Inspired by pure geometrical forms — circles, rectangles, squares, cylinders and spheres — John Eric Byers’s furniture is deceptively simple. A closer inspection, however, shows that behind each coffee table, bench and chair there is great care and meticulous attention to detail. It is little wonder why the woodworker is considered to be among the foremost figures of the modern American Studio movement.
Born in Rochester, New York, in 1959, Byers trained in the workshop of Wendell Castle, “the father of the art furniture movement.” The renowned American sculptor greatly influenced Byers, and the New York native found inspiration in the work of other artist-designers while in Castle’s workshop such as Donald Judd and British ceramicist Hans Coper.
Following his studies under Castle, Byers established a studio and workshop in Newfield, New York. There, he uses a variety of specialized techniques in the design of his furniture, including wood milling, lamination, hand-shaping, hand-tooling and finishing, often with casein milk paint, which is believed to have been used in ancient Egypt.
Byers’s side tables, stools, sideboards, credenzas and other pieces are sculpted by hand in his preferred material — hard, blackened maple. Each design demonstrates his keen focus on detailed surface texture and structure.
Byers’s works have not gone unnoticed over the course of his decades-long career. He has won multiple awards, such as the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award and the New York Foundation of the Arts Award. He has been included in the Smithsonian’s Oral Archives of American Arts as well.
Byers’s pieces feature in permanent collections at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Mint Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.
Find vintage John Eric Byers tables, seating, case pieces and storage cabinets.
$11,000
John Eric Byers, "C4", Chair
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid maple chair from John Eric Byers merges modern, simplified geometries with traditional craft, painstakingly hand carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern t...
Maple
$21,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "Loft Bench for Three"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elevated bench from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-sawn and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a soph...
Maple
Carved, Blackened and Maple Loft Stool by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Carved, Blackened and Maple Loft Stool by John Eric Byers Dimensions: W 61 x D 37 x H 46 cm. Materials: Carved, Blackened and Maple. John Eric Byers creates geometrically inspired p...
Maple
$36,306 / item
Drum Bench for 3 by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Drum bench for 3 by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D41 x W122 x H41 cm Materials: carved + blackened + maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byers creates geom...
Other
$49,273 / item
Drum Bench for 4 by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Drum bench for 4 by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D41 x W163 x H41 cm Materials: carved + blackened + maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byers create...
Other
$25,933 / set
Set of 2 Round Revert Table by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 square revert table by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 20" x 16" dia Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade t...
Maple
$27,230 / item
Maple Loft Bench for Three by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple loft bench for three by John Eric Byers. Dimensions: 45.7 x 172.7 x 36.8 cm. Materials: carved blackened maple. All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric ...
Maple
$25,933 / item
Set of 2 Pillar Table by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 pillar table by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 50.8 x 50.8 x 35.5 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byers cre...
Maple
$12,966 / item
Drum Stool by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Drum stool by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D51 x H38 cm Materials: carved + blackened + maple All works are individually handmade to order. John...
Other
$23,340 / item
Maple Loft Bench for Two by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple loft bench for two by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 45.7 x 114.3 x 36.8 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade...
Maple
$15,560 / item
C4 Chair Handsculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
C4 chair by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 63.5 x 58.5 x 45.7 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byers creates geometri...
Maple
$16,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "OS4V", Bench
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oro, a new series by John Eric Byers, marks the artist’s 30th solo exhibition. An elegant balance of contrasts takes form in these visually stunning works. Blocks of wood are meticul...
Gold
John Eric Byers, "Reveal", Bench, 2022
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid maple piece from John Eric Byers merges modern, simplified geometries with traditional craft, painstakingly hand carved and lacquered with a...
Maple
$9,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "OS2V", Stool
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oro, a new series by John Eric Byers, marks the artist’s 30th solo exhibition. An elegant balance of contrasts takes form in these visually stunning works. Blocks of wood are meticul...
Gold
$18,000 / set
John Eric Byers, "Block", Stools
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Block Stools are listed here as a set. Each design is also available for purchase separately at $8,000. This monolithic piece from John Eric Byers...
Maple
$11,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "C2", Chair
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid maple chair from John Eric Byers merges modern, simplified geometries with traditional craft, painstakingly hand carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern t...
