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.
$5,400Sale Price|22% Off
Brown Jordan Sol Y Luna High Top Bar Table and Bar Stools
By Brown Jordan, Dan Johnson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful set by Brown Jordan. It is a licensed adaptation in Aluminum of Dan Johnson 1950’s Gazelle design. This set has been repowder coated in a bronze color. The table is 37.5 ...
Aluminum
$24,000
Dan Johnson "Satyr" Table
By Dan Johnson
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Three-leg satyr table by Dan Johnson. Bronze base with new glass top, inspired by images of Greco-Roman mythological figures.
Bronze
$6,600 / set
Dan Johnson, Side Tables, Mahogany, USA, 1950s
By Dan Johnson, Hayden Hall 1
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of mahogany side tables designed by Dan Johnson and produced by Hayden Hall Furniture, USA, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 21.25” H x 29” W x 18” H
Mahogany
Dan Johnson Dining Table and or Desk
By Dan Johnson
Located in Chicago, IL
Dan Johnson dining table and or Desk for Arch Industries Inc. Designed 1958, manufactured by Dan Johnson Studio, Rome Italy. Travertine Marble Top wit...
Travertine, Bronze, Wrought Iron
High Brown Milk Stools
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown milk stools by Bicci de' Medici Studio Dimensions: Diameter 30cm x height 40cm Materials: Natural wood. Pigment. Technique: Carved wood. Handmade. Oiled. Stained Designer...
Wood
Lacquered Desk or Dining Table by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
Luca is an elegant and sculptural piece by Jacques Jarrige that functions equally well as a refined desk or a small dining table. Hand-carved and finished in lustrous lacquer, the pi...
Scrap Wood
Bakelite, Brass and Iron 1950s Side Tables
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Chic set of three low tables with tubular iron bases, laquered in black paint and ending in brass sabots. The tabletops are black bakelite, with brass surrounds. Heavy, very nice ...
Brass, Iron
Modern Walnut Coffee Table
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This modern walnut coffee table is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each table is a hand-made mitered box from walnut v...
Walnut
$2,464Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 44 in W 25.5 in D 24 in
Vintage Bohemian Rattan Dining Set, Glass-Top Table and Four High-Back Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully preserved 1970s rattan dining set that embodies the relaxed elegance of California coastal and tropical modern design. This five-piece set includes a sculptural round r...
Velvet, Cane, Rattan, Glass
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Rattan Desk or Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Mid-century 1950's French bamboo desk or dining table. Wicker, rattan, faux bamboo.
Rattan
Coffee Table, Centre Table
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV style coffee table made by La Maison London. Rocaille revival style, hand-carved in solid wood, finished in hand-painted gesso white. Deep button upholstery with a raspber...
Wood
"Xilte" Coffee Table
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" coffee table is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archytypical modern f...
Hardwood
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round Bronze Patio Coffee Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio coffee table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and a circu...
Bronze
Brown Jordan Outdoor Indoor Bar Serving Cart by Richard Frinier
By Brown Jordan, Richard Frinier
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous design for an outdoor bar serving cart. Enamel coated with two textured glass shelves both are 30 x 18 inches. Large wheels with tread. In excellent vintage condition with m...
Metal, Enamel
High Brown Milk Stools
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown milk stools by Bicci de' Medici Studio Dimensions: Diameter 30cm x height 40cm Materials: Natural wood. Pigment. Technique: Carved wood. Handmade. Oiled. Stained Designer...
Wood
Four Shell Grotto Chairs and Coordinating Table
By Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of four Grotto chairs newly upholstered and powder coated. The set are a compliment to any dining area, inside or out of doors. The powder coating allows them to be outside as ...
Aluminum
Dan Johnson Side Table for Hayden Hall, USA, c.1947
By Dan Johnson
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Dan Johnson Side Table for Hayden Hall, USA, c.1947.
Mahogany
Rare Dan Johnson Side Tables for Hayden Hall Furniture
By Dan Johnson
Located in Oakland, CA
An early design by American Dan Johnson (1918-1979) for Hayden Hall Furniture, a pair oak side tables with cantilevered tops and striking triangul...
Oak
Dan Johnson, "Gazelle" Table or Desk, Carved Walnut, Italy, c. 1955
By Dan Johnson
Located in High Point, NC
A carved walnut and glass "Gazelle" table or desk designed by the American designer Dan Johnson and produced in Italy, c. 1955.
Glass, Walnut
Dan Johnson for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Dan Johnson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A Dan Johnson designed set for Brown Jordan. The original glass has been replaced with a beautiful piece of travertine. The chairs measure approximately 20 inches wide, 21 inches dee...
Stone, Metal
Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall End Tables
By Dan Johnson, The Hayden Company
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A pair of side tables designed by Dan Johnson for Los Angeles-based Company, Hayden Hall. Original mahogany finish with a nice patina. Only made for one ye...
Mahogany
Dan Johnson Dining Table
By Dan Johnson
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Drop-leaf dining table by Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Furniture, circa 1947. A beautiful example of California modern design. This piece has been professio...
Mahogany
Dan Johnson Dining Table
By Dan Johnson
Located in San Francisco, CA
A drop-leaf dining table in blonde mahogany on architectural X-base legs by Californian designer Dan Johnson. With the leaves extended the table measures 90" in length. Dan Johnson ...
Mahogany
Dan Johnson Gazelle Desk or Dining Table
By Dan Johnson
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Extremely rare and beautiful Dan Johnson "Gazelle" desk or dining table in Italian walnut. The gazelle series were hand made in Italy and became too costly to produce leaving only a ...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 30.25 in W 66 in D 42 in
Rare Architectural Dining Table by Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Furniture
By Hayden Hall 1, Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Dan Johnson. Manufacturer: Hayden hall furniture. Period/Style: Mid-Century Modern. Country: United States. Date: 1947. Dimensions: 30.25″ H x 6...
Mahogany, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 43 in D 42 in
Bronze and Glass "Gazelle" Dining Table by Dan Johnson with a Rock & Roll Past
By Dan Johnson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular cast bronze and glass "Gazelle" dining table designed by Dan Johnson Studio in 1956. This amazing table was owned by Jerry Edmonton, the original drummer for...
Bronze
Dan Johnson Gazelle Coffee Table
By Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dan Johnson Gazelle Coffee Table with Travertine Top, 1960s Provenance: Richard & Constance
Dan Johnson Gazelle Dining Table
By Dan Johnson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dan Johnson Gazelle Rectangular Dining Table