The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
$1,350Sale Price / set|40% Off
Midcentury Steelcase Tanker Dining Table and Chairs Set
By Steelcase
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Midcentury steel Tanker dining table and chairs set features a table and four chairs made by Steelcase. Table: 30" tall X 30" Wide X 45" Dee...
Steel
$5,422 / set
H 29.14 in Dm 47.25 in
Midcentury Giovanni Offredi Paracarro Dining Table and Chairs for Saporiti, 1973
By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti
Located in Roma, IT
Unique "Paracarro" model dining table with a set of four chairs. It was designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced by Saporiti in Italy during 1973. Based on a prototype project, i...
Concrete, Steel, Chrome
Lovely Dining Set, Four Chairs and a Dining Room Table
Located in New York, NY
This set includes a dining room table that includes an attachment. The table is approximately 53 inches long, but the extension adds 16 inches, making it nearly 70 inches in length. ...
Wood
Midcentury Skovby Mobelfabrik Dining Set
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning vintage modern Danish teak pedestal base dining table with two leaves by Skovby Mobelfabrik. This attractive set caters to many with the ...
Faux Leather, Teak
$1,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 19 in D 15 in
Maurice Burke Dining Set Tulip Dining Table and Chairs - 5 Pieces
By Burke, Inc.
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very nice vintage dining set that includes four Burke chairs and table, The table measures H 29.5” W 38”
Fiberglass
$6,483 / set
H 30.32 in W 84.65 in D 30.71 in
Gothic Revival Refectory Dining Table and Chairs, Set of 7, France
Located in Rīga, LV
Carved oak dining set from the 1950s-1970s in the Gothic Revival style. The set includes one heavy refectory dining table with sculptural pedestal legs and 6.5 cm table top, and six ...
Oak
Verner Panton "Pantonova" Dining Set of Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare Verner Panton Pantonova dining table and chairs, made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1971. Cognac color leather seat pads. Set includes table, m...
Chrome
1970s Lucite Dining Gaming Table and Chairs, Set of 4
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning lucite table set you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the be...
Glass, Lucite
Herman Miller Eames Dining Chair and Table Set
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original signed Herman Miller Eames dining set. Features multicolored shell chairs on black H bases. All nylon self leveling chair glides intact, for use on multiple types of surface...
Aluminum, Steel
1970s Rattan around Barrel Dining Table and Chairs, Set of 4
By Michael Taylor
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, rattan dining table and chairs set you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful s...
Rattan, Glass
$5,304 / set
H 29.53 in W 78.75 in D 34.65 in
Georges Robert — Table and 6 Chairs, Brutalist Chalet-Inspired Dining Set
By Georges Robert
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Exceptional dining set by French designer Georges Robert, consisting of a solid wood table and six sculptural chairs designed in a brutalist mountain style reminiscent of Alpine chal...
Ash, Beech, Pine
$22,397
H 37.8 in W 80.71 in D 19.69 in
Midcentury Italian Dining Room Set with Table and Bar Cabinet, 1940
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding elegant dining set designed by Pier Luigi Colli. Composed by; - Dining table with finely carved and painted legs decorated with acanthus leaves. Dark red glass...
Wood
1970s Dining Table & Chairs Set
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A spectacular 1970s Dining Set- The chairs and table have a heavy chromed steel base and were reupholstered in soft blue leather. Glass dimensions: 130 cm Chair dimensions: Width: 51...
Chrome, Steel