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.
Beautiful Midcentury Chest of Drawers in Birchwood Paul Goodman for Plymold
By Paul Goldman, Plycraft
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful shimmering birchwood 4 drawer dresser on sled base. Produced by Plymold for just a few years before founding Plycraft. Paul Goldman designed most of Plycraft furniture incl...
Birch
Paul Goodman for Plymodern Furniture Four Drawer Birch Bentwood Dresser, 1940's
By Paul Goldman, Plycraft
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early Paul Goldman for Plymold Bent Birchwood Chest of Drawers. Featuring a smooth, handcrafted rounded rectangular bentwood form, solid construction, four drawers, oval inset concav...
Birch
$4,500
H 33.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb 6-Drawer Dresser for Winchendon Furniture
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb 6-drawer dresser for winchendon furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back t...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture Eight Drawer Marble Top Dresser
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early Paul McCobb designed "Irwin" Collection dresser made by Calvin Furniture of Grand Rapids, MI. Robust walnut construction conceals eight large pull-out drawers behind a pair of ...
Stone, Marble, Brass
$9,200
H 32 in W 72 in D 20 in
1950s Paul Frankl Moroccan Red Lacquered Double Dresser / Chest of Drawers
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic Paul Frankl 10-drawer chest with freshly polished brass X pulls, refinished and shown in Moroccan Red Lacquer from Frankl's Debonair Collection for Johnson Furniture. Pair Available. Please note buyer has the option to select any color for professional refinishing to match the desired interior. Certainly one of Paul Frankl's most celebrated designs, the chest is timeless and pairs well with contemporary, eclectic and mid century decor. Paul Frankl was known in the Art Deco period for his architectural skyscraper...
Lacquer
$15,500
H 33.25 in W 62 in D 18.5 in
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Basket woven Chest of Drawers cabinet
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A six drawer chest by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Oak veneer with 100’s of individual tiles laid in an an interwoven basket weave pattern. Great texture and warmth. This exceedin...
Oak
$2,175Sale Price|25% Off
H 45 in W 34 in D 19 in
Mid century molded plywood tall Red dresser by Paul Goodman for plymold
By Paul Goldman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century molded plywood tall 4 drawer tall dresser by Paul Goodman for plymold In red translucent Lacquer. Has rounded design with concave handles with bentwood curved drawers and...
Birch, Bentwood, Plywood, Lacquer
$2,210Sale Price|35% Off
H 33 in W 46 in D 19 in
Mid century molded plywood Red dresser by Paul Goodman for plymold
By Paul Goldman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century molded plywood low 3 drawer dresser by Paul Goodman for plymold In red Lacquer. Has rounded design with inset handles with bentwood curved drawers and legs. Good vintage ...
Birch, Bentwood, Plywood
$2,509
H 22.84 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
Low Midcentury Rosewood Chest of drawers by Brouer Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Brouer Mobel
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Made by Brouer Mobelfabrik A beautiful low chest of drawers by Brouer made of expressive rosewood. The color is a beautiful reddish darkbrown. The cool grips and patterning of the wo...
Rosewood
Paul McCobb Chest of Drawers Irwin Collection for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design chest of drawers for his Irwin Collection by Calvin. Classic American Mid-Century modern design and very functional for everyday use. Made from bleached mahogany...
Travertine, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers by Paul Frankl, Cerused Oak, 1940s
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century Modern Chest of drawers in cerused natual oak with a combed oak border. Original brass pulls. Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman. Mint Restored.
Brass
$2,795
H 47.75 in W 37 in D 21 in
Kindel Furniture American Empire Carved Mahogany Four-Drawer Highboy Dresser
By Kindel Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous American Empire style four-drawer highboy dresser or chest of drawers By Kindel Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Beautiful carved mahogany, with original brass hardware. Mea...
Brass
$2,834
H 22.84 in W 53.15 in D 19.69 in
Low Midcentury Rosewood Chest of drawers by Brouer Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Brouer Mobel
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Rosewood chest of drawers A beautiful low chest of drawers by Brouer made of expressive rosewood. The color is a beautiful reddish darkbrown. The cool grips and patterning of the woo...
Rosewood
$2,509
H 22.84 in W 53.15 in D 19.69 in
Low Midcentury Rosewood Chest of drawers by Brouer Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Brouer Mobel
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Rosewood chest of drawers A beautiful low chest of drawers by Brouer made of expressive rosewood. The color is a light reddish, because of the sunbleach over the years. The cool grip...
Rosewood
Sold
H 75.25 in W 33 in D 17 in
Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Plycraft Molded Plywood Etagere - a Pair
By Plycraft
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of vintage Boho etagere. Made by the iconic Plycraft group. Chic molded plywood in a biomorphic shape. Inset glass shelves. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Glass, Plywood
Pair of Plycraft Bentwood and Glass Etageres
By Plycraft
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of plycraft bentwood and glass Etageres.
Glass, Bentwood
Rare Plymodern Dresser by Paul Goldman for Plycraft, circa 1946
By Paul Goldman, Plycraft
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful dresser by Paul Goldman for Plycraft in 1946, this incredible molded birch-veneered dresser was part of the Plymodern line. Like Charles and Ray Eames, Goldman pioneered th...
Birch
1940's Paul Goldman Bent Plywood Desk for Plymold Corp
By Paul Goldman, Plycraft
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Boston Design Center A piece of Massachusetts manufacturing history, this is an early work by Paul Goldman for Plymold Corp of Lawrence, MA circa 1945 (the predecess...
Walnut