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.
$27,972 / 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
$15,257 / 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
$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
$22,886 / 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
$26,701 / 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
Post-Modern Carved Maple 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
$15,257 / 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
$35,601 / 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
$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
$22,886 / 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
$15,257 / 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
$15,257 / 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
$12,714 / 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
$15,000 / 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
Sculpted Chair N3 in Solid Oak Wood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Chair made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Dimensions: H. 82 x 48 x 48 cm (SH 45 cm) Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Sim...
Oak
From $13,250 / item
+ 2 moreH 29.53 in W 64.97 in D 22.45 in
e15 Tafel Table Bench by Hans De Pelsmacker
By e15, Hans De Pelsmacker
Located in New York, NY
The table bench tafel draws special interest with its sculptural, functional appeal. Tafel is included in various museum collections. The combination of table and bench creates a uni...
Wood
Two Seat Low Bench for John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Dallas, TX
This low bench for John Stuart has been professional refinished and reupholstered in a Anne Kirk linen wool blend. The piece is unmarked.
Wool, Linen, Teak
Lovely Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat Bench by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely Mid-Century Modern two-seat bench. Black painted wood frame with black upholstered seats by John Stuart. We do have a two of these if you need a pair.
Upholstery, Wood
$4,380 / set
H 35.04 in W 18.12 in D 20.08 in
Set of Six Willy Rizzo C2 Leather and Chrome Dining Chairs for Cidue, Italy
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of six original C2 dining chairs designed by Willy Rizzo for Cidue, Italy, in the 1970s. The chairs feature sculptural cantilever frames in chrome-plated steel combined with ori...
Chrome
John Keal for Brown Saltman Two-Tone Slat Bench
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features a mix of mahogany and beech wood that offers texture and depth with varying wood tones. Perfect...
Beech, Mahogany
e15 Calle Wood Bench by Philipp Mainzer
By e15, Philipp Mainzer
Located in New York, NY
The solid wood bench Calle consists of a contoured seat, two sides flushed with the seat and a support beam underneath. The top surface tapers toward the middle to allow comfortable ...
Wood
e15 Taro Wood Bench by Philipp Mainzer
By Philipp Mainzer, e15
Located in New York, NY
The sides of bench Taro are pushed slightly inward to enhance stability, therefore this bench can be offered in a standard length of up to 3600 MM (141 3/4 inch). The wood is 40 MM (...
Wood
Charlotte Perriand Pine Bench for Les Arcs, 1970s France
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic pine 3 seater bench designed by Charlotte Perriand for the Les Arcs Ski Resort in France. A beautiful example of iconic Perriand design. Pine was the wood of choice for much ...
Pine
$12,000
H 14.25 in W 85.5 in D 14 in
Monumental Charlotte Perriand Pine Storage Bench for Les Arcs, 1960s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pine storage bench designed by Charlotte Perriand for the Les Arcs Ski Resort in France. Just over 7 feet long. Presently the only one of its kind for sale. Perfect patina to th...
Pine
$7,647Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 21.66 in
Upholstered Sculpted Dining Chairs with Tubular Frame, European Modern, Set of 8
Located in New York, NY
This minimalist dining chair combines clean, modern design with everyday comfort. The fully upholstered form creates a seamless, refined look that integrates easily into a range of c...
Wood, Upholstery
$2,500 / item
H 25 in W 20 in D 60 in
Modern Solid Argentine Rosewood Outdoor Bench by Costantini, Serrano
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Part of the Serrano family, this solid wood bench gives a nod to the master artist and designer Donald Judd. Shown here in Argentine Rosewood but av...
Wood
