Norman Cherner Chairs
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.
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Creator: Norman Cherner
Plycraft Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Bentwood Armchairs USA 1960s, a Pair, Signed
By Norman Cherner, Plycraft
Located in Miami, FL
Plycraft Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Bentwood Armchairs USA 1960s, a Pair, Signed
Offered for sale is s an original pair of 1960s Norman Cherner for Plycraft bentwood Pretzel chairs. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
Cherner Side Chair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft
By Norman Cherner
Located in Centreville, VA
Iconic dining chairs designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft in the United States in 1958.
This dining chairs are early models of Cherner design with original condition.
Originally ...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Chairs
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Set of Four Early Pretzel Chairs by Norman Cherner 'Bernardo' for Plycraft, USA
By Norman Cherner
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of Four Early Pretzel Chairs by Norman Cherner 'Bernardo' for Plycraft, USA
PRICE IS FOR SET OF FOUR CHAIRS
Set of Four Early Pretzel Chairs designed by Norman Cherner for Plyc...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
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Set of Norman Cherner Pretzel Dining Chairs, Made by Plycraft, USA, 1960s
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in LEWES, GB
A set of four original Norman Cherner pretzel dining chairs, made by Plycraft, USA, in the 1960s. Bentwood frames. Priced for the s...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
Materials
Wood
Cherner Task Chair with Arms
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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...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
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Pair of Cherner Armchair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft
By Norman Cherner
Located in Centreville, VA
Found in design collections across the world, the Cherner chair was originally made of walnut faced moulded plywood, using similar techniques to those that Charles and Ray Eames were...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Chairs
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Cherner Armchair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft
By Norman Cherner
Located in Centreville, VA
Found in design collections across the world, the Cherner chair was originally made of walnut faced moulded plywood, using similar techniques to those that Charles and Ray Eames were...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Chairs
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Bentwood
Norman Cherner for Plycraft Bentwood Swivel Chair with Cream Upholstery
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Attention Collectors! This architecturally captivating swivel chair designed by the acclaimed Norman Cherner is ideal for those searching for authentic Plycraft pieces from the early...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
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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...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
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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....
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Norman Cherner Chairs
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Cherner Task Chair
By Norman Cherner, The Cherner Chair Company
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...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
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Set of 5 Norman Cherner For Plycraft Steam Bent Plywood
By Plycraft, Norman Cherner
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 5 American Mid-Century arm chairs with beige painted steam bent plywood frames and orange vinyl upholstered backs and seats. (NORMAN CHERNER FOR PLYC...
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Norman Cherner Chairs
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Wood, Upholstery
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Norman Cherner chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Norman Cherner chairs 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 chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 5 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original chairs by Norman Cherner were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Mel Smilow, Russel Wright, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Norman Cherner chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $925 and can go as high as $22,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,919.