Playful, sculptural, unexpected: Illustrious designer and decorator John Dickinson created interiors, lighting fixtures, seating and other furnishings that were wholly peculiar and unlike anything seen before. The Berkeley, California, native mined design movements of bygone eras for elements he would later integrate into what would become his signature anthropomorphic work.
Dickinson was inspired by Art Deco designers such as Jean-Michel Frank, who similarly drew on the past for his extravagant pieces, and found appeal in the claw-foot tables and seating that Georgian-era furniture makers produced.
Although Dickinson attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, he returned to the West Coast following graduation. He worked for decorating firms and furniture stores, and, in 1956, he set up his own practice in San Francisco, where he reinterpreted heritage in his sculptural lamps, stools and chairs with legs that terminate in hooves or resemble bones and tree branches.
Dickinson’s spare but sophisticated furniture is often associated with a “golden age” of San Francisco decorating that includes the work of designers Charles Pfister and Michael Taylor. Wider recognition over the years owes to collectors’ interest and exhibits such as “Fantasy and Function: The Furniture of John Dickinson,” which opened at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2003.
Despite his irreverent approach, Dickinson’s pieces were luxury items. He crafted lamps of unpolished brass and tables in chalky white plaster with a resin coating. His most iconic works are his Etruscan tables with legs resembling hooved animal feet and his Three-Legged African table, which was inspired by an artifact he discovered in an import shop. Dickinson took on only handpicked, young, well-to-do clients who were willing to give him free rein to experiment with these unusual forms and industrial materials. Leading department stores like Lord & Taylor, however, were also among his clientele. In 1977, Dickinson was commissioned to design a furniture collection for Macy’s. It featured white lacquered bookcases that drew on urban architecture and table lamps with bodies that mimicked animal bones.
Owing to his untimely death, and the fact that he worked in plaster, a highly breakable material, few of Dickinson’s original pieces exist to this day. Their scarcity renders every remaining Dickinson design a valuable heirloom guaranteed to make a statement in any room.
Find vintage John Dickinson furniture on 1stDibs.
John Dickinson Unique Director's Chair from the Firehouse, San Francisco 1975c.
By John Dickinson
Located in Chicago, IL
John Dickinson Unique Director's Chair from the Firehouse, San Francisco 1975c. This distinctive Director's Chair by John Dickinson showcases the artist's unique approach to design....
Steel
Thebes Lounge Chairs by Randolph & Hein for Steve Chase
By Randolph & Hein, John Dickinson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of 1985 'Thebes Club Chairs' designed by John Dickinson for Randolph & Hein. This were special order by Steve Chase with the light desert crackle finish. The cushions have b...
Fabric, Wood
Cognac Leather Director's Chair
By Dario Alfonsi
Located in Milan, IT
Dark hues of vegetable-tanned leather and a beechwood frame finished with an ash wood varnish. Hand-sewn and assembled in Rome by Dario Alfonsi, this iconic collapsible chair...
Leather, Beech
Black Leather Director's Chair
By Dario Alfonsi
Located in Milan, IT
Natural hues of vegetable-tanned black leather and a beechwood frame finished with an ashwood varnish. Hand-sewn and assembled in Rome by Dario Alfonsi, this high version of the iconic collapsible...
Leather, Beech
$32,500 / set
H 32 in W 25.25 in D 31 in
Majestic Pair of Thebes Loungers by John Hutton for Randolph & Hein, circa 1975
By Randolph & Hein, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert...
Mahogany
Pair of armchairs, McGuire San Francisco 1970
By McGuire
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of armchairs McGuire San Francisco 1970 Product details Made of wood and fabric, with leather bindings. Dimensions: 63w x 78h x72d cm Production: McGuire, San Francisco 1970.
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Pair of Thomas Pheasant for Baker Max Tufted Club Chairs
By Baker Furniture Company, Thomas Pheasant
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Hollywood modern pair of large max club chairs or lounge chairs designed by Thomas Pheasant for Baker. The chairs feature a large hardwood frame with slightly different but complemen...
