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.
Baron Sofa by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, Cream Leather, 1970
By Stendig Co., Robert Haussmann
Located in Chicago, IL
Baron Sofa by Robert Haussmann for Stendig. cream leather, 1970. Original leather with beautiful patina. Pair of chairs are sold in separa...
Leather
$15,400Sale Price|30% Off
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Leather
By Klaus Vogt, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, Stendig Co., De Sede
Located in New York, NY
Sofa model "DS600" “Non Stop” in Black leather composed of 11 Elements. Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleonore Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland 1970s. It fe...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Sofa by Stendig, New Luxurious Boucle, Switzerland, 1950s
By Stendig Co.
Located in Manhasset, NY
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
Cognac Leather and Chrome Sofa by Robert Haussmann for De Sede
By Stendig Co., Robert and Trix Haussmann, De Sede
Located in Atlanta, GA
Cognac Leather and Chrome Architectural Sofa, designed by Robert and Trix Hausmann for De Sede, Switzerland, circa 1970s. Imported to the US by Stendig and signed with Stendig label....
Metal
Stendig Living Room, Sofa, Pair of Cube Chairs, New Boucle, Switzerland, Labeled
By Stendig Co., Charles Stendig
Located in Manhasset, NY
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
$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 Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
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
$9,459Sale Price / set|60% Off
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
$5,675
H 28.35 in W 68.9 in D 31.5 in
De Sede DS-125 Sofa by Gert Lange in cognac Leather, Switzerland, 1980s
By De Sede
Located in amstelveen, NL
Exceptional and highly sculptural DS-125 sofa by Gert Lange for De Sede, Switzerland, circa 1980s. This iconic model exemplifies De Sede’s mastery of leather craftsmanship and arch...
Leather
Post Modern Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll 1980's
By Knoll, Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Post Modern sofa designed by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll as part of The Lounge Seating series, circa 1980's. The upholstered box form sofa rests on an aluminum ...
Aluminum
$47,181 / set
H 31.5 in W 54.73 in D 24.81 in
Pair of 1970s Trix & Robert Haussmann for Knoll Black Leather Mirror Sofa Settee
By Knoll, Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 1970s Trix & Robert Haussmann for Knoll 2-seat sofa settee. This pair is made in black leather and mirror. All original collectors condition. The Mirror Sofa...
Mirror, Leather
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Light Grey Leather
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, Sectional sofa model ‘Snake’ DS-600, leather, Switzerland, 1972. An amazing design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerla...
Leather
$4,611
H 29.93 in W 84.65 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Three-Seat "Coronado" Sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian three-seat flamingo pink velvet "Coronado" sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B. Project from 1960s The sofa can come as a living room set together with its pair ...
Velvet, Wood
$17,200
H 25.6 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Ivory Bouclé, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Bouclé Wool and Chromed Steel, 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. Its most notable feature, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Bouclé
Huge Sofa Set by Norman Bel Geddes, 1950s, USA
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Extremely rare huge sofa set by Norman Bel Geddes from the 1950s. We have the set from the possession of a US soldier stationed in Germany or Roth after...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
$10,642 / 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
$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
$25,778 / set
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Ocher Velvet Sesann Living Room Set for Cassina, 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann dining room set, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. It is composed of a three-seater sofa and an armchair. It features o...
Chrome
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
Sheriff sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo
By ISA Bergamo, Sergio Rodrigues, Stendig Co.
Located in New York, NY
The 'Mole' sofa, designed in 1957 by Sergio Rodrigues, is an icon of mid-century Brazilian furniture. Meaning 'soft' in Portuguese, the Mole sofa is aptly named for its comfort and l...
Leather, Rosewood
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, Stendig Co., De Sede
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
"Bastiano" Sofa & Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stendig
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Stendig Co.
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Three Piece "Bastiano" Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stending, 1960s. Original Labels Intact. Set Includes Three-Seater Sofa + Two Armchairs. Newly Reupholstered in a Beige Cott...
Fabric, Wood
De Sede DS-600 'Non-Stop Sectional Sofa' in Grey Leather, 18 Elements
By Ueli Berger, Stendig Co., De Sede
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
Stendig Sofa with Polished Steel and Sculptural Wood
By Stendig Co.
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This light and airy modernist sofa in a neutral oatmeal Knoll Rivington upholstery is handsomely complemented by polished steel arm details and sculptural wood trim. Please see our o...
Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 61 in D 140 in
Mid-Century Modern De Sede 600 Nonstop Curved Leather Sectional Sofa in Cognac
By De Sede, Stendig Co., Ueli Berger
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 Mario Bellini, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede, Stendig Co.
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
Sold
H 28 in W 84.5 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Robert Haussmann for Stendig Steel Cased 3-Seat Sofa, 1950s
By Robert Haussmann, Stendig Co.
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a phenomenal, three-seat, steel cased sofa, designed by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, made in Switzerland, circa 1950s. In excellent vintage condition, but ...
Steel
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
Stendig Leather Tuxedo Loveseat, Made in Switzerland
By Stendig Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous leather tuxedo loveseat by Stendig. The sofa features high grade burgundy leather and chrome feet. The leather has some patina and is nicely...
Chrome
Stendig Leather Tuxedo Loveseat, Made in Switzerland
By Stendig Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous leather tuxedo loveseat by Stendig. The sofa features high grade burgundy leather and chrome feet. The leather has some patina and is nicely...
Chrome