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 De Sede DS 600 Nonstop Sectional Sofa, Leather, 1970s
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, Stendig Co.
Located in Astoria, NY
Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, and Heinz Ulrich for Stendig De Sede, DS 600 "Nonstop" Sectional Sofa, 1970s, in 14 sections with light green leather upholstery, "Stendig" label t...
Leather
Vintage De Sede 600 “Non-Stop” Sectional Sofa, Taupe Suede
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Toronto, CA
A true icon of 1970s design, the DS-600 “Non-Stop” sofa by De Sede is celebrated for its endlessly modular, serpentine silhouette. This vintage configuration features plush taupe sue...
Suede, Felt, Wood
$5,850 / set
H 27.5 in W 124.5 in D 63.25 in
1970s De Sede Style Green Tufted Leather Modular Sectional Sofa
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A truly fun and inviting 1970s De Sede style green tufted leather modular sectional sofa. This versatile piece offers exceptional flexibility in arranging a lounge space, composed of...
Leather
$24,500 / set
H 28 in W 120 in D 37 in
De Sede, Mid-Century Modern, DS-600 Non Stop Sectional Sofa, Green Fabric
By De Sede
Located in Stamford, CT
De Sede, Mid-Century Modern, DS-600 Non Stop Sectional Sofa, Green Fabric Vintage 'Non-Stop' DS 600 sofa designed by Ueli Berger, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Klaus Vogt...
Fabric, Felt
$48,500
H 28 in W 199 in D 39.5 in
Gorgeous 1970s De Sede DS600 "Non-Stop" Sectional Sofa, Burnt Orange Leather
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An truly iconic De Sede DS600 "Non-Stop" or "Snake" sectional sofa, conceived by the visionary design team of Ueli Berger, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, and Heinz Ulrich. This magnificent e...
Leather
$18,595 / set
H 25.99 in W 36.62 in D 36.62 in
De Sede DS-88 Sectional Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather, Switzerland, 1970's
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Introducing this gorgeous and rare center piece DS88 element sofa by De Sede in Cognac Brown patchwork leather. 3 seating elements that can be used as separate pieces or as one sofa...
Leather, Foam, Wood
$37,500
H 29.53 in W 157.49 in D 39.38 in
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Reddish-Brown Patinated Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘Snake’ DS-600 sectional sofa, leather, felt, Switzerland, 1972. A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This D...
Leather, Felt
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger, Eleonora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, 'Snake' sectional sofa, model 'DS-600', leather, Switzerland, 1970 Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleonora Ped...
Leather
$22,500 / set
H 32 in W 146 in D 40 in
Sofa DS-600 by Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, De Sede, 1972, Switzerland
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger
Located in Dallas, TX
Custom ordered sofa DS-600 designed by Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Ueli Berger, and Heinz Ulrich, De Sede, 1972, Switzerland. This unique design is comprised of fifteen elements total, fi...
Velvet
$55,787
H 29.14 in W 220.48 in D 39.38 in
De Sede DS 600 Sofa Snake by Ueli Berger chocolate Leather - 21 Elements
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Munster, NRW
Legendary De Sede endless Sofa - the DS 600 in chocolate + supersoft leather. Originally designed in 1972 by Ueli Berger, Eleonore Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt. A Sofa...
Leather
$131,885 / item
H 29.14 in W 472.45 in D 196.86 in
De Sede DS 600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa 40 Elements in Full-grain Nappa Leather
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
Located in Tilburg, NL
De Sede DS 600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa with 40 Elements in High Quality Full-grain Nappa Leather, Zwitserland. New, current production. The De Sede DS 600 alias 'Tatzelwurm' or 'Sna...
Leather, Wood
$59,895 / item
H 29.93 in W 196.86 in D 40.16 in
De Sede DS-600 Nonstop Snake Shaped Modular Sofa in Black Leather
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Launched in 1972, DS-600 is an indestructible, variable modular system of upholstered furniture consisting of individual, addable armchair elements. These consist of an L-shaped hard...
Leather
$22,000 / set
H 25 in W 25 in D 33 in
De Sede DS11 Patchwork Leather Sectional in Caramel, Circa 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of the most comfortable sofas ever made. This De Sede 'DS-11' sectional sofa features five pieces including two corner pieces. Switzerland, 1970s. It's beyond comfortable. The patinated patchwork leather is in a gorgeous caramel color. Sold as a set. Nice configuration with 2 corners. Dimensions : Regular seat : w25 x d33 x h25 in. Corner : w33 x d33 x h25 in. We're currently pairing this with a Jorge Zalszupin patchwork credenza, Mastercraft brass end tables...
