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 Dan Johnson, Brown Jordan
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
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
$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
$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
$6,500
H 27.5 in W 78 in D 47.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Oval Dining Table or Desk by Florence Knoll in Carrara Marble
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An elegant executive table designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a beautiful polished white & gray Carrara marble top and a chrome-plated star base. This ...
Marble, Chrome
Coast Table Square, Minimalist Dining Table or Desk
By Sun at Six
Located in San Jose, CA
The square version of the Coast Table – we’ve tried to create a quiet, humble table, with the beauty in its details. With this piece, we tried to emphasize the quality and character ...
Oak
Coast Table, Minimalist Desk or Dining Table (51", 66")
By Sun at Six
Located in San Jose, CA
The Coast Table was designed as a quiet, humble table, with beauty in the details. We aimed to emphasize the quality and character of the wood, and let the craftsmanship speak. It's ...
Oak
$3,978Sale Price|40% Off
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Amazing Italian Desk or Dining Table by Guglielmo Ulrich
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful organic shaped walnut base and silvered glass top. I was not able to get a good picture of the top.
Walnut
70's Tobacco Leaf Dining Table or Desk
By Milo Baughman, Aldo Tura
Located in Miami, FL
Textural, organic, and terribly chic. This 70's dining table or desk is sheathed in tobacco leaves and given a acrylic finish to complement its sleek simplicity.
Acrylic, 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
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
Vintage Side Table 1950s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Vintage Side Table 1950s
Wood
$2,765Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.62 in W 56.3 in D 25.6 in
vintage bar table with chairs dining table bar stools 1950s
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage bar table with chairs dining table bar stools 1950s Vintage bar table with 4 chairs. Oak table with inlaid tiles. Complete set in be...
Ceramic, Rattan, Oak
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Square Side Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A side table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a square shape with rounded corners, supported by four legs in matching bronze. T...
Bronze
$24,864
H 32.29 in W 98.43 in D 45.28 in
Unique Red Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Dining Table or Desk, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
A rare piece from Maison Jansen, this large dining table was a commission by a private client. With its impeccable design, perfect proportions, and high-end materials like mother of ...
Brass
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 Dan Johnson, Brown Jordan
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 The Hayden Company, Dan Johnson
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 Dan Johnson, Hayden Hall 1
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