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.
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
Traditional 72 Inch Mahogany Executive Desk by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is a new traditional mahogany executive desk. Its design was inspired by large desks from the 1800s. It is the regular size version of our classic (84”) LH-3084. It features a t...
Mahogany
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
French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Maple Writing Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
A French Louis XVI style bureau plat, crafted from solid maple and sourced in Provence, France. The rectangular top is framed with a molded and beveled edge and refinished to a rich ...
Brass
$639Sale Price|36% Off
H 30 in W 46 in D 18 in
Johnson Carper Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk with Sculpted Drawers
By Johnson Carper
Located in East Freetown, MA
Johnson Carper Mid=Century Modern wooden desk with seven concave front drawers that pull out easily without drawer pulls. Desk has four peg legs and formica top.
Wood
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
$1,995Sale Price|30% Off
H 30 in W 48 in D 24 in
Unique Mid-Century Modern Maple 9 Drawer Desk by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique Mid-Century Modern maple 9 drawer desk by Drexel in a blonde maple finish. All solid maple drawers with organizer trays and lowered drawers have deep paper file slots. Very un...
Maple
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
$3,250
H 39.6 in W 30.5 in D 19 in
1940s Johnson Furniture Co Chippendale Mahogany Oxbow Slant Front Desk
By Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare 1940s Johnson Furniture Co Chippendale Mahogany Oxbow Slant Front Desk with 3 drawers with dovetail construction, all very well functioning. Recently refinished and in great ...
Brass
Custom Mahogany Regency Style Writing Desk by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is made-to-order traditional mahogany writing desk made in the Leighton Hall shop. It features a cathedral mahogany top with a satinwood inlay, inlaid and tapered legs, dovetail...
Mahogany
American Maple Slant Front Desk, Late 18th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
American Maple Slant Front Desk, late 18th century, with fall front opening to central drawer flanked by three cubbies, and five short drawers, the desk above four drawers on bracket...
Maple
$3,295
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 24 in
MCM Maple Student Desk #1560 Planner Group for Winchendon by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
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
Seldom seen Mahogany and Cork Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning mahogany and cork Mid-Century desk by Paul Frankl with three drawers above two cabinets, one fitted with pull out drawers and branded with "Johnson Furniture Company," all ...
Brass