Brass
$2,450 / set
H 33 in W 23 in D 24.5 in
1970s Vintage Milo Baughman Director's Chairs, Salmon Chenille & Brass
By Milo Baughman
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage pair of director's chairs in salmon chenille with a brass x-base frame and wooden arm rests attributed to Milo Baughman. Retain original label. Please contact Select Moder...
Brass
$281Sale Price|25% Off
H 35 in W 20 in D 22 in
In Stock in Los Angeles, Calipso Red/White Outdoor Director's Chair
By Giovanni Battista Crema
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Calipso red/white outdoor director's armchair In Stock in Los Angeles Folding red/white aluminum outdoor chair in aluminium, finished in white powder coating. Anodized aluminum frame, stainless steel nuts and bolts...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
$1,500Sale Price|55% Off
H 27 in W 41 in D 39 in
'Bounty' Leather Club Chair by L. Davanzati for The Pace Collection, 1980s
By Pace Collection, Lorenzo Forges Davanzati, Elam
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely example of the 'Bounty' series club chair by The Pace Collection in the early 1980s, this deep seated channel-tufted leather lounge chair was designed by L. Davantazi produced by Elam and retailed by The Pace Collection. Perfect for a cigar, whiskey or wine lounge or any space that can use something a bit modern yet still refined and classy. *Note, we have the matching loveseat / settee and three-seat sofa in another listing. Last two photos show the entire set. See our other listings or contact us for more details if you wish to create a living room or office / hotel lobby set. This channel-tufted leather club chair retains its original supple leather upholstery in an intriguing deep burgundy-brown color, almost like dark-cognac with beautiful lightly aged leather patina. The sumptuous seats are encased in a dark colored lacquer, providing an attractive modern contrast with the rich and elegant leather. This lounge chair has casters for ease of relocation according to occasion and mood or to better suit a view. The back is finished with tufted leather making this easy chair look incredible when floating in a room with the back exposed. Curved Art Deco styled arms lend 1980s juxtaposition and character to any room. Similar in style to the Saratoga chair...
Leather, Lacquer
Handsome Mahogany and Leather Director’s Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome set of 4 director’s style leather and mahogany arm chairs. Chairs 36” H x 22” D x 25” W Seat: 16” H x 18” D Arm: 26” H
Leather, Mahogany
Beige Leather Director's Chair
By Dario Alfonsi
Located in Milan, IT
Natural hues of vegetable-tanned leather and a beechwood frame finished with an ash wood varnish. Hand-sewn and assembled in Rome by Dario Alfonsi, this iconic collapsible chair...
Leather, Beech
Vintage McGuire Rattan Lounge Armchair, San Francisco, California
By McGuire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage rattan armchair was designed and manufactured in San Francisco, California by McGuire, one of the most respected names in high-end rattan and organic modern furniture. T...
Fabric, Rattan
Set of 2 light wood director’s chairs, 1960
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 2 unique light wood director’s chairs, 1960
Wood
Vintage Boho John Dickinson White Leather Bergere Chairs - a Pair
By John Dickinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular pair of vintage Boho Bergere chairs. Made by the iconic John Dickinson group and tagged on the seat. Chic white leather with the most amazing patina from time. Hand carved wooden frame...
Leather
Rare 1970's Custom Designed John Dickinson Sofa
By John Dickinson
Located in New York, NY
Stunning custom designed sofa by John Dickinson Newly reupholstered in a luxurious fabric.
Upholstery
African Stools In The Style Of John Dickinson
By John Dickinson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A fine and highly original three-legged African stool or end table made of painted fiberglass.
The Etruscan Chair by John Dickinson, USA, ca. 1975-1979
By John Dickinson
Located in New York, NY
John Dickinson's legendary Etruscan Chair is newly upholstered in parchment leather with wooden legs in an ivory craquelure finish. This is Dickinson's ...
John Dickinson Pair of Benches
By John Dickinson
Located in New York, NY
JOHN DICKINSON (1920-1982) Pair of benches wrapped in ivory raw silk fabric with loose suede seat cushion. American, c. 1968 PROVENANCE Residence of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Magnin, ...
Wood, Upholstery, Suede, Silk