Master woodworker David N. Ebner is an integral contributor to the American Studio furniture movement. Along with like-minded artisans such as George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, Arthur Espenet Carpenter and Wharton Esherick, the New York native advocates for the craft of well-made furniture that is not mass-produced. As Ebner himself has stated, “[I am] creating the antiques of tomorrow.”
Ebner was born in 1945 in Buffalo and attended the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology. There, he studied under celebrated American furniture maker Wendell Castle who taught Ebner “the artistic approach” to woodworking. After graduating, Ebner sought to further his education at the London School of Furniture Making. Then, following a two-year stint in the US Armed Forces, he decided to pursue a career as a woodworker and furniture designer, opening a studio on Long Island, New York, in 1973.
As a devotee of Castle’s teachings of creating furniture as a form of functional art, Ebner eschewed the trend of making furniture out of plastics and other synthetic materials — which gained steam with the likes of venturesome Scandinavian modernist designer Verner Panton during the 1960s and 1970s — embracing instead the American Craftsman style that formed the basis of the American Studio furniture movement.
Working with a range of woods, Ebner has designed sculptural live-edge dining room tables, shapely bamboo stools and side tables characterized by swooping organic curves, and statement-making cabinets in lustrous sapele wood, each elegantly hand-carved. “... Each piece is treated as an art object with concern for my material and honesty to its inherent qualities,” Ebner has said. “For me, one’s creative ability is demonstrated in the diversity of the pieces and what one learns from change.”
Ebner has exhibited extensively throughout his career, including shows at the American Crafts Museum and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and the Guild Hall Museum in East Hampton. His works are in permanent collections at the Smithsonian Institute, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Find vintage David N. Ebner chairs, tables, benches and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
New Works from David Ebner "The White Scallion" First Edition of 25
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
David Ebner;s iconic scallion now in white ash, organic and sculptural and a wonderful piece of art for any room. Designed originally as a place to hang your coat but never used for ...
Ash
David Ebner Master Craftsman, "Scallion Coat Rack" Cast Bronze
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
David Ebner one of the foremost makers of American contemporary furniture, and pivotal to his career was Mr Ebner's outstanding inclusion in "Exploration II" The New Furniture at the...
Bronze
Fortini Cast Bronze Figural Relief Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cast hollow bronze figural sculpture carved in relief (ca. early 20th Century Italy). No chips or losses; light patina throughout. Masterful work and appealing subject matter. Can be...
Bronze
Antique Cast Iron Coat of Arms Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This late 19th century cast iron plaque depicts the coat of arms depicts of the Prince of Wales on Nantglyn war memorial. Dating to circa 1880, this is an impressive decorative piec...
Steel, Iron, Metallic Thread
Expressionist Cast Bronze Bust
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A powerful 20th-century cast bronze Expressionist bust, imbued with raw psychological energy and sculptural immediacy. Evocative of The Scream by Edvard Munch, the distorted features...
Bronze
Cast Bronze Snail Sculpture
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This exquisite brass snail sculpture captures the beauty of nature with remarkable craftsmanship and elegant form. The spiraled shell is adorned with delicate, swirling etchings that...
Bronze
Vintage Boho Cast Bronze Figure of David
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A powerful and iconic vintage sculpture, this piece is a masterful reproduction after the celebrated 1872 masterpiece "David" by French sculptor Antonin Mercié. Cast in metal with a ...
Bronze
$10,010 / item
H 80.71 in W 27.56 in D 17.72 in
Branch Gold 24-Karat Coat Rack in Gold or White or Oxidized Finish
Located in Paris, FR
Coat rack branch gold 24-karat made with steel structure gold plated in 24-karat. Must be wall mounted. Price: 7500,00€. Also available on request in: Steel in lacquered matte white ...
Gold Plate, Steel
David del Donatello sculpture in bronze
Located in Rome, IT
David del Donatello sculpture in bronze. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, INFORMATION OF THE LOT AND QUOTE FOR SHIPPING COST CAN BE REQUEST BY SENDING AN EMAIL. ULTERIORI FOTO, INFORMAZIONI SUL LO...
Bronze
Set of 6 Cosmic Blue Pin Wall Decor by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 6 cosmic blue pin wall decor by Zieta Dimensions: diameter 10, 12, 14, 16 cm Material: stainless steel. Finish: Thermal colored. Available in flamed gold. Available powder-c...
Stainless Steel
$3,600Sale Price|44% Off
H 49 in Dm 26 in
American Studio Craft Lectern / Music Stand Wendell Castle Style
By Wendell Castle
Located in Vero Beach, FL
American Studio Craft Lectern / Music Stand Wendell Castle Style. Extraordinary and masterfully executed music stand in the style of Wendell Castle. Th...
Ash, Cherry
Vintage French Antonin Mercie Cast Bronze “David and Goliath”
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional cast bronze sculpture, inspired by the celebrated work of French artist Antonin Mercié, depicts the iconic biblical moment of David triumphing over Goliath. Rendered...
Bronze
$5,800 / item
H 66.93 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Gufram Cactus Rosso CoatRacks Sculpture By Drocco/Mello, Limited Edition of 500
By Gufram Furniture
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Born in 1972, the Cactus Coat Rack has questioned the static and rigid world of interior design since its inception, revolutionizing the traditional f...
Other
Set of 3 Graphite Pin Wall Decor by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Graphite Pin wall decor by Zieta Dimensions: Diameter 10, 12, 14 cm Material: Carbon steel. Finish: Powder-coated. Available in colors: ...
Steel