Stendig Co. played a pivotal role in introducing modern European furniture to the American market, thanks to the business acumen of founder Charles Stendig.
Around 1950, the Brooklyn, New York–born Stendig (1924–2024) worked for Raymor, a purveyor of modern china and accessories that is best known for distributing designer Russel Wright’s American Modern line of ceramics. While at Raymor, Stendig focused on the company’s less popular pieces that were made in Italy and Scandinavia, recognizing their potential for the American market. In 1955, he left the company and decided to establish Stendig Co.
That year, a chance encounter with a Finnish trade representative led him to furniture company Asko — one of the largest companies operating in Scandinavia. Asko invited him and Joseph Carreiro, a professor at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts), to help refine their designs.
At Asko’s production facility in Finland, Stendig met several renowned Finnish designers such as Ilmari Tapiovaara, Tapio Wirkkala and Eero Aarnio, the iconic Ball chair creator. Stendig’s trip there was a success, and Stendig Co. began importing Finnish furniture to the United States.
In 1956, the first Stendig Co. showroom opened in Manhattan. A year later, during a trip to Zurich, Stendig came across a Bauhaus–inspired furniture store featuring pieces by Swiss designers Kurt Thut, Hans Eichenberger and Robert Haussmann, the store’s co-owner. Following a meeting with Haussmann, Stendig became the retailer’s exclusive U.S. distributor.
Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Stendig Co. imported and sold furniture from influential European designers, including Swiss designer Bruno Rey, Italian architect and industrial designer Vico Magistretti and Hungarian-American architect and designer Marcel Breuer, creator of the Wassily lounge chair.
By the late 1960s, Stendig Co. moved its headquarters to an expansive space on Manhattan’s East Side and opened showrooms in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, each home to the company’s striking collection of mid-century European armchairs, sofas, dining room chairs, coffee tables and other furnishings. Stendig’s founder was by then representing Italian manufacturers Poltronova and Gufram and bringing revolutionary works of Italian Radical design to American shores.
In 1971, Charles Stendig sold the company to Burlington Industries. He retired in 1976. Today Stendig’s European imports are coveted by interior designers and vintage furniture collectors, and he will be forever known as the man who introduced modern European design to the United States.
Find a range of vintage Stendig Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
Stendig Living Room, Sofa, Pair of Cube Chairs, New Boucle, Switzerland, Labeled
By Charles Stendig, Stendig Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Sofa & Pair Cube Chairs by Stendig, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid Century Modern, Labeled A rare Mid Century Modern living room ret in prist...
Chrome
Mid Century Modern Sofa by Stendig, New Luxurious Boucle, Switzerland, 1950s
By Stendig Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Sofa by Stendig, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid Century Modern, Labeled. A rare Mid Century Modern sofa by Stendig, made in Switzerland, in a new sheepskin style boucle, thick and rich with fully redone cushions. The box form mid century modern design is supported by a group of heavy chrome circular disk like feet. This sofa has a matching pair of box chairs, fully redone to match, sold separately. Seat height 18 inches. lhSX Stendig Co. played a pivotal role in introducing modern European furniture to the American market, thanks to the business acumen of founder Charles Stendig. Around 1950, the Brooklyn, New York–born Stendig (b. 1924) worked for Raymor, a purveyor of modern china and accessories that is best known for distributing designer Russel Wright’s American Modern line of ceramics. While at Raymor, Stendig focused on the company’s less popular pieces that were made in Italy and Scandinavia, recognizing their potential for the American market. In 1955, he left the company and decided to establish Stendig Co. In 1956, the first Stendig Co. showroom opened in Manhattan. A year later, during a trip to Zurich, Stendig came across a Bauhaus–inspired furniture store featuring pieces by Swiss designers Kurt Thut, Hans Eichenberger and Robert Haussmann, the store’s co-owner. Following a meeting with Haussmann, Stendig became the retailer’s exclusive U.S. distributor. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Stendig Co. imported and sold furniture...
Chrome
Pair Stendig Arm Chairs, Switzerland, New Luxurious Boucle, Mid-Century Modern
By Stendig Co., Charles Stendig
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Stendig arm chairs, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid-Century Modern A rare pair of Stendig made in Switzerland arm chairs in a new sheep...
