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Ward Bennett Furniture

American, 1917-2003

Ward Bennett created everything from interiors and furniture to textiles and flatware. The unsung New York City-born modernist designer drew on the work of Le Corbusier and Auguste Rodin, studied art with the likes of Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann and counted legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. among his clients. For decades, Bennett created and filled spaces that were elegant, minimalist and deeply appealed to everyone who laid eyes on them.

Bennett left home and school at the young age of 13. He found work in Manhattan’s Garment District, and within a few years, Bennett traveled to Europe on behalf of a clothing manufacturer to gather ideas for modern garments. He lived abroad as a young man, and when he returned to New York, during the early 1940s, he assisted fashion entrepreneur Hattie Carnegie as a window dresser.

Bennett would also go on to share a sculpture studio with artist Louise Nevelson. He ventured into the world of jewelry design, creating necklaces, bracelets and other pieces with Richard Pousette-Dart. The Whitney Museum of American Art exhibited his sculptures, and it wouldn’t be long before the Museum of Modern Art included Bennett’s personal adornments with accessories by the likes of Alexander Calder, Harry Bertoia and Anni Albers in its 1946 “Modern Handmade Jewelry” show.

Bennett didn’t take the plunge into interior design work until he was 30 years old — his inaugural project was an apartment in Manhattan and his clients were family members. He had no formal training in architecture or decorating — and would ultimately design a mere handful of houses in his life — so for his inviting leather office chairs, marble-topped tables and sleek storage cabinets, Bennett relied only on what he learned in the fashion world. Soon, every time he redecorated his own home — an elaborate apartment comprising former maids’ quarters in New York City’s magnificent Dakota building — it earned splashy coverage in the newspapers.

Bennett’s client list eventually included David Rockefeller and Chase Manhattan Bank, Tiffany & Co., Sasaki, Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, and others, and during the 1970s he became in-house designer for Brickel Associates, a role that would endure for more than two decades. His work is on permanent view at the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Ward Bennett seating, decorative objects and more.

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Creator: Ward Bennett
1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Desk Chair in Fabric from IBM
1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Desk Chair in Fabric from IBM

1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Desk Chair in Fabric from IBM

By Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an Executive Office Chair designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in 1970. These particular examples were produced in 1986 in the United States. The chair features an...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

Ward Bennett Chrome and Light Purple Tufted Swivel Tub Lounge / Armchair
Ward Bennett Chrome and Light Purple Tufted Swivel Tub Lounge / Armchair

Ward Bennett Chrome and Light Purple Tufted Swivel Tub Lounge / Armchair

By Ward Bennett

Located in Queens, NY

American Mid-Century tub-form swiveling lounge / armchair with lightly patterned purple button tufted fabric upholstery, resting on a four leg brushed ch...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Set of 4 Mid-Century Dining Armchairs by Ward Bennett, Upholstered
Set of 4 Mid-Century Dining Armchairs by Ward Bennett, Upholstered

Set of 4 Mid-Century Dining Armchairs by Ward Bennett, Upholstered

By Ward Bennett

Located in Queens, NY

Set of 4 American Mid-Century dining armchairs with black painted steam bent ash frames and multi-colored patterned fabric upholstered seats and backs. (WARD ...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Ash

Ward Bennett Rosewood and Aluminum Coffee Table by Lehigh
Ward Bennett Rosewood and Aluminum Coffee Table by Lehigh

Ward Bennett Rosewood and Aluminum Coffee Table by Lehigh

By Lehigh Furniture Company, Ward Bennett

Located in Highland, IN

Ward Bennett's expert use of line and proportion are evident in this beautiful coffee table with a three legged aluminum base supporting a rich rosewood top.

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair
1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair

1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair

By Ward Bennett

Located in Pasadena, TX

1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and associates barrel-back leather chair 4-star anodized bronze base swivel conference room chair in a rich brow...