Maple
Carved, Blackened and Maple Loft Bench Revised by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Carved, Blackened and Maple Loft Bench Revised by John Eric Byers Dimensions: W 183 x D 38 x H 46 cm. Materials: Carved, Blackened and Maple. John Eric Byers creates geometrically i...
Maple
$31,120 / item
Carved and Black Oak T5 Bench by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Carved and Black Oak T5 Bench by John Eric Byers Dimensions: W 142 x D 51 x H 36 cm. Materials: Carved, Blackened, White oak. John Eric Byers creates geometrically inspired pieces t...
Oak
$23,340 / item
Maple Block Bench for Two by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple block bench for two by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 43 x 101.6 x 35.5 cm Materials: carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to...
Maple
$15,560 / item
C2 Chair Hand-Sculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
C2 chair by John Eric Byers. Dimensions: 49.5 x 45.8 x 77.5 cm Materials: carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Er...
Maple
$28,526 / item
Maple Block Bench for Three by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Maple block bench for three by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 43 x 101.6 x 35.5 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade ...
Maple
$12,966 / item
Pillar Table by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Pillar table by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 50.8 x 50.8 x 35.5 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byers creates geom...
Maple
$15,560 / item
C3 Chair Hand-Sculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
C3 chair by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 49.5 x 45.8 x 77.5 cm Materials: carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to order. John Er...
Maple
$15,560 / item
C1 Chair Handsculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
C1 chair by John Eric Byers. Dimensions: 49.5 x 45.8 x 77.5 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually handmade to order. John E...
Maple
$14,263 / item
ORO-OS1 Stool by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
ORO - OS1 stool by John Eric Byers ORO collection Dimensions: 38 x 38 x 51 cm Materials: maple hardwood + gold metallic lacquer Hand shaped + hand textured + hollow core stacke...
Maple
$14,263 / item
ORO, OS2 Stool by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
ORO - OS1 stool by John Eric Byers ORO Collection Dimensions: W 38 x D 51 x H 38cm Materials: maple hardwood + gold metallic lacquer hand shaped + hand textured + hollow core ...
Maple
$28,526 / item
Reveal Bench Sculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Reveal bench sculpted by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 16” x 54” x 14 in Materials: Carved lacquered maple hardwood All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Byer...
Maple
$18,153 / item
ORO, OS3 Bench by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
ORO - OS3 bench by John Eric Byers ORO collection Dimensions: W 76 x D 38 x H 38 cm Materials: maple hardwood + gold metallic lacquer Hand shaped + hand textured + hollow core...
Maple
$25,933 / set
Set of 2 Square Revert Table by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 square revert table by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 50.8 x diameter 40.6 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple All works are individually ...
Maple
$14,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "Os3", Bench
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oro, a new series by John Eric Byers, marks the artist’s 30th solo exhibition. An elegant balance of contrasts takes form in these visually stunning works. Blocks of wood are meticul...
Gold
$9,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "OS1", Stool
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oro, a new series by John Eric Byers, marks the artist’s 30th solo exhibition. An elegant balance of contrasts takes form in these visually stunning works. Blocks of wood are meticul...
Gold
$11,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "C1", Chair
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid maple chair from John Eric Byers merges modern, simplified geometries with traditional craft, painstakingly hand carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern t...
Maple
$11,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "C3", Chair
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid maple chair from John Eric Byers merges modern, simplified geometries with traditional craft, painstakingly hand carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern t...
Maple
John Eric Byers, "Block Bench for Three"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This monolithic piece from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a ...
Maple
$18,000 / item
John, Eric Byers, "Block Bench for Two"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This monolithic piece from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a sophisticated finish to a simplified silhouette. Available as a bench for two...
Maple
$18,000 / set
John Eric Byers, "Round Revert", Tables or Stools
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Round Revert Stool or Tables are listed here as a set. Each design is also available for purchase separately at $8,000. This solid maple piece from John Eric Byers merges mode...
Maple
$18,000 / set
John Eric Byers, "Square Revert", Tables or Stools
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Square Revert Stool or Tables are listed here as a set. Each design is also available for purchase separately at $8,000. This solid maple piece from John Eric Byers merges mod...
Maple
$18,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "Loft Bench for Two"
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elevated bench from John Eric Byers merges bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-sawn and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a soph...
Maple
$9,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "Drum", Stool
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stool from John Eric Byers merges modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-carved and lacquered with a distinctive textured patt...
Maple