Silas Seandel Furniture
Silas Seandel creates captivating works in metal that range from sculptural tables in sumptuous living rooms to abstract sculptures that adorn the walls of hotel lobbies and museums. His brutalist and modernist pieces have a sensuous appeal. Working primarily with two methods — welded sheet metal and metal casting — his one-of-a-kind copper, bronze, brass and steel pieces evoke flowing movement.
Born in New York City in 1937, Seandel enjoyed working with his hands at a young age, often modeling with clay and creating kinetic mobiles. He was particularly drawn to the work of Alexander Calder. He graduated in 1959 from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics. He then enrolled in business school and studied law.
While exploring the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, he wandered into its “Sculptors of the 1950s” exhibit, which included works by Richard Stankiewicz, John Chamberlain and Jason Seley. Their metal art subsequently inspired a shift in his career. Seandel taught himself to weld from a how-to book and opened his first studio in 1963.
To support his income, he worked in the furniture department at B. Altman & Co. He would talk about metal sculpting with the designers who frequented the floor. One who was refurbishing the dining room of a country club commissioned Seandel to create a wall sculpture that resulted in acclaim for the artist. Since that first commission, he has worked almost exclusively with engineers, interior designers and architects.
Seandel witnessed the September 11, 2001, attacks from his New York City studio; what he saw influenced many of his works. In 2012, the designer’s studio was damaged in the storm surge of Hurricane Sandy. Water is now a recurring theme in his pieces.
On 1stDibs, find Silas Seandel’s tables, wall decorations, decorative objects and more.
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal, Brass
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Cut Steel
1970s Italian Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Bronze, Iron
1960s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Steel, Iron
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Silas Seandel Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Silas Seandel Furniture
Earthenware
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Brass, Cut Steel
1960s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal
1960s Finnish Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal, Copper
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Cut Steel, Sheet Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal
1960s Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Concrete
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Silas Seandel Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Brass
1970s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Gilt Metal, Mixed Metal, Steel, Iron
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Cut Steel
1980s American Brutalist Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Brass
1980s American Modern Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Travertine, Bronze
1970s Vintage Silas Seandel Furniture
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Silas Seandel Furniture
Metal