Industrial designer Nicos Zographos is renowned as a mid-century modern master. His abstract structures and minimalist forms helped elevate 20th-century furniture design.
Born in Athens, Greece, in 1931, Zographos completed his graduate degree at the University of Iowa before joining the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1957.
He worked in SOM’s interior design department, where he enjoyed unlimited creative freedom, resulting in the design of two critically acclaimed pieces. The fluid Ribbon chair, which he created in 1959, is an interpretation of the Barcelona chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The Alpha bucket chair, featuring Zographos’s signature reverse curl, was designed in 1960. Also while at SOM, Zographos developed a suite of TA35 low tables, which have gentle curves and slim stainless steel legs.
Zographos spent five years at SOM before he formed his own company, Zographos Designs Limited, in 1964. The New York-based firm manufactured elegant, polished and streamlined pieces such as lounge chairs, office chairs, side tables, coffee tables and dining room tables. Several of his furnishings have been included in interiors by such revered architects as Gordon Bunshaft and I.M. Pei.
Among Zographos’s most iconic designs are the wood-carved Ireland chair, the wooden Saronis tables and his two tubular-steel cantilevered chairs: the solid CH17 chair and the CH66 chair, which he designed in 1966. It is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Zographos has retired to his native Greece, and Zographos Designs Limited recently closed after 56 years in business. His pieces continue to be highly sought by interior designers and avid vintage furniture collectors.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Nicos Zographos seating and tables.
1976 Nicos Zographos Saronis Leather & Oak Sofa from Hugh Stubbins Library
By Nicos Zographos, Zographos Designs Ltd.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a leather and oak Nicos Zographos Saronis sofa from 1976, which came directly from a Hugh Stubbins (Architect) designed library at a notable ivy-league institution...
Leather, Oak
$3,250
H 28.75 in W 28 in D 28.25 in
Nicos Zographos Leather and Chrome Lounge Chair Mid Century Modern CH28 Mies
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sleek Black Leather and Chrome Lounge Chair, designed by Nicos Zographos, American, circa 1960s. Similar in design to the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, but much mor...
Metal, Chrome
Bronze and Leather Daybed or Bench by Nicos Zographos
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bronze and caramel color leather daybed or bench, designed by Nicos Zographos, American, circa 1960s. Retains warm original patina to the bronze.
Metal, Bronze
$7,800 / set
H 30.88 in W 19 in D 21.38 in
Rare Set of 8 Mid Century Modern “CH66" Dining Chairs by Nicos Zographos
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Shippensburg, PA
SET OF EIGHT DOUBLE-CANTILEVER BLACK LEATHER "CH66" DINING CHAIR BY NICOS ZOGRAPHOS United States, circa 1970s Item # 307GYP27X A rare set of eight "CH66" dining chairs by Nicos Zog...
Steel, Chrome
$20,722 / set
H 31.3 in W 54.73 in D 30.12 in
Antique Restored Brown Leather Chesterfield Library Armchairs Sofa Stool Suite
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, Victorian circa 1880 fully restored Chesterfield Whisky brown leather Library suite. A very rare find, I never come across original sets of four pieces from this era and especially not the fully buttoned sets. We have restored the suite and it is in better than retail new condition throughout. The set is actually quite rare size wise, the armchairs are much wider than normal and happy accommodate the larger of us, the sofa is a real sweet heart size and looks amazing. This is the finest set of this type you will find anywhere, its true library set...
Leather
Scandinavian Sofa in Oak and Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, oak, leather, Scandinavia, 1950s This three-seater sofa beautifully reflects the stylistic traits of Scandinavian Modern Design. The base and backrest are pure and clear in th...
Leather, Oak
Nicos Zographos Museum Bench with Bronze Base
By Nicos Zographos
Located in St. Louis, MO
Leather tufted museum bench by Nicos Zographos with bronze base, circa 1965. Leather shows wear but no holes, bronze has patina. Label. Midcentury, Floren...
Bronze
Vintage Nicos Zographos Bucket Chair
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage bucket chair designed by Nicos Zographos and made by Zographos. High back design in black Zographos leather with five-star stainless ste...
Stainless Steel
Nicos Zographos Attributed Swivel Winged Armchair
By Nicos Zographos
Located in North Miami, FL
This is the most comfortable swivel armchair with a heavy steel "X" base and newly upholstered in neutral gray soft textured chenille fabric. Attributed to Nicos Zographos design. T...
Steel
Nicos Zographos Daybed, Leather and Steel
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Chicago, IL
Nicos Zographos Monumental Gallery Bench, Leather and Steel. Original black leather rests on polished stainless steel base. Bench is signed on the underside
Stainless Steel
$3,000 / item
H 28 in W 28 in D 28 in
Nicos Zographos Cantilever Bronze Base Lounge Chair CH28 in Carmel Leather
By Nicos Zographos
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern CH28 lounge chairs by architect Nicos Zographos with Carmel tufted leather seats and bronze bases, circa 1960s. Pair available, priced per chair. Designed and manu...
Bronze
Nicos Zographos Style Midcentury Swivel Chairs, Pair
By Nicos Zographos
Located in North Miami, FL
In the original eggplant fabric and with the most beautiful curves design, these Zographos style swivel lounge chairs on stainless steel base. They are ready to use and very comforta...
Stainless Steel
Nicos Zographos Stainless Steel Bench
By Nicos Zographos
Located in San Francisco, CA
Nicos Zographos design stainless steel and leather upholstered bench. Classic modern design lines made with a high quality solid stainless steel frame in very good restored conditio...
Stainless Steel