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Dan Johnson Desks

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
Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Solid Maple Desk, 1947
Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Solid Maple Desk, 1947

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...

Category

1940s American Modern Vintage Dan Johnson Desks

Materials

Maple

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Dan Johnson desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Dan Johnson desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dan Johnson desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Dan Johnson were created in the modern style in united states during the 1940s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Knoll, and Florence Knoll. Prices for Dan Johnson desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $19,500 and can go as high as $19,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $19,500.