Dan Johnson Side 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.

Creator: Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

$2,195

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Dan Johnson

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

$2,195

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Dan Johnson

Located in Raleigh, NC

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair

$2,247

Dan Johnson for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair

By Selig, Dan Johnson

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of deep red leather 'Viscount' chairs by Dan Johnson for Selig

$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 26.25 in W 22 in D 20 in

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Walnut Armchair

$1,400

H 33 in W 24 in D 24 in

Mid-Century Walnut Armchair

By Finn Juhl

Located in Atlanta, GA

Sculptural solid walnut and upholstered occasional chair after Finn Juhl. The chair has tapered legs, a subtly curved chair back and retains its original turquoise vinyl upholstery.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair By Dan Johnson For Pacific Iron

$6,500

H 25 in W 26 in D 26 in

Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chair By Dan Johnson For Pacific Iron

By Pacific Iron, Dan Johnson

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Panton Chair

$950

H 33 in W 19.5 in D 22.25 in

Panton Chair

By Verner Panton

Located in Highland, IN

The Panton chair is an important icon of modern design and has a fascinating history as Verner Panton experimented with a variety of materials to best realize the design. The most co...

Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Paint, Foam

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Frame Lounge Chair by Viko Baumritter

$1,295

H 27 in W 26.25 in D 32.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Frame Lounge Chair by Viko Baumritter

By Viko Baumritter

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Simple and elegant and in excellent vintage condition. Naugahyde remains in top condition and is quite comfy and stylish. Walnut frame is also in like new condition.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Naugahyde, Walnut

Ib Kofod-Larsen Walnut Scandinavian Danish Modern Lounge Chair for Selig

$2,400Sale Price|20% Off

H 28.58 in W 30 in D 28 in

Ib Kofod-Larsen Walnut Scandinavian Danish Modern Lounge Chair for Selig

By Selig, Ib Kofod-Larsen

Located in Wayne, NJ

Lovely chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen imported by Selig. It features stunning sculpted arms new Removable / Washable Cushion cover. The webbing is in good condition. The Selig emblem is pr...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Dan Johnson Iron Lounge Chair with Bent Walnut Plywood Armrest

$6,400

H 26.5 in W 24 in D 31 in

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Iron

Fritz Hansen "DAN" Swivel Chair by Magnus Stephensen in Bent Beechwood, 1930s

$2,573

H 32.68 in W 17.72 in D 20.87 in

Fritz Hansen "DAN" Swivel Chair by Magnus Stephensen in Bent Beechwood, 1930s

By Magnus Stephensen, Fritz Hansen

Located in Odense, DK

Rare and important "DAN" swivel chair in beech bentwood produced at Fritz Hansen, Copenhagen in the 1930s. The chair was designed by Magnus Stephensen and is considered an icon in th...

Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Beech

Lovely Pair of Selig Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs

$3,650 / set

H 30 in W 28 in D 28 in

Lovely Pair of Selig Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs

By Selig

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Lovely pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut lounge chairs by Selig. This pair retain their original pink and red striped nubby fabric in nice usable condition, we do recommend re-uphols...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chair By Bertha Schaeffer For M. Singer & Sons

$2,800

H 30.5 in W 20 in D 23 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chair By Bertha Schaeffer For M. Singer & Sons

By Bertha Schaefer, M. Singer & Sons

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This Mid-Century Modern side accent chair was designed by interior and furniture designer Bertha Schaefer and manufactured by M. Singer & Sons, circa 1950's. This sleek and sexy chai...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Fabric

Ib Kofod-Larsen Leather Armchair by Fröscher, Light Wood Frame, 1960

$1,151

H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 25.99 in

Ib Kofod-Larsen Leather Armchair by Fröscher, Light Wood Frame, 1960

By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Fröscher Sitform

Located in Ludwigslust, DE

This leather armchair by Kofod-Larsen, based on the design of the Elisabeth chair, is in excellent condition. The light wood frame harmonizes beautifully with the dark, tobacco-brown...

Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Dan Johnson Walnut and Brass Viscount Chair by Selig

$2,750

H 28 in W 22 in D 20 in

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 ...

Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

Sold

H 28 in W 21.5 in D 20 in

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

By Dan Johnson, Selig

Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO

Viscount chair by Dan Johnson, circa late 1950s. This example has a hand rubbed nickel arm and back and walnut frame. It is upholstered in its original ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Nickel

Set of 4 Sol Y Luna Patio Chairs by Dan Johnson

Sold

H 33.75 in W 20 in D 16.5 in

Set of 4 Sol Y Luna Patio Chairs by Dan Johnson

By Dan Johnson

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 Sol Y Luna aluminum patio chairs by Brown Jordan. The set includes 4 side chairs. We are selling per chair. Marked made in Mexico.

Category

1970s American Vintage Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Dan Johnson side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Dan Johnson side chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original side chairs by Dan Johnson were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider side chairs by Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett, and Knoll. Prices for Dan Johnson side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,595 and can go as high as $4,595, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,595.