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.
Ward Bennett For Sasaki Sengai Black Glass Bowl with Modernist Designs, 1980's
By Ward Bennett
Located in North Miami, FL
This heavy solid post modern black glass bowl is by Ward Bennett for Sasaki from the 80's. It has modernist incised designs near the perimeter. Made in Japan. Great for serving, barw...
Glass
RARE NOS 80s Ward Bennett for Sasaki "Sengai" set of 8 Crystal Highball Glasses
By Ward Bennett
Located in St. Louis, MO
An exceptional, investment-grade set of eight (two sets of four) New Old Stock (NOS) vintage postmodern 24% lead crystal highball glasses, designed by the legendary American modernist Ward Bennett for Sasaki Crystal...
Crystal
Ward Bennett Flatware "Double Helix" for Sasaki 32 Pieces Silverware Mid Century
By Ward Bennett
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid Century Modernist Flatware, designed by Ward Bennett for Sasaki, circa 1980s. A five piece service for six guests, with two additional serving pieces. 32 pieces total. It is con...
Stainless Steel
Royal Crystal Rock Aurea Tumbler Highball Glasses in Box Vintage Set of 6
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of 6 Royal Crystal Rock (RCR) Italy Aurea Line Crystal Highball Tumblers. Vintage RCR Royal Crystal Rock Aurea Pattern Tumbler Highball Glasses in Box. Beautiful set of 6 vintage 1980s crystal tumbler glasses...
Crystal
$895 / set
H 10 in W 8 in D 8 in
Mid 20th Century Vintage MCM Arni Form Condiment Lazy Susan- 7 Pieces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage MCM Condiment Tray. Made by the iconic Italian group Arni Form and tagged on the bottom. Oil and vinegar, salt and pepper and sugar bowl all on top of a rotating lazy susan. Brightly colored ceramic vessels...
Ceramic, Teak
$24,000 / set
H 2 in W 14.8 in D 16.5 in
Mid 19th Century Hand-Painted British Porcelain Dinnerware, 88 Pieces
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th Century British porcelain dinnerware service with hand painted gilt foliate borders with bouquets of wild flowers against a whit...
Gold
Fabergé Silver Flatware Service for 24
By Fabergé
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fabergé silver is regarded as the highest form of Continental silver in terms of artistry and opulence. This rare 197-piece parcel-gilt silver flatware service for 24 was produced by...
Silver
Russian Faberge Attributed Blue Glass Egg with Engraved Designs
By Fabergé
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine quality large antique/vintage Russian hand-blown engraved cobalt blue glass egg attributed to Faberge and probably dating from the early 20th century. The egg is hollow hand b...
Blown Glass
Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso — Large Murano Glass Bowl with Murrines
By Dino Martens, Aureliano Toso
Located in Dronten, NL
An impressive and vibrant Murano glass bowl designed by Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso. This striking piece showcases the designer’s masterful use of color and movement, executed in...
Murano Glass
$3,812Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in Dm 14.17 in
Italian Murano Glass Centerpiece Bowl, Green and Frosted, Seguso, 1980s
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian Murano glass centerpiece bowl crafted during the nineteen eighties demonstrates refined postmodern Venetian art glass design. Handcrafted in Italy, this sculptural tapered ur...
Bronze
$12,500 / set
H 24 in W 24 in D 24 in
Acanthus by Mappin & Webb Silverplated Flatware Set Service Dinner 328 Pieces
By Mappin & Webb
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mappin & Webb is a true British treasure with over 241 years of tradition and historical significance in the world of silver and jewelry. Renowned for combining timeless craftsmanshi...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modernist Smoked Glass Curved Bowl by Holmegaard of Denmark
By Holmegaard
Located in New York, NY
A mid-century smoked glass curved bowl by Holmegaard of Denmark. A flat base and circular form features curved wave-like rounded edges. Handblown in smoked grey glass with variances ...
Smoked Glass
Gio Ponti Diamond Flatware, Service for Twelve
By Gio Ponti, Reed & Barton
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful and complete service for twelve in the Diamond pattern by Gio Ponti. The line was designed in 1958 in collaboration with Italian archite...
Sterling Silver
100 Piece Hammered Silverware Service
Located in NYC, NY
Canteen of cutlery in partially hammered silver plated metal composed of 100 pieces: One punch ladle. 12 large spoons. 12 large forks. 12 large knives. Nine dessert spoons. 12 desert forks...
Goran Warff Kosta Boda Bowl, Internally Decorated with Botanical Designs
By Göran Wärff
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This modern art glass bowl is internally decorated with botanical designs. It's in mint condition and marked on the bottom Kosta, Warff & 57368. It is certainly made by the hands o...
Glass
Ward Bennett for Sasaki Black Glass Modern Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
A thick black glass bowl designed by Ward Bennet for Sasaki. Simple form with post modern geometric shapes carved around the top perimeter.
Art Glass
$380 / set
H 5.91 in Dm 3.94 in
fferrone Set of 2 Czech Contemporary Dearborn Highball Large Glasses Handmade
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
Dearborn large / highball glasses, set of two Perfect for everyday or formal dining settings, Dearborn will enrich any occasion. It inverts tradition with intricate detail on the ...
Glass
George Sakier Art Deco Glass Bowl for Fostoria
By George Sakier
Located in Sharon, CT
Rare clear glass example of the variety of modern approaches by the important American Industrial Designer George Sakier for Fostoria Glass.
Glass
Ward Bennett Silver Plate Small Bowl
By Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ward Bennett signed silver plate small bowl. Sculptural form, outside silver plate is near perfect! Inside shows minor loses.
Silver Plate
Ward Bennett for Sasaki Amethyst Black Glass Modernist Vase
By Ward Bennett
Located in North Miami, FL
This Ward Bennett for Sasaki Postmodern design amethyst black glass vase has incised intaglio architectural moderne details of circles, triangles and squares on the top. The top is f...
Glass
Ward Bennett Silver Plate Bowl Barware Vintage
By Ward Bennett
Located in North Miami, FL
This hallmarked vintage silver plate Ward Bennett sculptural bowl is a beauty. It is newly re-silver plated. It is like a piece of fractural silver plate that catches the light. Grea...
Silver Plate
Ward Bennett Silver Plate Salt and Pepper Shakers Set, Marked, Patina
By Ward Bennett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Just a very nice design in this set of salt and pepper by Ward Bennett.