Norman Cherner Furniture
American, 1921-1987
Norman Cherner was an influential designer who explored postwar technological innovations and how to incorporate them into furniture production and architecture. And while its history is complicated, his Cherner chair is one of the most successful examples of mid-century modern molded plywood seating.
Born in New York City, Cherner was an architect and a prolific designer who taught at Columbia University’s Teachers College. An enthusiast of the Bauhaus, he gave lectures in the late 1940s on the principles of the legendary German design school at the Museum of Modern Art.
Cherner was fascinated with the concept of cost-efficient design, and this extended into his pioneering ideas for prefabricated housing. His philosophy was that a modular home should be a complete design concept that included economical furniture and lighting. He published several DIY books, such as How to Build a House for $6,000. Cherner caught the interest of a housing cooperative in upstate New York and was contracted to design and oversee the construction of prefabricated housing in the town of Ramapo. The U.S. Department of Housing assembled a pre-built Cherner home for exhibition in Vienna.
But he is best known for his chair.
In the 1950s, one of George Nelson’s designers, John F. Pile, created the Pretzel chair. It had structural problems and proved too costly to make at Herman Miller, where Nelson was director of design. Production was subcontracted to Massachusetts company Plycraft, but the agreement didn’t last long owing to a dispute between the furniture manufacturers. Based on a recommendation from Nelson, Plycraft sought out Cherner to redesign the chair so that it would be durable and affordable to produce.
Cherner submitted his redesign only to be told that Plycraft had shelved the project. However, Plycraft secretly began producing what would become the Cherner chair under a different name — and Cherner later stumbled across his seat in New York. Cherner sued Plycraft and won. The chair became instantly popular after being featured in a Norman Rockwell illustration for a Saturday Evening Post cover in September of 1961.
Other noteworthy Cherner designs include his Konwiser furniture line, Multiflex storage units and tube lighting. The Museum of Modern Art praised his Konwiser collection as “some of the most progressive furniture designs available to the American public.”
In 1972, Plycraft discontinued production of his chair, and Cherner died in 1987. In 1999, his two sons founded the Cherner Chair Company and began making furniture based on their father's original designs for armchairs, chairs — including the Cherner chair — tables and credenzas.
Find vintage Norman Cherner furniture on 1stDibs today.
Color: Brown
Creator: Norman Cherner
Norman Cherner Armchair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Originally introduced in 1958, the iconic molded plywood armchair by Norman Cherner is found in collections worldwide. Reissued in exacting det...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
By Norman Cherner
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Norman Cherner Pretzel Dining Side Arm Chair Made by Plycraft 1960's
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in Wayne, NJ
Norman Cherner pretzel dining chairs, made by Plycraft in the 1960's.
If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , ple...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern "Pretzel" Armchair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern "Pretzel" armchair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft.
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Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Wood, Birch, Bentwood
Set of 5 Norman Cherner For Plycraft Steam Bent Plywood
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in New York, NY
SET of 5 American Mid-Century dining chairs with beige painted steam bent plywood frames and orange vinyl upholstered backs and seats. (NORMAN CHERNER FOR P...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Cherner Armchair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Originally introduced in 1958, the iconic molded plywood armchair by Norman Cherner is found in collections worldwide. Reissued in exacting det...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Bar Stool with Wood Base
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood stools by Norman Cherner have been seen in some high places. Available in counter or bar height with a wood or metal base....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Under Counter Stool, Counter Height
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The latest design from Benjamin Cherner. The under counter stool features a molded plywood seat with laminated wood base and a bright chrome footr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Studio Desk
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The new Studio desk is designed for Designers. Available in two sizes to fit your workspace. Made to last with all cross-ply plywood construction and soli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Under Counter Stool, Bar Height
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The latest design from Benjamin Cherner. The under counter stool features a molded plywood seat with laminated wood base and a bright chrome footr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Norman Cherner Cabinet for Multiflex Corp.
By Norman Cherner, Multiflex Corp.
