of an extensive...
Ash, Walnut
Set of Oak, Mohair and Bronze Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson, C. 1950s
By Dan Johnson
Located in Westport, CT
Immerse yourself in mid-century modern elegance with this exquisite pair of lounge chairs by renowned designer Dan Johnson, crafted circa 1950-1959. These chairs boast a sturdy oak f...
Bronze
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
Dan Johnson, Lounge Chair, Iron, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in High Point, NC
A beige velvet and black-lacquered iron lounge chair, designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new velvet. 15" seat height
Iron
Sold
H 30 in W 26.93 in D 32.25 in
Dan Johnson, Slipper Chair, Metal, Fabric, Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in High Point, NC
A fabric and black-lacquered metal slipper chair designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Pacific Iron, USA, 1950s.
Metal
Dan Johnson High-Back Lounge Chair with Brass Accents for Selig
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High-Back lounge chair designed by Dan Johnson for Selig and manufactured in Denmark circa 1950’s. Featuring a beautifully carved walnut-stained beechwood frame with five slats accen...
Brass
Dan Johnson Iron Lounge Chair with Walnut Armrests for Selig
By Dan Johnson, Selig
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Iron Lounge Chair with Walnut Armrests by Dan Johnson is a beautiful and unique piece of furniture that combines industrial materials with warm, natural wood. The chair has a sle...
Iron
Dan Johnson Leather Sling Chair
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Dan Johnson leather sling chair, Tubular bent steel with leather sling, newer production from a rare series from the 1950's, exact period correct ...
Steel
Wrought Iron Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron
By Dan Johnson, Pacific Iron
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, lounge chair set by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron features an armchair and slipper chair with minimal wrought iron frames with ...
Wrought Iron
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 ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 31 in W 24.5 in D 22 in
Vintage Sculptural Lounge Chair Designed by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron Frame
By Dan Johnson
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-century sculptural lounge chair by Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron Frame features an iron frame with cushioned seat, backrest, and armrests. Upholstery is in good condition or can b...
Iron
Sold
H 27 in W 22 in L 27 in
Dan Johnson, "Gazelle" Lounge Chairs, Patinated Bronze, Cane, Italy, circa 1955
By Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
While working on a commission to design an apartment in Rome, American Designer, Dan Johnsson conjured the idea for the “Gazelle” series. In order to realize these highly intricate designs, Johnsson turned to highly skilled local cabinet makers in Italy. Due to high production costs only a limited number of works from the initial “Gazelle”-series were produced. A prototype for the Gazelle lounge chair...
Bronze
Pair of Dan Johnson for Pacific Iron Lounge Chairs
By Dan Johnson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Dan Johnson for Pacific iron lounge chairs. Newly re-upholstered and ready to go! Unique design, simple iron frames make up these chairs. New Raf Simmons for Kravat Nubby fabric in s...
Iron