Forward-looking architect Walter Lamb is best known for his revolutionary and widely loved patio furniture — he salvaged metal tubing from sunken ships in Pearl Harbor in the 1940s to create alluring chaise longues and other pieces for the backyard. His vintage furniture designs have been adorning patios worldwide for almost a century.
Trained as an architect at the University of California Berkeley campus, Lamb found himself in Hawaii during the 1940s. This period was a time of growth for furniture designers and manufacturers, as veterans were returning to the United States, getting married and starting families. These folks needed practical furniture for their new homes, and as the movement we now call mid-century modern took shape, imaginative architects and furniture makers would fill that need. Lamb was one such innovator.
Lamb worked the shaped tubing and fittings he’d gathered from battleship wreckage into proper frames and wrapped the structures in marine-grade cotton cording to create comfortable, element-proof outdoor furniture. Today his patio furniture has an esteemed place in the history of design. In fact, furniture enthusiasts are eager to restore and collect his iconic aged furniture rather than purchase reproductions.
Postwar California would become reputable as a manufacturing center for versatile furniture intended for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Seating, tables and other items — often made with rattan — produced by the likes of McGuire and Brown Jordan became a defining feature of organic modern living, a style that still characterizes many California interiors and influences innumerable design firms. Pasadena’s then-new Brown Jordan picked up Lamb’s designs, which eventually included dining tables, side tables and coffee and cocktail tables. And along with these furnishings, Lamb's sculptural vintage seating — his curvaceous lounge chairs and armchairs with cotton cord seats — while perfect for your fire pit, shouldn’t be relegated to outdoors-only settings.
Lamb received much acclaim for his work. The Museum of Modern Art in New York recognized his 1940s-era outdoor furniture for Brown Jordan with a design award.
On 1stDibs, find a noteworthy collection of vintage Walter Lamb furniture.
$24,500 / set
Walter Lamb Arm Chairs
By Walter Lamb
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Walter Lamb Arm Chairs. Manufactured by Brown Jordan Beautiful natural verdigris surface Set of 6
Copper
Walter Lamb Square Lounge Chair
By Walter Lamb
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Walter Lamb Bronze and Rope Lounge Chair Manufactured by Brown Jordan Beautiful natural patina
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Dining Set with Four Rocking Chairs
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio dining set featuring a round dining table with four bronze rocking chairs designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chairs have a sculptural shape, with a singl...
Bronze
Bronze Dining Table Model C-2700 by Walter Lamb, 1950s
By Walter Lamb
Located in Hamburg, PA
Iconic and highly collectible Walter Lamb Model C-2700 bronze patio dining table, the 48-inch version. Designed in the late 1940s and produced by Brown Jordan throughout the 1950s an...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Wide Lounge Chair
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wide patio lounge chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The chair has a simple construction in tubular bronze with a patinated finish, with rounded squares serving as runners on e...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Chaise Lounge
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
S-Lounge patio chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Graceful even for a Lamb design, the chaise lounge is rendered in bronze tubing with a seat of woven yacht cord. Its namesake ar...
Bronze
Walter Lamb, Chaise Longue, Bronze, Fabric, USA, 1955
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in High Point, NC
A bronze and fabric cord chaise longue designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan, USA, c. 1955. Seat Height (inches): 12.25" Arm Height (inches): 17.13" All items ship ...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Rocking Chair
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bronze rocking chair designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chair has a sculptural shape, with a single formation of tubular bronze forming the backrest, arms, e...
Bronze
$14,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Walter Lamb Bronze Chaise Lounges for Brown Jordan, Model C-4700, 1960
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Walter Lamb Bronze Chaise Lounges for Brown Jordan, Model C-4700, 1960 A rare pair of outdoor chaise lounges designed by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan, Model C-4700, produced ...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze 'Waikiki' Rocking Chaise Lounge, circa 1960s
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural bronze 'Waikiki' rocking chaise lounge by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. These collectible examples of functional art features curvy tubular bronze frames and rewoven with ...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze & Vinyl Patio Wide Lounge Chair
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wide patio lounge chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The chair has a simple construction in tubular bronze with a patinated finish, with rounded squares serving as runners on e...
Bronze
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
Early Walter Lamb Bronze Occasional Table, circa 1945
By Walter Lamb
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Walter Lamb Bronze Occasional Table, circa 1945 A rare early example of Walter Lamb's work, this occasional table features his signature tubular bronze frame with a warm, natur...
Bronze
$4,500 / item
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Ottoman
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bronze ottoman by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The ottoman has simple construction in tubular bronze with a patinated finish, with rounded squares serving as runners on each side....
