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.
Mid-Century Modern Thonet-Style Rocking Chair by Stendig Co.
By Stendig Co., Michael Thonet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful example of mid-century craftsmanship, this bentwood cane rocking chair by Stendig (Czechoslovakia) features sculptural curves and airy cane work. Influenced by the iconic...
Wicker, Wood, Bentwood
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Bentwood rocking chair by Thonet in excellent original codnition.
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
Child’s Thonet Rocking Chair
By Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Stylish child’s bentwood rocking chair attached to Thonet. This example is in very good original condition showing only light wear normal and consistent with age. Measures: Total H ...
Cane, Bentwood
Exceptional Rocking Chair by Thonet
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This old authentic rocking chair was designed Michael Thonet and manufactured by Thonet. It was in the catalogue of 1904. It is a design classic. This dark brown rocking chair is in very good vintage condition with normal signs of age and use. The chair is stamped. Take your chance to get this Thonet collector’s item. Michael Thonet (1796-1871) was a German-Austrian cabinet maker, known for the invention of bentwood furniture, which ment the beginning of Modern Design. Le Corbusier used Thonet chairs...
Bentwood
$450
H 41 in W 22 in D 39 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Chrome Thonet Rocking Chair Rocker Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Sculptural Chrome Thonet Rocking Chair Rocker after Milo Baughman. Item features a chrome metal frame, white vinyl upholstery, impressive size, very nice v...
Chrome
Thonet B9 Bentwood Armchairs by Stendig
By Michael Thonet, Stendig Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four B9 bentwood arm chairs designed by Michael Thonet. This set of chairs was produced by licensed manufacturer Stendig. Wonderful sculptural design with clean minimal modern...
Beech, Bentwood
$795
H 40 in W 19.75 in D 42 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Beech Bentwood Rocking Chair Attributed to Thonet
By Michael Thonet
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant sculpted bentwood Thonet rocker from Czechoslovakia c1960. Hand caned seat and back with a fabulous bentwood design. Concentric circles form the base with other be...
Cane, Beech
$1,671Sale Price|43% Off
H 45.28 in W 22.45 in D 40.56 in
1970s Thonet-Style Rocking Chair, Brass & Wicker, Mid-Century Modern
By Thonet
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
1970s Thonet-Style Rocking Chair, Brass & Wicker, Mid-Century Modern Charmy rocking chair from the 1970s inspired by the iconic bentwood designs of the 19th century, this chair ...
Brass
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Oak Rocking Chair Denmark
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Timeless design rocking chair with great seating comfort. In good original condition. Keywords: Sustainable, pure, solid, calm, nature, art, natural, wood, oak, Wabi Sabi, perf...
Wood
Mid Century Modern Sculptura Lounge Rocking Chair by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and totally restored rocking lounge chair by Russell Woodard. Sand blasted and powder coated silver with new plastic tips on the ends of the rockers. Very comfy and super st...
Steel
$550
H 39 in W 22 in D 42 in
Mid Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Chrome Thonet Rocking Chair Rocker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Chrome Thonet Rocking Chair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 39" H x 22" W x 42" D x 17" Seat height x 26" Arm height.
Chrome
Rocking Chair S826 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic rocking chair by Ulrich Böhme for Thonet. Designed in 1971, model S826. Frame made of chrome-plated tubular steel. The rocking chair has been reupholstered and covered with a...
Steel
$2,300
H 36.62 in W 25.2 in D 33.08 in
Thonet Rocking Chair, Model Number 71, Vienna, 1910, Signed Thonet Bellow
By Michael Thonet
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Thonet rocking chair, model number 71. Vienna, 1910. Signed Thonet Bellow.
Beech, Bentwood, Rattan
Stendig Rocking Chair
By Stendig Co.
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Is there anything better than chrome and rattan? Add any one of our sheepskin throws for added coziness. Sheepskins sold separately.
Chrome
Sold
H 40.25 in W 20 in D 42 in
Vintage Stendig Bentwood & Cane Rocker Double Circle Design w Handle by Thonet
By Thonet, Stendig Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome bentwood and cane double circle design rocker with handle by Thonet for Stendig. It retains its original oval Stendig handmade in Czechoslovakia sticker as well as an ink stamp. It is in wonderful vintage condition with no outstanding flaws that we have seen. Please see photos, circa 1960s-1970s. Modern looking rocking chairs are so difficult to come by. And this one, although not officially modern by its design year, fills that void. This rocker, or I actually mean one like it, was first designed in the 1860s by Michael Thonet. So, by the time it was imported to the US from Czechoslovakia by Charles Stendig, the design was already 100 years old! That is what I call timeless design. By 1913 the bentwood rocker represented 5% of Thonet’s sales. Our model we are offering has a more Bauhaus look than the original #7064 rocker which is illustrated in the 1904 Gebruder Thonet catalog. It has more straight lines. No curls or spirals and no turned side pieces. Although we believe it to be derived from this model. Perhaps its more modern influence was provided by Josef Hoffmann or Le Corbusier. Or maybe even Charles Stendig himself! You can be sure it will complement your modern or Mid-Century Modern décor. Stendig was totally the brainchild and passion of Charles W. Stendig. You cannot write or talk about Stendig without explaining Charles. He was a Pioneer of import goods in the mid-century. After serving in WWII as a paratrooper, he studied business with emphasis on international trade at NYU and City College of New York. Afterward first working for Raymor, another pioneering distribution company, for about two years departing to start his own business, Stendig. He opened his first showroom in 1956 in midtown Manhattan. He is credited for sparking America’s interest in furniture from Finland...
Cane, Bentwood