Category

1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Metal

Navy Blue Mohair Executive Swivel Chair by Ward Bennett
Navy Blue Mohair Executive Swivel Chair by Ward Bennett

Navy Blue Mohair Executive Swivel Chair by Ward Bennett

By Ward Bennett

Located in Danville, CA

Stunning reclining Executive swivel chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel. The chair is in beautiful original condition. The chrome base and slimline casters are also in excellent condit...

Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair in Fabric from IBM
1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair in Fabric from IBM

1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair in Fabric from IBM

By Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a bentwood dining chair, originally designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. This particular example was produced in 1984. The design features a sculptural solid bent...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Foam, Wood, Fabric

1983 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Bankers Chairs in Oak
1983 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Bankers Chairs in Oak

1983 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Bankers Chairs in Oak

By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a pair of Bankers Armchairs, initially designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in 1965. The listed price includes the pair as shown. T...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Fabric
1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Fabric

1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Fabric

By Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a pair of bentwood dining chairs, originally designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. These particular examples were produced in 1984. Their design features a sculptu...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Foam, Wood, Fabric

Ash Lounge by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
Ash Lounge by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates

Ash Lounge by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates

By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A solid ash lounge chair with adjustable recline and original channeled upholstery

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Ash, Upholstery

1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Leather Desk Chair
1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Leather Desk Chair

1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Leather Desk Chair

By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates

Located in Pasadena, TX

Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Barrel-Back leather desk chair 6 available 4-star anodized bronze base swivel conference room chair...

Category

1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Oak
1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Oak

1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Oak

By Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a pair of bentwood dining chairs, originally designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. These particular examples were produced in 1984. Their design features a sculptu...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Foam, Oak, Fabric

1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Pink Fabric
1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Pink Fabric

1984 Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chairs in Pink Fabric

By Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a pair of bentwood dining chairs, originally designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. These particular examples were produced in 1984. Their design features a sculptu...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Foam, Oak, Fabric

1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Desk Chair in Fabric with Oak Frame
1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Desk Chair in Fabric with Oak Frame

1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Desk Chair in Fabric with Oak Frame

By Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an Executive Office Chair, initially designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in 1970. These particular examples were produced in 1984 in the United States. Their desi...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Metal

1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric

1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric

By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Bankers Chair, initially designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in 1965. The listed price includes one chair, and we have four chairs available for purchase. T...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Executive Office Chair in with Fabric
1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Executive Office Chair in with Fabric

1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Executive Office Chair in with Fabric

By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an Executive Office Chair designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in 1970. This particular example was produced in 1986 in the United States. The chair features a red...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

Ward Bennett Desk Chair
Ward Bennett Desk Chair

Ward Bennett Desk Chair

By Ward Bennett

Located in Dallas, TX

A tilting desk chair with bronze base designed by Ward Bennett. Height adjustable. Reupholstered in a Holly Hunt fabric.

Category

1970s Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Ward Bennett Desk Chair
Ward Bennett Desk Chair

Ward Bennett Desk Chair

By Ward Bennett

Located in Dallas, TX

A tilting desk chair with bronze base designed by Ward Bennett. Height adjustable. Reupholstered in a Holly Hunt fabric.

Category

1970s Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Bronze

1988 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Arm Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen
1988 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Arm Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen

1988 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Arm Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen

By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Bankers Armchair, initially designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in 1965. The listed price includes one chair, and we have four chairs available for purchase. ...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

Ward Bennett for Brickel Black Ash Scissor Lounge Chairs, Red Wool Bouclé, 1984
Ward Bennett for Brickel Black Ash Scissor Lounge Chairs, Red Wool Bouclé, 1984

