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.
David N. Ebner. Studio Craftsman, Sassafras Wood Book Chair
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
Master craftsman David N. Ebner's sassafras wood book chair with his exclusive graphite Finish. Please see the newly published book "David Ebner: Stu...
Wood
David N. Ebner, American Studio Craft Artist, "Brookhaven Chair"
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
"The Brookhaven Chair" by American studio Craft artist, David N. Ebner, appears to dance, the legs are so graceful, yet very strong. Pigmented maplew...
Maple
$12,000 / item
David N. Ebner, Twisted Stick Ladder Back Chair
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
One of a kind tall twisted stick ladder back chair by renowned artist and craftsman David N. Ebner. Please see the newly published book "David Ebner: S...
Wood
American Studio Craft Artist David N. Ebner's Dining Chair
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
David N. Ebner's early dining chair in the style of Danish modern, walnut and curly maple dining room chair. Leather seat (your fabric of choice) crafted to order; one or more. No...
Oak
David N. Ebner, Studio Craft Artist, Slatted Bamboo Bench
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
A wonderful David N. Ebner bamboo bench. Shown in amber; the bamboo collection can be crafted in both natural or amber finish. Through the use of stripped down Classic forms, Davi...
Bamboo
19Thc Child's Ladder Back Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Ladder Back child's chair with suede / leather seat cushion.The condition is very good.
Leather, Wood
$1,193 / item
H 32.29 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Vintola Dining Chair, Ginger FR Velvet, Walnut Wood, Vintola Studio
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile dining seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vi...
Jacquard, Velvet, Beech
Ebonized Arts and Crafts Style Dining Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Set of six vintage mahogany dining chairs including two armchairs and four side chairs. Newly re-upholstered in handsome black and white...
Linen, Mahogany
$10,500 / set
H 35.25 in W 18.25 in D 20 in L 35.25 in
Rare 1952 George Nakashima Walnut Chairs, American Craftsman Style
By George Nakashima
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An iconic pair of early circa 1952 George Nakashima "New Chairs" masterfully constructed out of walnut. Letter of authenticity included.
Walnut
$4,092
H 71.26 in W 16.54 in D 19.69 in
Hand-Crafted Modern Velvet Chair by MAJJ Studio in Black Oak Veneer
By MAJJ STUDIO
Located in Istanbul, Kağıthane
Via Clandestina, which is designed and named from the inspiration of ‘eternal recurrence’ theory in Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Via Clandestina means the secret passage...
Velvet, Wood
Arts & Crafts chairs from Aveyron
By Jean Touret
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Chairs in massif wood made by anonymous carpenter from the French countryside Aveyron, 1960.
Wood
Mid-Century Slatted Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sturdy walnut slatted bench at an ideal height for both seating and table use. Gorgeous mid-century details are great for living room use or entry way...
Walnut
Pair of Rustic Craftsman Made Bespoke Bench Chairs
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Great pair of craftsman made bespoke bench style chairs. This pair is incredible, pictures do them no justice. If you've been looking for a unique pair of statement chairs, look no f...
Wood
Studio D Italy Brutalist Chair in Solid Darkened Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio D Italy, chair, pine 1970s This eye-catching brutalist chair captures the essence of raw design. Crafted by Studio D in Italy during the 1970s, it exemplifies the rugged aes...
Pine
$525
H 36 in W 15.25 in D 18 in
Antique Craftsman Quarter Sawn Oak Dining or Single Desk Chair Upholstered Seat
Located in Monrovia, CA
This Is An Antique Craftsman Quarter Sawn Oak Or Tiger Oak Wood Single Dining Chair or Single Desk Chair With An Upholstered Black Vinyl Seat. The Tiger...
Upholstery, Wood, Oak
$2,200 / set
H 34.25 in W 24 in D 23 in
Pair of Design Institute of America DIA Dining or Occasional Chairs
By Design Institute America
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of whimsical steel chairs with brushed finish and cushioned seat by Design Institute of America DIA, 1993. Seat is as is and will need new upholstery.
Steel
$1,136 / item
H 32.29 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Shell Dining Chair, Linen Schwarzwald by Dedar, Vintola Studio
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile dining seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vi...
Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Beech
1950s Walnut Slat Bench
By Mel Smilow
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Well engineered walnut hardwood slat bench by Mel Smilow. Stained and well loved by its original owner. Presented in as-found, unrestored condition. W 60 x D 18 x H 14 in
Walnut
Metamorphic Chair Regency Shield Back Library Ladder
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Absolutely unique Regency style shield back arm chair library step combo - a metamorphic chair Wow - have you seen any thing like this? Great space saving piece with double purpose P...
Wood
$1,013Sale Price / set|14% Off
H 33.08 in W 17.13 in D 21.07 in
4 Contemporary Studio Tecnico Interna8 2x Chairs Wood Fabric
By Interna8
Located in Pordenone, IT
Chair in solid beech wood. Seat with webbing and plywood frame padded with elastic expanded polyurethane. This listing is for 2 chairs.
Wood