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.
$26,053 / item
V3 Cabinet by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
V3 cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D56 x W41 x H163 cm Materials: carved + blackened + maple + brass All works are individually handmade to order...
Brass, Other
$28,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "V4", Cabinet
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These cabinets merge bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-sawn and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a sophisticated finish to a simpl...
Brass
$20,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "V2", Cabinet
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These cabinets merge bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-sawn and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a sophisticated finish to a simpl...
Brass
$39,080 / item
M2 Credenza Cabinet by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
M2 credenza cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D 71 x W 132 x H 46 cm Materials: carved + blackened + maple + brass All works are individually han...
Brass, Other
Two Tier Credenza Cabinet by John Eric Byers, Maple & Brass, USA
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
Two Tier Credenza Cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D41 x W167 x H87 cm Materials: carved + blackened + maple + brass All works are individuall...
Brass, Other
$26,053 / 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
12 Cubes Cabinet by John Eric Byers, Maple and Brass, Post-Modern
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
12 Cubes cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D 150 x W 38 x H 122 cm Materials: sawn + blackened + maple + brass All works are individually handmade t...
Brass, Other
$39,080 / item
6 Cubes Cabinet by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
6 cubes cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D76 x W38 x H165 cm Materials: sawn + whitened + maple + brass All works are individually handmade to ...
Brass, Other
$45,594 / item
9 Cubes Cabinet by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
9 Cubes Cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D115 x W38 x H115 cm Materials: sawn + blackened + maple + ash All works are individually handmade to orde...
Other
$45,594 / item
8 Cubes Cabinet by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
8 cubes cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D76 x W38 x H158 cm Materials: sawn + maple + ash All works are individually handmade to order. Joh...
Other
$20,000 / item
John Eric Byers, "V3", Cabinet
By John Eric Byers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These cabinets merge bold, modern geometries with traditional craft. The wood is hand-sawn and lacquered with a distinctive textured pattern to give a sophisticated finish to a simpl...
Brass
$45,594 / item
9 Rectangles Cabinet by John Eric Byers
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
9 Rectangles cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D115 x W38 x H165 cm Materials: sawn + blackened + maple + ash All works are individually handmade to order. John Eric Bye...
Other
16 Cubes Cabinet by John Eric Byers, Handmade Maple & Ash, USA
By John Eric Byers
Located in Geneve, CH
16 Cubes cabinet by John Eric Byers Dimensions: D150 x W38 x H165 cm Materials: sawn + blackened + maple + ash All works are individually handmade to...
Other
Multi-Function Cabinet Designed by John Kapel
By Glenn of California, John Kapel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Super vintage single door cabinet with inside magazine rack, shelf, and pull out formica tray table. Designed by John Kapel and manufactured by Gle...
Wood
$12,500
H 76 in W 47.5 in D 13.3 in
Antique Metal Cabinet Case by Strafor, Industrial Design, Circa 1920
By Strafor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
One of a kind metal cabinet case with thirty slots, originating from the industrial revolution, in great functioning condition with original patina. Features original metal emblem of manufacturer "Strafor-forges de...
Metal, Steel
Pair of Cabinets by Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of cabinets by Charles Dudouyt. Located in NY.
Oak
Elegant Mahogany Cabinet by Renzo Rutili in Black Lacquer
By Renzo Rutili, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Renzo Rutili was a seminal furniture designer of the 20th century who is sometimes overlooked in retrospect. Much of his work is as sophisticated, cutting edge and downright fabulous...
Brass
$10,066Sale Price|20% Off
H 70.87 in W 40.95 in D 14.18 in
Cabinet by Willy Van der Meeren & Eric Lemesre for Tubax, 1950's
By Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in Antwerp, BE
Willy Van der Meeren; Eric Lemesre; Tubax; Cabinet; Belgian Design; Mid-Century Modern; Patina; Wood; Metal; Belgium; 1950's; An early example of Industrial Design from the Belgium modernist stream, designed by Willy Van Der Meeren & Eric Lemesre for Tubax. On the left, wooden shelves are covered by a red metal door, on the right a large grey metal door opens up to a big open space. The coloured metal sliding doors...
Metal
John Widdicomb Bonnet Top Cabinet
By John Widdicomb
Located in North Canton, OH
Very Rare John Widdicomb Bonnet top cabinet with glass shelving. Beautiful hand painted details, intricate brass grating and hand carvings. Original...
Paint
Majorelle Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Majorelle cabinet, available in NY, signed.
Mahogany, Rosewood
$19,500
H 32 in W 56 in D 19 in
Exceptional Mahogany Cabinet by Bert England for Widdicomb, circa 1965
By John Widdicomb
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent cabinet is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready A s...
Brass
A Fine French Art Deco Silverware Cabinet by Christian Krass
By Christian Krass
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine French 1930's amaranth silverware cabinet / buffet by Christian Krass with an insert marble top and chrome details. Base is blackened pear wo...
Mahogany
Shale 108" Low Credenza by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Both monumental and subtle, the Shale Credenza brings the intricacies of nature’s geology indoors. The wood doors are scored vertically across the grain...
Ash
Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Side Cabinet by Mercier Frères
By Mercier Freres
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze mounted mahogany side cabinet by Mercier Frères French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 98cm, width 132.5cm, depth 55cm This super...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Monumental Danish Rosewood Credenza / Bar Cabinet
By Gunni Omann
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic solid rosewood credenza manufactured by Omann Jun of Denmark in the late 1950s. This particular piece in amazing original condition with...
Birch, Rosewood