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Plycraft Ottomans and Poufs

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
'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s

'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s

$2,050Sale Price / set|26% Off

'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s

By George Mulhauser, Plycraft

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An iconic Mid-Century Modern 'Mr. Chair' and ottoman, designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft in the 1960s. A timeless example of American Modernist design, this sculptural lounge ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Plycraft Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Plywood, Faux Leather

Iconic Space Age Version Mr. Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
Iconic Space Age Version Mr. Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft

Iconic Space Age Version Mr. Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft

$2,920Sale Price / set|20% Off

Iconic Space Age Version Mr. Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft

By Plycraft, George Mulhauser

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Iconic space-age version of the Mr. Chair and matching ottoman by Plycraft. This molded ply lounge chair/ottoman is designed by George Mulhauser and made by Plycraft features stylish...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Plycraft Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

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George Mulhauser Plycraft Ottoman
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George Mulhauser Plycraft Ottoman

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Plycraft Ottomans and Poufs

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Plycraft ottomans and poufs for sale on 1stDibs.

Plycraft ottomans and poufs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Plycraft ottomans and poufs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original ottomans and poufs 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 ottomans and poufs by Mel Smilow, Eero Saarinen, and Vladimir Kagan. Prices for Plycraft ottomans and poufs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,331 and can go as high as $3,650, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,524.

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Questions About Plycraft Ottomans and Poufs
  • Is Plycraft the same as Eames?
    1 Answer
    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).

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