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.
Modern M4 Credenza by John Eric Byers in Blackened Maple & Brass
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
M4 Credenza sculpted by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 81.3 x 274.3 x 45.7 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple, brass All works are...
Brass
$44,760 / item
Credenza Sculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
M1 Credenza sculpted by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 66 x 195.6 x 45.7 cm Materials: Carved blackened maple, brass All works are ...
Brass
$25,577 / item
V2 Cabinet Sculpted by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
V2 cabinet sculpted by John Eric Byers Dimensions: 106.7 x 91.5 x 45.7 cm Materials: carved blackened maple and brass All works are individually handma...
Brass
Reform Hammered Brass Credenza
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
The Reform credenza is inspired by the Brutalist architecture of modernist temples and churches from Le Corbusier's Ronchamp to Miami's Temple Israel t...
Brass
$11,378 / item
H 32.68 in W 100.4 in D 15.75 in
"Il Pezzo 1 Credenza" sideboard in solid walnut - marble top - brass base
By Il Pezzo Mancante
Located in Firenze, IT
An alternation of rounded shapes and geometrical lines, reassuming discipline and freedom, a composite, multiethnic plan in which each component and each material contributes to the ...
Marble, Gold, Brass
Regency Mahogany Credenza
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine Regency style mahogany veneered and yew burl banded buffet, the break bowfront top with an ebony and brass inlaid edge, above an arrangement of four frieze drawers above centr...
Wood
Credenza in Parchment and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$9,950
H 31 in W 48 in D 20 in
Sleek Restored Vintage Modern Credenza in Walnut by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning example of a rare multipurpose case piece by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s. Expertly crafted walnut case construction with elegant lines and detail. Wo...
Walnut
$42,000
H 32.7 in W 102.4 in D 18.5 in
Brazilian Modern Rosewood Credenza with Sculptural Drawers, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jean Gillon during the height of the Brazilian Modern movement, this monumental credenza embodies the architectural sophistication, material richness, and sculptural rest...
Brass
Delphine Mirrored Credenza
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Reflectology. Minimalist forms meet Maximalist glamour. Antiqued mirror with a polished brass base. Two double-door compartments open to reveal a bright robin's egg blue interior fitted with two adjustable shelves. Quatrefoil handles and escutcheons add a decorative flourish to the simple form. Use our reflective Delphine credenza...
Brass
Majorelle Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Majorelle cabinet, available in NY, signed.
Mahogany, Rosewood
$29,654 / item
H 40 in W 87 in D 21.5 in
Collector's Charred Pine, Bronze Clad Wall Hanging Credenza By Amuneal
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Collector's Charred Pine Bronze Clad Wall Hanging Credenza is supported by our traditional collector’s shelving hardware in a warm bras...
Brass, Bronze
$29,065
H 43.31 in W 63 in D 19.69 in
Modern Italian Credenza "Espresso Love" in Maple & Walnut by Ivan Paradisi
By Ivan Paradisi
Located in Turin, IT
The "Espresso Love" is a modern Italian credenza in maple and walnut, handcrafted by designer Ivan Paradisi — a sculptural storage piece that pays tribute to Italy's culinary traditi...
Brass
$16,000
H 31 in W 99 in D 19 in
Brazilian Modern Credenza in Caviúna Hardwood by Forma, Brazilian Modern, 1960s
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This refined Brazilian Modern credenza was produced in the 1960s by Forma, a leading manufacturer associated with the maturation of modern furniture production in Brazil. Executed en...
Hardwood
English Regency Breakfront Credenza
Located in Westwood, NJ
English Regency style breakfront credenza with feathered Paldoa veneers, a breakfront with a reeded edge top, with four recessed panel doors e...
Wood