Bronze
Early Walter Lamb Bronze & Canvas Patio Chaise Lounge
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The late 1940s or early 1950s early S-Lounge patio chair by Walter Lamb predating his partnership with Brown Jordan. The chaise lounge is rendered in thick bronze tubing with a canva...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Round Dining Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio dining table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The round frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Sleigh Chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A low lounge chair, known as the “Sleigh Chair,” by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. A continuous length of tubular bronze serves as the frame of a scooped seat, bends beneath the chair...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Dining Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio dining table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The round frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round 36" Bronze Patio Coffee Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio coffee table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and a circu...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Square Side Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A side table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a square shape with rounded corners, supported by four legs in matching bronze. T...
Bronze
Set of Four Early Walter Lamb Bronze & Canvas Dining Chairs
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four early dining chairs by Walter Lamb dating from the late 40s or early 50s, predating his work with Brown Jordan. The set consists of two armchairs and two side chairs that...
Bronze
Original Vintage Walter Lamb Large Round Coffee Table
By Walter Lamb
Located in Chicago, IL
Walter lamb large round coffee table. Original textured Glass. 2 chips as noted in photos.
Brass
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Three Seater Bench
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze three seater bench by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The bench has simple construction in tubular bronze with a patinated finish. The bench has four rounded square supports and...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Square Dining Table by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A small patio dining or a card table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table has a square shape with rounded corners, supported by four ha...
Bronze
$6,000
Walter Lamb Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio side table designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. Bronze table frame with inset hammered glass tabletop. Suitable for outdoor use. 1950s
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Rocking Chair
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bronze rocking chair designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chair has a sculptural shape, with a single formation of tubular bronze forming the backrest, arms, e...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Round Bronze Patio Coffee Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio coffee table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and a circu...
Bronze
$3,500 / item
Walter Lamb Ottomans
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walter Lamb Ottomans model C-5706, pair Brown Jordan USA, c. 1952 bronze, cotton cord 17½ h × 23½ w × 15 d in (44 × 60 × 38 cm) Literature: Walter Lamb, manufacturer's catalog, 1954,...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Occasional Table
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A patio side table in patinated bronze designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The frame is described by two concentric rings of bronze with radial supports and a circu...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Two Seater Settee
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze two seater settee by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The settee has a beautiful curved construction in tubular bronze with a patinated verdigris finish. The sofa has one rounded support at the middle of the sofa and a stretcher that runs the length of the piece. The arm rests carry the same curved detail with double bronze tubing. This piece has been newly reroped. All Walter Lamb patio furniture at DEN has been restored with the utmost attention to the designer’s original specifications. We rope all seating...
Bronze
$29,999Sale Price / set|40% Off
Restored Rare 14 Piece Méandre Outdoor Patio Set by Walter Lamb for Pacific Iron
By Pacific Iron, Walter Lamb
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This expansive 14-piece patio set, crafted by designer Walter Lamb for Pacific Iron Products Co in Los Angeles, features his iconic wave motif adorning each table and chair base. The...
Iron
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze 'Waikiki' Rocking Chaise, 1960s, New Canvas
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural bronze 'Waikiki' rocking chaise lounge by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. These collectible examples of functional art features curvy tubular bronze frames and rewoven with ...
Bronze
$4,350
Walter Lamb Rope Ottoman
By Walter Lamb
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Walter lamb Rope Ottoman Manufactured by Brown Jordan Beautiful natural Verdigris surface
Copper
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Tubular Bronze Side Table, circa 1950s
By Walter Lamb
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Rare outdoor side table by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Collectible example is from the early years of Lamb’s work with Brown Jordan, dating to the mid 1950s. Constructed of a tubul...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Beach Table with Wood Top by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The WT-3715 Beach Table designed by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan features a tubular bronze frame and a new oak slatted wood tabletop. Recalling Lamb’s earlier work, the table has mol...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Three Seater Sofa
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze three seater sofa by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The sofa has a beautiful curved construction in tubular bronze with a patinated verdigris finish. The sofa has two rounded s...
Bronze
$4,000 / item
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Side Table
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patio side table designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The table frame is bronze tubing with a verdigris patina with an inset hammered glass tabletop. Two curved rail...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Beach Table with Wood Top by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The WT-3715 Beach Table designed by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan features a tubular bronze frame and a slatted wood tabletop in Philippine Mahogany. Recalling Lamb’s earlier work, the table has molded curves in the runners that act as the feet of the piece. The horizontal profile makes this table a perfect pairing for the lower profiles of the Sleigh Chair or Waikiki Lounge...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Three Seater Sofa
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze three seater sofa by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The sofa has a beautiful curved construction in tubular bronze with a patinated verdigris finish. The sofa has two rounded supports at the middle of the sofa and a stretcher that runs the length of the piece. The arm rests carry the same curved detail with double bronze tubing. This sofa retains its original vinyl cording...
Bronze