Leather
Sold
H 29.5 in W 282 in D 39 in
De Sede, Mid-Century Modern, DS-600 Sectional Sofa, Distressed Leather, 1972
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, Stendig Co., De Sede
Located in Stamford, CT
De Sede, Mid-Century Modern, DS-600 Non Stop Sectional Sofa, Distressed Leather, Felt, Early example produced in 1972 Rare and important early example sold with it's original order memo, dated 8-18-1972, it's original receipt, dated 9-20-1972, and it's original 'Coffee' color leather sample. A 'Non-Stop' DS-600 sofa designed by Ueli Berger, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Klaus Vogt for de Sede in Switzerland, 1972. This particular example is a first year production and features 28 individual elements having brown distressed leather uppers and a soft tan felt bottom half. By Ueli Berger, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Klaus Vogt (Swiss, 1937-2008 Italian, b. 1939 Swiss, b. 1942 Swiss, b. 1938) DS-600 'Non Stop' Sectional Sofa, Originally Designed in 1972 Comprised of 28 individual sections Height: 29.5 inches, Width: ~ 282 inches, Depth: 39 inches, Seat Height: 16 in. DeSede...
Leather, Felt
Sold
H 29 in W 10 in D 40.5 in
De Sede DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' in Cognac Leather, 22 Elements, Signed
By Ueli Berger, De Sede, Stendig Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic twenty-two (22) element cognac leather DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' by Swiss maker De Sede and distributed by Stendig, also referred to as the 'Snake' sectional sofa...
Leather, Fabric
De Sede DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' in Grey Leather, 18 Elements
By Ueli Berger, De Sede, Stendig Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic grey leather DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' by Swiss maker De Sede, also referred to as the 'Snake' sectional sofa was designed by Ueli Berger, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, ...
Leather, Fabric
Sold
H 30 in W 61 in D 140 in
Mid-Century Modern De Sede 600 Nonstop Curved Leather Sectional Sofa in Cognac
By Ueli Berger, De Sede, Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A long articulating sofa designed by Ueli Berger, produced by De Sede, and distributed by Stendig. This example features 14 elements / sections in cognac colored Italian leather and ...
Leather, Wool, Wood
Sold
H 28 in W 326 in D 41 in
De Sede NON STOP Sofa, Rare Matched Pair or One Monumental 34 Element System
By De Sede, Stendig Co., Mario Bellini, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger
Located in San Diego, CA
De Sede most iconic design "NON STOP" sofa, model DS600. Designed by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland in the 1972. We are happy...
Ultrasuede
De Sede DS-600 'Non Stop Sofa' in Tan Suede, 19 Sections, Signed
By De Sede, Stendig Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic 'Non-Stop Sofa' by Swiss maker De Sede in a distressed tan suede is priced low to allow you to either use as-is in its moderately distressed condition or reupholster to ...
Suede
Sold
H 30 in W 90 in D 39 in
De Sede DS600 Non-Stop Modular Sectional Snake Sofa, Light Grey Leather, 1970s
By Stendig Co., De Sede
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Iconic Mid-Century Modern DS 600 nonstop sectional leather sofa by Heinz Ulrich, Ueli bergère and Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, manufactured by Desede. Sofa sections consist of original grey tone leather and black felt bases. The distressed leather shows a beautiful patina and texture that you can only get with age. This unique serpentine snake-like sofa is comprised of nine individual sections which zip together and secure with metal pins. Includes two end arm pieces and seven interchangeable middle sections. This sculptural couch is the perfect size and can be configured or curved in multiple ways to fit any space. Can also be used as a loveseat or split up into two smaller lounge style chairs...
Leather, Felt
Sold
H 29.53 in W 216.54 in D 39.38 in
Large 22 Section De Sede DS-600 Non Stop Sofa by Ueli Berger and Co. for Stendig
By Klaus Vogt, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, Stendig Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the De Sede DS600 "non stop" modular sofa by bergere, Peruzzi Riva, Ulrich and Vogt, and imported by Stendig. This 22 piece unit is very lightly used and has been in storage ...
Felt, Leather
De Sede DS-22 Brown Leather Sofa
By De Sede, Stendig Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Natural brown leather sofa. 3 piece sectional. Produced by De Sede in Switzerland and distributed by Stendig. Rare model DS-22.
Leather