Chrome
$13,000
H 25.6 in W 68.9 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Ivory Bouclé, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” two-seater sofa for Cassina, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is firmly associated with the next decade, when its popularity peaked. "Soriana" is low and invites you to sink into its curves. The most notable feature of this couch, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Bouclé
$23,311 / set
H 27.96 in W 76.38 in D 32.29 in
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room Set by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This three elements living room set from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proporti...
Brass
$21,000 / set
H 25.6 in W 68.9 in D 37.41 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Black, 1969, Set of 3
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, Sofa and two Lounge Chairs, Black Leather, Italy, 1969, Set of three. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "So...
Plastic, Leather
$10,444 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$4,079 / set
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Complete Living Room Sofa and Armchairs Design Sergio Asti for Poltronova, 1962
By Sergio Asti, Poltronova
Located in taranto, IT
Designed by Sergio Asti and produced by Poltronova in 1962, the "Zelda" living room set—comprising a three-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs—is one of the finest expressions of Ita...
Leather, Wood
$34,814 / set
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Alpaca Velvet Sesann Living Room Set for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann living room set, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1972 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. The set is composed of a three-seater sofa and three armchairs. It ...
Chrome
$27,000 / set
H 28.35 in W 94.49 in D 33.47 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Living Room Set for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 3
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" living room set for B&B Italia, sofa and two armchairs, faux-fur, foam and metal, Italy, 1971, set of three. The search for a new shape for upholstered fu...
Faux Fur, Foam
$3,729
H 25.2 in W 96.46 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern French Three-Seat Sofa by Gérard Guermonprez, 1970s
By Gerard Guermonprez
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern French three-seat sofa with original velvet fabric designed by Gérard Guermonprez. The sofa presents some wear consistent with age and use. It can become a set ...
Chrome
$2,195
H 25.5 in W 27.5 in D 32 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern American Walnut Armchair & Rocker New Cushions
By Viko Baumritter
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Mid century modern pair of chairs, armchair rocker and a armchair. In very good original condition. Straps to hold cushions in place are tight...
Fabric, Walnut
$32,493 / set
H 29.93 in W 79.93 in D 53.15 in
Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare set of two small croissant sofas by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofas have been fully resto...
Leather, Bouclé
$4,400 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 28 in
Pair of Navy Blue Mid-Century Modern Lounge Arm Chairs on Tapered Dowel Legs
By Milo Baughman, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern new navy blue upholstery lounge chairs on tapered dowel legs.
Wool
$22,145 / item
H 31.5 in W 110.24 in D 62.21 in
Modern Galapinhos Curved Sofa, Cream Bouclé, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Galapinhos Curbed Sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Galapinhos curved sofa brings the essence of nature indoors, inspired by ...
Travertine
Living room set by Giuseppe Raimondi for Stendig, 1970s
By Giuseppe Raimondi, Stendig Co.
Located in bruxelles, BE
Beautiful living room set in black leather and wood consisting of a sofa and two armchairs designed by Giuseppe Raimondi in the 1970s. Dimensions of sofa: H: 66 cm W: 211 cm D: 77 cm...
Leather, Wood
Robert Haussmann for Stendig Set in Mohair
By Robert Haussmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Robert Haussmann for Stendig loveseat and ottoman set. Reupholstered about 15 years ago in Mohair. Set is exceptionally Clean and ready to...
Chrome
Sold
H 28 in W 84.5 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Robert Haussmann Stendig Steel Cased Sofa & Pair Chairs 1950s
By Robert Haussmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a magnificent, three-seat, steel cased sofa, designed by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, made in Switzerland, circa 1950s. In excellent vintage condition, but...
Steel
Sold
H 33.5 in W 91 in D 36.5 in
Paolo Piva for Wittmann Leather Sofa and Lounge Chairs, Austria, circa 1980
By Wittmann, Stendig Co., Paolo Piva
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful leather sofa and pair of lounge chairs in excellent condition by Paolo Piva for Wittmann, circa 1980. Imported by Stendig and retaining their original labels under each pie...
Leather