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.
Pair of Dan Johnson Three Drawer Dressers for Hayden Hall
By Hayden Hall 1, Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of dresser by Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall, c.1950s, USA. The maple dressers feature three drawers with thick edges that protrude the surface top of the case pieces. Dimensions ...
Maple
Price Upon Request
Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Solid Maple Desk, 1947
By Dan Johnson, Hayden Hall 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is one of Dan Johnson’s earliest and rarest designs, made for Hayden hall of Alhambra, California. The form is classic California midcentury. Made fro...
Maple
Oak Parquetry Six Drawer Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A light oak parquetry six-drawer dresser in dawn finish. This beautiful hand-carved oak dresser includes six drawers with mirrored herringbone starburst ...
Wood
Vintage Edwardian Walnut Writing Desk, Sofa Table, Hall Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Versatile Edwardian style writing that can be used as console table, Sofa table or as a hall table. Simple yet elegant carving on edges. Pull out tray to make create more writing are...
Walnut
6-Drawer Silver Trim Mirrored Dresser
Located in New York, NY
Custom 6-drawer silver trim mirrored dresser with Lucite knobs. Customization is available in different sizes, finishes, and hardware.
Silver Leaf
Mid Century 9 Drawer Dresser
By Jan Kuypers
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional nine drawer dresser, of solid teak wood construction, in clean original vintage condition. This exceptional dresser was designed by Jan Kuypers for Imperial...
Walnut
$2,200
H 45.5 in W 40 in D 21 in
Rare Paul Frankl Tall Dresser High Chest Drawers X-Pulls From Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in West Hartford, CT
A rare, sophisticated high chest designed by Paul Frankl for the Johnson Furniture Company, circa late 1940s-early 1950s. The coveted Johnson hallmark is incised inside. It is a prim...
Brass
Sheraton Style Kidney Shaped Writing Desk by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is a new traditional mahogany library writing desk. Its design was inspired by Sheraton desks from the Regency period and features a kidney shape. The legs are Classic Sheraton ...
Mahogany
$5,495 / set
H 32.75 in W 32.75 in D 18 in
Greta Grossman for Glenn of California Midcentury Walnut 3 Drawer Chest, Pair
By Glenn of California, Greta Magnusson Grossman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Greta Grossman for Glenn of California midcentury walnut 3 drawer chest - pair Each chest measures: 32.75 wide x 18 deep x 32.75 inc...
Brass
$2,471Sale Price|25% Off
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 24 in
MCM Maple Student Desk #1560 Planner Group for Winchendon by Paul McCobb
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic vintage MCM (Mid-Century Modern) maple student desk #1560 Planner Group for Winchendon designed by Paul McCobb. This piece has been attributed based upon archived research ...
Brass
Michael Graves Unique Burl Maple Pedestal Vitrine Desk, 1990c.
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Chicago, IL
Michael Graves Unique Burl Maple Pedestal Vitrine Desk, 1990c. One-of-a-kind vitrine desk by architect and designer Michael Graves. The piece features a rectangular burl maple veneer...
Steel
Pair of Mid-Century American Walnut Dressers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of American walnut dressers feature four spacious drawers, carved pulls, and raised rear edges. Slight taper to the sculpted ...
Walnut
$3,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 29.75 in D 20.5 in
Pair of Lacquer Glazed Dark Mahogany Three-Drawer Commodes
By United Furniture Corporation
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent pair of three-drawer commodes by United Furniture of Lexington N.C, circa 1930s. Bleached mahogany wood with a dark shading stain finish. Two drawers are side grip, without...
Lacquer, Mahogany
Pair of Robsjohn-Gibbings Bachelor Four Drawer Chests Dressers
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut bachelor chests by Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb.
Walnut
California Design Architectural Dressers Dan Johnson
By Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of dressers. From an estate in Hancock Park Los Angeles. These were usually made for interiors. Only a few have survived. Limited. Studio made of plywood (no press-board) ...
Wood
Dan Johnson Rare Sideboard
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Rare Two-Door Buffett/Case. Features Highly figured seagrass American mahogany and cut-out door details with inset pulls and b...
Brass