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, 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 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 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 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 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
$4,500 / item
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Ottoman
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
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
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze & Vinyl Patio Wide Lounge Chair
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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
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
Bronze Patio Sleigh Chair by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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 Three Seater Bench
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
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
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
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Two Seater Settee
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
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
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
$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
$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
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
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
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 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
Italian Chaise Longue silk
Located in Long Island, NY
Italian Chaise Longue .Elegant and Timeless. Beautiful Reds and Gold Colors in Silk .
Silk
$11,388
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Beige Fabric, Handmade by Greenapple
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Twins Chaise Longue, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins chaise longue and its matching...
Walnut, Oak, Linen, Mohair, Fabric, Leather, Cotton, Velvet, Bouclé, Wood
18th Century Welsh Country Lambing Chair
Located in Calgary, Alberta
This lovely country farm oak lambing chair was found in Wales, UK. From the 17th to the 19th century, these chairs were commonplace in British farmhouses...
Wood, Oak
Black Aluminum and White Vinyl Patio Set by Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s iconic “Kantan” Patio set design by Tadao Inouye for Brown Jordan. The set has be newly professionally restored. Constructed of black powder coated aluminum and white vinyl s...
Aluminum
$1,850 / set
H 33 in W 71.25 in D 27.75 in
Pair of Walter Lamb Inspired Outdoor Poolside Chaise Lounge Chairs
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Walter Lamb inspired outdoor poolside chaise lounge chairs with metal frames and white elastic cording. In very original condition with heavy patina, fading and discoloration...
Metal
$6,800 / set
H 29.25 in Dm 48.5 in
Silver Powder Coated Brown Jordan Patio Set with Round Table and 4 Chairs
By Brown Jordan
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Silver Brown Jordan Florentine round patio table with 4 chairs. Professionally stripped painted and powder coated in silver. Has the original glass top . Table 48.5” Diameter 29.25”...
Aluminum
$640Sale Price|44% Off
H 28 in W 21.25 in D 56 in
1960s Cushman Furniture Rock Maple Chaise Lounge Chair
By H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company
Located in Elkton, MD
Crafted from durable and high-quality rock maple, this chaise lounge is both sturdy and comfortable. The elegant design, with its sleek lines and smooth curves, makes it a timeless p...
Upholstery, Maple
Brown Jordan Sol Y Luna Chaise Lounge
By Dan Johnson, Brown Jordan
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We have 4 of these beautiful Sol Y Luna Chaise lounge chairs by Brown Jordan. These were originally designed by Dan Johnson as the Gazelle chair. We have had them professionally san...
Aluminum
Walter Knoll Deen Leather Chair in STOCK
By Walter Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Deen designed by Eoos for Walter Knoll is a beautiful chair with stainless steel legs.
Leather
Garden Patio Poolside Metal Rocking Chair Att. to Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Garden, patio, poolside, rocking chair of wrought iron and metal mesh. The chair is in very good original condition, clean and ready to use. We also offer custom powder coating if yo...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Chaise Lounge Att. to Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron and metal mesh adjustable chaise lounge attributed to the Woodard Furniture Company. The chaise has a reclining backrest, and wheels to easily move the piece. Pe...
Wrought Iron
$5,000 / set
H 30.25 in W 21.63 in D 24.63 in
Tadao Inouye for Brown Jordan Kantan Patio Table and four Chairs
By Brown Jordan, Tadao Inouye
Located in Denton, TX
Vintage set of four of Tadao Inouye for Brown Jordan Kantan dining chairs with round dining table Fully restored with new black powder coat on the frame ...
Metal
Early Walter Lamb Bronze & Canvas Ottoman
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The late 1940s or early 1950s Walter Lamb ottoman predating his partnership with Brown Jordan. The ottoman has a frame in thick tubular bronze and canvas seat laced tightly to the fr...
Bronze
Early Walter Lamb Bronze & Canvas Rocking Chair
By Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The late 1940s or early 1950s Walter Lamb rocking chair predating his partnership with Brown Jordan. The chair has a frame in thick tubular bronze....
Bronze
Pair of Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Wide Lounge Chairs
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of wide patio lounge chairs by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The chairs have a simple construction of tubular bronze with a patinated finish, with rounded squares serving as run...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Dining Armchair
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A model C1700A patio armchair in patinated bronze, designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chair has a tubular frame supported by a bent bronze runner and arm on ea...
Bronze
Walter Lamb Bronze Outdoor Dining Chairs Set of 4
By Walter Lamb
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of four outdoor/patio tubular bronze frame chairs with redone new cloth cording seat and back retaining its original Verdigris bronze Patina. This set includes 3 side chairs and...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Chaise Lounge
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
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...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Three Seater Bench
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
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 a stretcher that runs the length of the piece. All Walter Lamb patio furniture has been restored with the utmost attention to the designer’s original specifications. We rope all seating...
Bronze
Early Model Bronze Patio Rocking Chair by Walter Lamb
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The late 1940s or early 1950s Walter Lamb rocking chair predating his partnership with Brown Jordan. The chair has a frame in tubular bronze with t...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Sleigh Chair & Ottoman 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. The chair comes with an ottoman that slides beneath the chair seat for easy storage. A continuous length of tubular bronze serves as the frame of a scooped seat, bends beneath the chair to form two runners. A curved support bar stretches below the seat, which is wrapped horizontally with cotton sail cord. All Walter Lamb patio furniture has been restored with the utmost attention to the designer’s original specifications. We rope all seating...
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Bronze Patio Two Seater Bench
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze two seater bench by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. The bench has simple construction in tubular bronze with a patinated finish. The bench has three rounded square supports and ...
Bronze
Bronze Patio Set by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan, New Cording
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This listing is for a set of Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan bronze patio furniture which includes: - 2 lounge chairs - 2 ottomans - 1 rocking chair - 1 side table CONDITION: Seats ne...
Bronze, Copper
Sold
H 32 in W 21.5 in D 23.5 in
Pair of Original Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Armchairs, New Cording, circa 1960
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible pair of highly sought after and collectible armchairs by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. These rare original early production examples are from the early years of Lamb's ...
Bronze, Copper