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.
$26,043 / 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
$11,000 / 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
$26,043 / 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
$26,043 / 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
$13,021 / 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
$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
$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
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
$13,021 / 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
$14,323 / 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
$14,323 / 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
$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
$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
Kurt-Eric Blücker, Stool, Birch, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch stool designed and produced Kurt-Eric Blücker, Munkedal, Sweden, 1970s. Seat height 16.75”.
Birch
From $1,470 / item
+ 1 moreH 18.51 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
e15 Backenzahn Side Table by Philipp Mainzer
By Philipp Mainzer, e15
Located in New York, NY
The original Backenzahn designed in 1996 by e15 founder and architect Philipp Mainzer is a modern design classic as well as an identifiable icon for e15. Crafted in Germany, the stoo...
Wood
Oak Round Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in white oak with round top. With a clean and minimal design, these stools are handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joinery in Material's...
Oak
SHAKER Backless Stool by AMBROZIA // LEATHER
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, QC
The SHAKER Backless Stool Leather is part of AMBROZIA's signature seating family, thoughtfully designed for residential, hospitality and commercial interiors. Defined by its refined...
Steel
Gervasoni Brise 43 Coffee Table by Federica Biase
By Gervasoni, Federica Biasi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Outdoor conviviality is the key of one of the collections by Federica Biasi. Brise, literally breeze, aims at taking us back to that pleasant sensation when a breeze makes the summer...
Concrete
Walnut Round Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in stunning hand oiled Oregon Black Walnut. With a clean and minimal design, these stools are handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joiner...
Walnut
$733
H 16.93 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Vivai del Sud Square Side Table in Bamboo, Wicker and Rattan, Italy, 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Roma, IT
orgeous mid-century small square side table in bamboo, rattan, and hand-woven wicker. This stylish organic table was produced in Italy during the 1970s by Vivai del Sud. In fabulous...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Oak Square Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in white oak with square top. With a clean and minimal design, these stools are handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joinery in Material'...
Oak
Sculptural Round Side Table Solid Mango Wood
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round side table or stool. Its neutral pigment makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely sculptural and versatile...
Wood, Fruitwood
Gervasoni Brise 44 Coffee Table by Federica Biase
By Federica Biasi, Gervasoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Outdoor conviviality is the key of one of the collections by Federica Biasi. Brise, literally breeze, aims at taking us back to that pleasant sensation when a breeze makes the summer...
Concrete
e15 Backenzahn Stool by Philipp Mainzer
By Philipp Mainzer, e15
Located in New York, NY
The original Backenzahn designed in 1996 by e15 founder and architect Philipp Mainzer is a modern design classic as well as an identifiable icon for e15. Crafted in Germany, the stoo...
Wood
$1,050Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 18 in W 16 in D 14 in
Pair of Oak & Rattan Side Tables / Stools by McGuire Furniture Co.
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of oak and rattan side tables / stools by McGuire Furniture Co. of San Francisco, circa 1970s. These tables are difficult to find and are in very good vintage condition. ...
Leather, Rattan, Oak