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 for Selig Viscount Mid Century Brass and Walnut Chair

$2,247

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

$2,195

Dan Johnson Viscount Chair

By Dan Johnson, Ib Kofod-Larsen

Located in Raleigh, NC

Category

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

Materials

Brass

George Nakashima N19 Side Chair for Knoll, Walnut, Mid-Century Modern

$3,000

H 30 in W 22 in D 19.5 in

George Nakashima N19 Side Chair for Knoll, Walnut, Mid-Century Modern

By George Nakashima, Knoll

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century "Gazelle" Armchairs by Dan Johnson, in Aluminum and Cane

$25,000 / set

H 32 in W 18 in D 18 in

Mid-Century "Gazelle" Armchairs by Dan Johnson, in Aluminum and Cane

By Dan Johnson

Located in New York, NY

A rare pair of Gazelle Armchairs, created by American designer Dan Johnson (1918-1979). According to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art: "Dan Johnson was a mid-twentieth centu...

Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

1960s High-Back Lounge Chair by Dan Johnson for Selig, Denmark

$4,500

H 36 in W 25.5 in D 33 in

1960s High-Back Lounge Chair by Dan Johnson for Selig, Denmark

By Selig, Dan Johnson

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Lounge chair by Dan Johnson for Selig c.1960s, Denmark. The lounge chair features a sculpted wood frame with curved armrests. The seat cushion and back have been newly upholstered, w...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production)

$4,500

H 28.5 in W 32 in D 27 in

Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production)

By Dan Johnson

Located in Chicago, IL

Dan Johnson Cantilever Lounge Chair (2002 Limited Production) Designer: Dan Johnson Model: Cantilever Lounge Chair Production Date: 2002 (period-correct limited production) Origin: L...

Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Dan Johnson Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

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 Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig

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

Completely Restored Dan Johnson for Viscount Mid-Century Brass Armchair 1950s

$2,650

H 27.75 in W 22.25 in D 20.75 in

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Brass

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

Rare Restored Lounge Chair in Beech by Dan Johnson for Selig, Denmark, c. 1950s

$4,550

H 35 in W 26 in D 33 in

Rare Restored Lounge Chair in Beech by Dan Johnson for Selig, Denmark, c. 1950s

By Selig

Located in Deland, FL

Introducing a newly restored high-back angular lounge chair designed by Dan Johnson for Selig and manufactured in Denmark during the mid-1950’s. Featuring a beautifully carved solid ...

Category

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

Materials

Beech

Vintage Boomerang Hairpin Iron Chair Attrib to Maurizio Tempestini / Dan Johnson

$5,500

H 33.1 in W 25.2 in D 37 in

Vintage Boomerang Hairpin Iron Chair Attrib to Maurizio Tempestini / Dan Johnson

By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Boomerang Hairpin Wrought Iron Chair Attributed to Maurizio Tempestini Manner of Dan Johnson

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Highback Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson in Velvet, C. 1950s

$9,600 / set

H 35 in W 25.5 in D 33 in

Highback Lounge Chairs by Dan Johnson in Velvet, C. 1950s

By Dan Johnson

Located in Westport, CT

A striking pair of vintage lounge chairs designed by Dan Johnson in the 1950s, showcasing the clean architectural lines and refined craftsmanship of mid-century American design. The ...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Corset Side Dining Chairs

$2,600 / set

H 33 in W 20 in D 26 in

Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Corset Side Dining Chairs

By Paul Frankl

Located in St. Louis, MO

Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. Corset side or dining chairs also know as plunging neckline or "V" back chairs. Chairs are in need of re-upholstery, price includes refi...

Category

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

Dan Johnson “Viscount” Cognac Leather and Brass Accent Armchair for Selig

$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 walnut wood frame and freshly polish...

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.