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Plycraft Chairs

While the history of Plycraft is marred by scandal and lawsuits, the American furniture manufacturer produced charming lounge chairs and other seating during the mid-century modern era that are sought after by collectors today.

Paul Goldman founded Plycraft in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1953 — he had secured military contracts for the manufacturing of bentwood products during World War II and was able to move into the commercial market thereafter. While Plycraft counted fiberglass boats among its early offerings, its primary focus switched to furniture when what we now call mid-century modernism hit its stride and more designers began to explore the possibilities of bentwood furniture thanks to the revolutionary work of Alvar Aalto and Michael Thonet. Goldman was Plycraft’s principal designer, but George Mulhauser and Norman Cherner were also enlisted to create furniture for the brand.

In 1952, a designer named John F. Pile, who was working in the studio of Herman Miller design director George Nelson, conceived what he called the Pretzel chair in walnut and birch. Pile’s seat, which was inspired by European modernist design, proved too costly to manufacture and it had structural problems. So the illustrious Michigan furniture maker subcontracted Plycraft to produce the Pretzel chair — an agreement that was short-lived owing to a dispute between Plycraft and Herman Miller.

Goldman subsequently tapped Norman Cherner — an innovative architect, designer and professor at Columbia University who was recommended by Nelson — to create an iteration of the Pretzel chair that would be stronger and cost-efficient to manufacture.

Cherner submitted a comfortable, curvaceous update to the Pretzel chair in molded plywood but was told by Plycraft that the project was being scrapped and his drawings shelved. Months later, Cherner was shocked to stumble upon his redesigned chair in a furniture showroom in New York under the Plycraft name. Cherner sued Plycraft and won — the Cherner chair later appeared in a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.

In the late 1950s, designer George Mulhauser created the Mr. Chair for Plycraft, an adjustable, tilting, swivel armchair with a matching ottoman. Mulhauser was also a designer in George Nelson’s studio and is credited with having conceived the iconic Coconut lounge chair for Herman Miller. With its tufted leather seat and shell crafted from a single sheet of plywood, the Mr. Chair lounge — part of a line of seating for which Mulhauser was commissioned — bears a resemblance to the now-legendary Eames lounge chair, which was designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Mulhauser’s chair was very successful for Plycraft. A model was even spotted on an episode of Star Trek.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Plycraft seating, tables and more.

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Creator: Plycraft
Plycraft Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Bentwood Armchairs USA 1960s, a Pair, Signed
Plycraft Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Bentwood Armchairs USA 1960s, a Pair, Signed

Plycraft Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Bentwood Armchairs USA 1960s, a Pair, Signed

By Plycraft, Norman Cherner

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 Plycraft Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Norman Cherner for Plycraft Bentwood Swivel Chair with Cream Upholstery
Norman Cherner for Plycraft Bentwood Swivel Chair with Cream Upholstery

Norman Cherner for Plycraft Bentwood Swivel Chair with Cream Upholstery

By Norman Cherner, Plycraft

Located in Chicago, IL

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

Set of 4 Mustard Yellow George Mulhauser for Plycraft “Sultana” Armchairs
Set of 4 Mustard Yellow George Mulhauser for Plycraft “Sultana” Armchairs

Set of 4 Mustard Yellow George Mulhauser for Plycraft “Sultana” Armchairs

By Plycraft, George Mulhauser

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A rare set of George Mulhauser for Plycraft Sultana chairs in original condition. The vinyl cushions are in original Vinyl condition and the paint is a great mustard color. They even...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Plycraft Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Set of 6 Bent Plywood Dining Chairs by Cherner for Plycraft
Set of 6 Bent Plywood Dining Chairs by Cherner for Plycraft

Set of 6 Bent Plywood Dining Chairs by Cherner for Plycraft

By George Mulhauser, Plycraft

Located in New York, NY

Rare set of six bent plywood chairs designed by Cherner for Plycraft. This set consists of four side chairs and two armchairs. The chairs are in excellent original condition, showing...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Plywood

Set of 5 Norman Cherner For Plycraft Steam Bent Plywood
Set of 5 Norman Cherner For Plycraft Steam Bent Plywood

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...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Bentwood Walnut Gossip Chair
Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Bentwood Walnut Gossip Chair

Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Bentwood Walnut Gossip Chair

By Plycraft

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Bentwood Walnut Gossip Chair. Featuring a bentwood walnut chair, side table, modern legs with stretcher base, and a beautiful walnut...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Plycraft Chairs

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Plywood

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Norman Cherner Pretzel Chairs for Plycraft - Set of Four
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Norman Cherner Pretzel Chairs for Plycraft - Set of Four

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1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
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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...

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'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
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Previously Available Items
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Mid-Century Modern Black Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Plycraft
Mid-Century Modern Black Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Plycraft

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Vintage Mid-Century Modern George Mulhauser for Plycraft Scroll Bentwood Chair

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Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Chair for Plycraft

Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Chair for Plycraft

Sold

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Norman Cherner "Pretzel" Chair for Plycraft

By Plycraft, Norman Cherner

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Amazing vintage "Pretzel" chair designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft in the United States, circa 1960s. This incredible design utilizes a molded plywood frame that provides a slee...

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Vintage Sculptural "Pretzel" Dining Chairs by Norman Cherner for Plycraft
Vintage Sculptural "Pretzel" Dining Chairs by Norman Cherner for Plycraft

Vintage Sculptural "Pretzel" Dining Chairs by Norman Cherner for Plycraft

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Stunning vintage sculptural "Pretzel" dining chairs designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft in the United States, circa 1960s. This incredible design utilizes a molded plywood frame ...

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Norman Cherner for Plycraft Mid Century Pretzel Dining Chairs, Set of 6
Norman Cherner for Plycraft Mid Century Pretzel Dining Chairs, Set of 6

Norman Cherner for Plycraft Mid Century Pretzel Dining Chairs, Set of 6

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Located in Franklin Park, IL

Norman Cherner for Plycraft Mid Century Pretzel Dining Chairs - Set of 6 The armchairs measure: 17 wide x 21.5 deep x 31 high, with a seat heig...

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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Plycraft Chairs

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Norman Cherner Pretzel Armchairs for Plycraft, Pair
Norman Cherner Pretzel Armchairs for Plycraft, Pair

Norman Cherner Pretzel Armchairs for Plycraft, Pair

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Located in Philadelphia, PA

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Plycraft chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Plycraft 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 Plycraft chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Plycraft 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 Pace Collection, Florence Knoll, and Russel Wright. Prices for Plycraft 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 $2,850.
Questions About Plycraft Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    No, Plycraft is not the same as Eames. Plycraft is the name of an American furniture manufacturer founded in the early 1950s in Massachusetts. Eames refers to Charles and Ray Eames, two of the most celebrated furniture designers of the 20th century. After marrying in 1941, Charles and Ray moved to Los Angeles, where they established the Eames Office and eventually built their lifelong residence, the Eames House in Pacific Palisades as part of the Case Study House Program. Their designs are among Herman Miller’s most popular products of all time. Plycraft founder Paul Goldman was the company’s principal designer, but George Mulhauser and Norman Cherner were also enlisted to create furniture for the brand. On 1stDibs, shop vintage Eames furniture (and Plycraft, too).