Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
American
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.
to
3
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
3
3
3
3
3
34
36
35
25
19
Creator: Walter Lamb
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. Two runners with bowed rear edges ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Related Items
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Walter Lamb, Chaise Longue, Bronze, Fabric, USA, 1955
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
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 ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Brown Jordan Bentwood Rattan Table and Chairs Set
By Brown Jordan
Located in Sheffield, MA
Stylish bentwood deco style dining or patio table and 4 chair set by Brown Jordan has the look of faux bamboo. Features glass top and arched bentwood base with an open design. Beauti...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Hardwood
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”...
Category
1980s American Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
$6,800 / set
H 29.25 in Dm 48.5 in
Set of Four Brown Jordan Neoclassical Style Garden Dining Chairs
By Brown Jordan
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Neoclassical style set of four patio and garden dining chairs made by Brown Jordan. Heavy and solid cast aluminum construction with a lattice design influenced by Mario Papperzini fo...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
$2,500 / set
H 34.5 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-century Steel Springer Rocking Outdoor Patio Chair , Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Enjoy the serene beauty of your outdoor space with this pair of elegant dark Forest Green cantilever Springer Garden chairs. This vintage patio chair pair features sturdy metal const...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
$3,120 Sale Price / set
40% Off
H 35 in W 23 in D 29 in
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
Category
1960s American Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Brown Jordan “Florentine” Pair of Patio or Garden Arm Chairs - Hunter Green
By Richard Frinier, Brown Jordan
Located in St. Louis, MO
“Florentine” pattern one of the most sought after of the Brown Jordan designs by Richard Frinier, circa late 80s. Pair of patio or garden dining arm chairs . Round table in separat...
Category
1980s Unknown Regency Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
$1,650 / set
H 36.5 in W 22.75 in D 24.25 in
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
Category
1960s American Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Copper
Outdoor Folia Rocking Chair with Ottoman Designed by Kris Van Puyvelde
By Kris Van Puyvelde
Located in Boston, MA
Outdoor Folia rocking chair with ottoman.
Beautiful designed inspired by veins on a leaf designed by Kris Van Puyvelde.
Ottoman is include...
Category
2010s Belgian Organic Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
$6,266
H 41 in W 24.6 in D 36.6 in
Mocha, Gold & Pink Saddle Swing Handmade Crochet Outdoor Hammock Seat
By iota
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
The iota Saddle Swings are lightweight and compact. They are perfect for enjoying the outdoors and kids love them too. You can easily take the hammock lik...
Category
2010s Israeli Scandinavian Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Polyester, Teak, Acrylic
$1,020 / item
H 112.21 in W 27.56 in D 11.82 in
Previously Available Items
Early Model Bronze Patio Rocking Chair by Walter Lamb
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
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...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Walter Lamb Rocking Chair for Brown Jordan
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, a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Walter Lamb Rocking Chair for Brown Jordan
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, a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Early Model Walter Lamb Patio Rocking Chair
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A late 1940s or early 1950s Walter Lamb rocking chair predating or from the early days of his partnership with Brown Jordan. The chair has a frame ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan Rocker in Bronze
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare rocker or rocking chair designed by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan. Recently recorded in cotton by the firm that Brown Jordan recomme...
Category
1950s American Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Pair of Walter Lamb Bronze Patio Rocking Chairs for Brown Jordan
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of bronze rocking chairs designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chairs have a sculptural shape, with a single formation of tubular bronze forms the backrest...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Signed Walter Lamb for Brown-Jordan Bronze Outdoor Rocking Chair, circa 1950
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze rocking chair designed by Walter Lamb and manufactured by Brown Jordan. A rarity with the original label still in-tact as these, being usually used outdoors, tend to lose the ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
H 31 in W 21.5 in D 32 in
Pair of Early Model Walter Lamb Bronze Patio Rocking Chairs
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of bronze rocking chair designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chair has a sculptural shape, with tubular bronze forming the backrest, arms, and exaggerated...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Single Walter Lamb Bronze and Rope Patio Rocking Chairs
By Walter Lamb, Brown Jordan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walter Lamb's patio rocking chair, produced by Brown Jordan. The chair has a sculptural shape, with a single formation of tubular bronze forming the backrest, arms, and exaggerated r...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Walter Lamb Patio Rocking Chairs for Brown Jordan
By Brown Jordan, Walter Lamb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of bronze rocking chairs designed by Walter Lamb and produced by Brown Jordan. The chairs have a sculptural shape, with a single formation of tubular bronze forms the backrest...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walter Lamb Rocking Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Walter Lamb rocking chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Walter Lamb rocking chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Walter Lamb rocking chairs, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original rocking chairs by Walter Lamb were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1940s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider rocking chairs by Milo Baughman, Adrian Pearsall, and Charles Eames. Prices for Walter Lamb rocking chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,500 and can go as high as $6,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,500.