Ward Bennett for Brickel Black Ash Scissor Lounge Chairs, Red Wool Bouclé, 1984

By Ward Bennett

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Ward Bennett for Brickel Assoc. Black ash scissor lounge chair pair, set of two, red wool bouclé, 1984, New York. Black lacquered ash, red wool upholstery, metal tags to each. Ward Bennett’s story is a remarkable one. His career began at age 13, when he quit school to work in the garment district in New York City. At 15, he designed his first clothing collection; at 16 he left for Europe, where he continued working on fashion design. While in Europe, he attended art schools in Florence and Paris, but he was mostly self-taught, with skills that ranged from illustrating, sculpting, and jewelry-making to furniture, interior, and home design. “I learn from people,” he once said, referencing a long line of influences, including Hattie Carnegie, Hans Hoffman, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Bennett eventually settled back in New York, where his reputation earned him some of the day’s most affluent clients: David Rockefeller and Chase Manhattan Bank, Tiffany & Co., Sasaki, Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli, Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner. Another—former President Lyndon Baines Johnson—asked Bennett to design a chair for his presidential library that would be “a cross between a barroom chair and a courtroom chair...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Wool, Ash

1960s Ward Bennett for Lehigh Furniture Arm Chair in Red Fabric & Aluminum
1960s Ward Bennett for Lehigh Furniture Arm Chair in Red Fabric & Aluminum

1960s Ward Bennett for Lehigh Furniture Arm Chair in Red Fabric & Aluminum

By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Furniture Company

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a 1960s Armchair, designed by Ward Bennett for Lehigh Furniture. The chair has an aluminum four point base, and it retains its original red upholstery fabric. The piece is ve...

Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Executive Office Chair in Red Fabric
1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Executive Office Chair in Red Fabric

1986 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Executive Office Chair in Red Fabric

By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates

Located in Philadelphia, PA

These are Executive Office Chairs, designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in ca. 1970. The chairs are framed in Cherry-stained Oak, having coordinating wood trim on their fi...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel

1980s Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Yoke Chairs in Oak and Suede
1980s Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Yoke Chairs in Oak and Suede

1980s Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Yoke Chairs in Oak and Suede

By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a pair of ‘Yoke’ side chairs, designed by Ward Bennett in 1984 for Brickel Associates. The listed price includes the pair. Their design features a frame of bent stained Oak, and these particular examples retain their original brown suede upholstery. It is rare to find a Yoke chair...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Foam, Oak, Leather, Lacquer

Ward Bennett Claw Side Table for Brickel Associates
Ward Bennett Claw Side Table for Brickel Associates

Ward Bennett Claw Side Table for Brickel Associates

By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Minimalist side table by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, circa 1970s, USA. The round table features a steel chrome plated frame with three tubular legs. The table earned its nam...

Category

1970s American Minimalist Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Ward Bennett Desk Chair
Ward Bennett Desk Chair

Ward Bennett Desk Chair

By Ward Bennett

Located in Dallas, TX

A tilting desk chair with bronze base designed by Ward Bennett. Height adjustable. Reupholstered in a Holly Hunt fabric.

Category

1970s Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Bronze

1960s Ward Bennett for Lehigh Leopold Brown Suede and Stainless Steel Armchair
1960s Ward Bennett for Lehigh Leopold Brown Suede and Stainless Steel Armchair

1960s Ward Bennett for Lehigh Leopold Brown Suede and Stainless Steel Armchair

By Ward Bennett

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Tufted Lounge Armchair, designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Lehigh Leopold in the early 1960s. This chair is all original, having a stainless-steel four-star base, and...

Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ward Bennett furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Ward Bennett furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ward Bennett furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Ward Bennett were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Selig, Brown Jordan, and Kipp Stewart. Prices for Ward Bennett furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $215 and can go as high as $78,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,775.
Questions About Ward Bennett Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    What a swivel chair is called varies. However, swivel chair is one of the most commonly used terms for seating with a rotating feature. Other names include swiveling chair, revolving chair, spinning chair and spinny chair. In some cases, people might describe a swivel chair by its function, using terms like dining chair or office chair. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of swivel chairs.