Located in New York, NY
Modular "Studio Group" cabinet composed of walnut with a white micarta top, lacquered masonite doors and panels, and angle-steel pulls and frame. The “Curtainwall” principle applied to furniture, allowing easy extension in either a vertical or horizontal direction. An elegant riff on the Eames ESU, designed by Norman Cherner (along with Matthew Cooper) and manufactured by the Multiflex Corp circa 1954. The Studio Group was featured in George Nelson’s Storage book and was a MoMA Good Design selection in 1954. The present unit has two sliding door cabinets flanking a bank of three drawers. Behind each pair of sliding doors is a black masonite bottom and white masonite back. The frame, which disassembles to a large degree, is held together with brass buttons that are optionally visible on the outside (MoMA preferred visibility as expressive and suitable to the piece). Cherner famously designed the narrow-waisted Plycraft armchair along with an award-winning furniture line for Konwiser and was the author of the 1953 book Make Your Own Modern Furniture. Along with a nine drawer chest of drawers and a double-tall unit...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Steel
Iconic Mid Century Cherner Plycraft Bent Ply Chair
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Mid Century bent plywood chair designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft with original Plycraft label, dated 1964. This example is...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Plywood
Classic Mid Century Pretzel Arm Chair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic mid century Pretzel arm chair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft: Great original condition, Retains original seat and back padded cushion fabric,...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Naugahyde, Plywood
Cherner Lounge Armchair
By Norman Cherner, The Cherner Chair Company
Located in Berkeley, CA
The lounge chair and ottoman designed by Benjamin Cherner is the latest addition to the Cherner seating collection. A molded plywood shell, solid bentwood arm and laminated wood base...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Bar Stool with Metal Base
By Norman Cherner, The Cherner Chair Company
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood stools by Norman Cherner have been seen in some high places. Available in counter or bar height with a wood or metal base....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Norman Cherner Pretzel Dining Chairs, Made by Plycraft, USA, 1960s
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in London, GB
A set of four original Norman Cherner pretzel dining chairs, made by Plycraft, USA, in the 1960s. Bentwood frames. Priced for the s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Wood
Norman Cherner Mid Century Chair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Countryside, IL
Norman Cherner mid century chair
The chair measures: 17 wide x 20.5 deep x 32 high, with a seat height and chair clearance of 18 inches
All pieces of furniture can be had in ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Wood
Cherner Oval Table
By Norman Cherner, The Cherner Chair Company
Located in Berkeley, CA
Introduced in 2003, Cherner tables are designed by Benjamin Cherner to compliment Cherner seating. Perfect in a formal or informal setting, the tables are strong and lightweight. Che...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Ottoman
By Norman Cherner, The Cherner Chair Company
Located in Berkeley, CA
The ottoman is the latest addition to the Cherner seating collection. This new design combines a molded plywood shell and laminated wood base which are combined to produce a dynamica...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner 4 Door Credenza
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Multiflex casegoods are lightweight, strong and made entirely from laminated, cross-ply and molded plywood. Clear or Classic finish on American Walnut veneers are complimented by the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Side Table
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The new side table is a versatile small scale table for living, bedroom or lounge areas. The veneered top is made from 1-1/8? thick cross-ply plywood with an exposed profiled edge. T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Bedside Table
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Perfectly scaled storage with a single drawer. The new bedside tables are built entirely from laminated, molded and cross-ply plywood. American Waln...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Coffee Table
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The latest addition to the Cherner table collection. The coffee table comes in two sizes in Natural or classic Walnut. Molded plywood base with a 1? profiled exposed edge tabletop.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Lounge Side Chair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The lounge chair and ottoman designed by Benjamin Cherner is the latest addition to the Cherner seating collection. A molded plywood shell, solid bentwood arm and laminated wood base...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Rectangular Table
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Introduced in 2003, Cherner tables are designed by Benjamin Cherner to compliment Cherner seating. Perfect in a formal or informal setting, the tables are strong and lightweight. Cherner tables are available in oval, round and rectangular shapes with molded plywood legs. The round and oval tops are 1-1/8” cross-ply plywood with a profiled exposed edge. The rectangular table...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Armchair with Metal Base
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood stacking chairs by Norman Cherner are perfect for home, office or cafe. The seat is made of laminated plywood of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Task Chair with Arms
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood task chair by Norman Cherner is now available to a new generation of furniture collectors. A strong, lightweight and graceful additi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Norman Cherner for Plycraft Mid Century Walnut Round Expanding Dining Table
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in Countryside, IL
Norman Cherner for Plycraft mid century walnut round expanding dining table
This table measures: 42 wide x 42 deep x 29.25 inches high, wit...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner 2 Door 2 Drawer File Cabinet
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Multiflex casegoods are lightweight, strong and made entirely from laminated, cross-ply and molded plywood. Clear or Classic finish on American Walnut veneers are complimented by the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Task Chair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood task chair by Norman Cherner is now available to a new generation of furniture collectors. A strong, lightweight and graceful additi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Round Table
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Introduced in 2003, Cherner tables are designed by Benjamin Cherner to compliment Cherner seating. Perfect in a formal or informal setting, the tables are strong and lightweight. Che...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Side Chair with Metal Base
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood stacking chairs by Norman Cherner are perfect for home, office or cafe. The seat is made of laminated plywood of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner 4 Drawer Credenza
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Multiflex casegoods are lightweight, strong and made entirely from laminated, cross-ply and molded plywood. Clear or Classic finish on American Walnut veneers are complimented by the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner Task Chair
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
The 1958 molded plywood task chair by Norman Cherner is now available to a new generation of furniture collectors. A strong, lightweight and graceful additi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Plycraft Chairs by Norman Cherner
By Norman Cherner
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a set of 4 colorful chairs designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft. Each chair is painted in its own unique color: red, green, blue, and yellow....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Wood
Cherner 2 Door 2 Drawer Credenza
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Multiflex casegoods are lightweight, strong and made entirely from laminated, cross-ply and molded plywood. Clear or Classic finish on American walnut veneers are complimented by the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Vintage Norman Cherner Plycraft Wood Leather Chairs
By Norman Cherner
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of vintage Norman Cherner plycraft bent wood leather chairs
Norman Cherner studied and taught at the Columbia University Fine Arts Department ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Oak
Cherner 4 Door Cabinet
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Multiflex casegoods are lightweight, strong and made entirely from laminated, cross-ply and molded plywood. Clear or Classic finish on American Walnut veneers are complimented by the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cherner 6 Drawer Dresser
By The Cherner Chair Company, Norman Cherner
Located in Berkeley, CA
Multiflex casegoods are lightweight, strong and made entirely from laminated, cross-ply and molded plywood. Clear or Classic finish on American Walnut veneers are complimented by the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Norman Cherner Rare Prototype Armchair for Plycraft
By Norman Cherner
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Rare Norman Cherner prototype armchair for Plycraft.
Category
1960s American Vintage Norman Cherner Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Norman Cherner furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Norman Cherner furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Norman Cherner furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 33 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 27 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Norman Cherner were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Russel Wright, Conant Ball, and Chris Earl. Prices for Norman Cherner furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $419 and can go as high as $22,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,450.
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