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.
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
$4,900 / item
David N Ebner's Dining Room or Desk Chair
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
American Studio Craft artist David N Ebner's dining room chair in the Danish modern Style shown in walnut and curly maple. Holly Hunt fabric on seat. Cr...
Maple, Walnut
$1,999 / item
H 32 in W 25 in D 21 in
Teak and Oatmeal Upholstered Dining or Desk Chair, Curved Backrest - Bone Line
Located in Miami, FL
Sleek, sculptural, and built for comfort, the Bone dining or desk chair by Uultis highlights the natural warmth of teak wood paired with soft oatmeal upholstery. Crafted from sustain...
Teak, Fabric, Upholstery
$975
H 37.88 in W 23.88 in D 21 in
Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan or Wicker Arm Desk, Dining or Occasional Chair
By McGuire, Barbara Barry
Located in St. Louis, MO
Barbara Barry designed for McGuire Furniture of San Francisco. Dark stained Rattan dining chair, can be used as a desk chair or Occasional chair. All original, light touch up. Label.
Rattan
David Rosén, Dining Room Chairs, Wood, Velvet, Sweden, 1960s
By Nordiska Kompaniet, David Rosén
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 8 wood and green yellow velvet dining room chairs, model Bangkok, designed by David Rosén and produced by Nordiska Kompaniet, Sweden, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and...
Velvet, Wood
Galle Dining Room Chairs
By Émile Gallé
Located in Bridgewater, CT
6 Emile Galle dining room chairs, signed. Measures: Depth 17" x Width 17" x Height 38" x Seat Height 18" Caning need to be redone.
Wood
Ole Wanscher mahogany desk or dining chair with arms
By Ole Wanscher
Located in London, GB
This chair is a lovely example of Ole Wanscher dining chair with arms was presumably made by Fritz Hansen during the 1970s and reupholstered in wool Boucle. The frame is most likely ...
Hardwood
4 Brutalist Oak Dining Wabi Sabi Room Chairs
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Introducing the "Wabi Sabi Oak Chairs" - a set of four robust and heavy oak chairs, inspired by the design ethos of the 70s and perfectly suited to complement the styles of renowned ...
Oak
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
$1,163 / 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
Paul McCobb Spindle Back Dining or Desk Chair for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Paul McCobb for Planner Group dining chairs refinished in dark espresso finish.
Birch
$3,797Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42.13 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Lucite Dining Chairs by Charles Hollis Jones, 1970s American
By Charles Hollis Jones, Belgo Chrome
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Set of Four Charles Hollis Jones lucite Dining Chairs By The Esteemed American Modernist Designer Named "The Godfather Of l...
Stainless Steel
Dos Gallos Custom Upholstered Dining or Desk Chair
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom classic continental style suitable for dining or as a desk chair. Can work in Spanish, English, classic, farm house or modern interiors, depending on finish and fabric. For pl...
Walnut
Dining Room Chairs by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
These dining chairs, designed by the renowned Adrian Pearsall, epitomize mid-century modern elegance. Each chair features freshly upholstered seats and backs in a sophisticated gray ...
Upholstery, Wood