Ward Bennett Seating
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
Pair Ward Bennett Model 1516 Armchairs
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Dallas, TX
For your consideration is this rare pair of armchairs model 1516 by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. Each beautifully constructed chair is of exceptionally high quality and featu...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
$8,250 / set
Ward Bennett Set of Four Rare Landmark Variation Chairs for Brickel Associates
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exceptional set of four rare Landmark Variation chairs designed by influential American designer Ward Bennett in the 1970s. Manufactured by Brickel Associates and originally retailed...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs By Ward Bennett
By Ward Bennett
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of sculptural mid-century modern lounge armchairs designed by American designer/artist/sculptor Ward Bennett circa 1958 is truly dramatic seating. The chairs are fully upho...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Maple
2010s Pair of Ward Bennett for Geiger Envelope Chairs in White Leather w/ Chrome
By Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of envelope chairs, originally designed by Ward Bennett in 1966. This particular pair was produced by Geiger in the 2010s. The listed price includes the pair of chairs...
Category
2010s American Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Steel
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 Seating
Materials
Steel
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 Seating
Materials
Ash, Upholstery
$8,500 / item
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 Seating
Materials
Bronze
$3,200
2019 Ward Bennett for Geiger Bumper Lounge Chairs in Off-White Leather
By Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Bumper lounge chair, originally designed by Ward Bennett in 1964. Each of the two chairs available was produced by Geiger International in 2019. The listed price includes o...
Category
2010s American Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Steel
Ward Bennett Leather 1970s Channel Mid Century Lounge Chairs
By Ward Bennett
Located in New York, NY
A great comfortable pair of beautiful taupe, gray brown soft leather channel chairs designed by Ward Bennett. Great condition.
Biography:
Designer, artist, and sculptor Ward Bennett ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Leather
Ward Bennett Brickel Red Mohair Upholstered Swivel Tub Lounge Chair With Ottoman
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the 1960s by American icon Ward Bennett, this lounge chair and ottoman was produced by Brickel. This example is quite special, featuring the rarely seen ottoman. Where many other pieces are reupholstered, this chair features its original medium red rose shade...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Mohair, Wood
1970s Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Bronze and Mohair Bucket Desk Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1970s production bucket desk / office chair, designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Brickel Associates. The chair was acquired from an estate in Philadelphia a...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Bronze
Ward Bennett Leather 1970s Channel Mid Century Lounge Chairs
By Ward Bennett
Located in New York, NY
A great comfortable pair of beautiful taupe, gray brown soft leather channel chairs designed by Ward Bennett. Great condition.
Biography:
Designer, ar...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Leather
Ward Bennett Scissor Lounge Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Chrome
Ward Bennett, Sofa, Fabric, Aluminium, USA, 1950s
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Leopold
Located in High Point, NC
An aluminium and light grey fabric sofa designed by Ward Bennet and produced by Lehigh Leopold, USA, c. 1950s.
18” seat height.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Ward Bennet, Sofa, Aluminium, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Leopold
Located in High Point, NC
An aluminium and light grey fabric sofa designed by Ward Bennet and produced by Lehigh Leopold, USA, c. 1950s.
18” seat height
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Ward Bennett for Brickel Sofa
By Ward Bennett, Brickfield Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ward Bennett for Brickel Sofa
This sofa measures: 69 wide x 31 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 22 inches
About Photos: We take our photos in a con...
Category
Early 2000s American Post-Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Leather Office Chair by Ward Bennett for Bricket Associates
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A classic desk chair in black leather by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates with original 5 star chrome base and rolling casters. Measurements tak...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Chrome
$1,039 Sale Price
20% Off
Four Landmark Chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickel
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four full cane 'landmark' chairs designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel with loose seat cushions.
Category
1960s Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Ash
$12,000 / set
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 Seating
Materials
Metal, Chrome
1980s Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Yoke Chairs in Oak and Suede
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
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 Seating
Materials
Foam, Oak, Leather, Lacquer
Four Chairs by Ward Bennett in Cane and Ash
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of four cane and ash dining chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickel. Original cane and finish in great condition. New cushions upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric.
Category
1970s Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Ash
$12,000 / set
Desk Chairs by Ward Bennett
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
An adjustable height, tilting desk chair by Ward Bennett. Refinished Ash frame with new silk velvet upholstery. Two matching chairs available.
Category
1960s Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Ash
$4,200 / item
1 Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Leather Desk Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
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 Seating
Materials
Steel
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 Seating
Materials
Steel
One Midcentury Ward Bennett Landmark Cane Armchair for Brickel and Associates
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Best known for his interiors, Mr. Bennett's projects include residence in New York, London, Venice and Rome, as well as his own quarter, a Manhattan apartment atop the Dakota, a country house in Long Island and a flat in Paris. In the commercial category, works encompass a national network of showrooms for Brickel, projects for Chase Manhattan Bank and consultant plans for the Solow Building Corporation. In 1963, he began a collaboration with Brickel Associates, designing first furniture and later textiles. He is considered a prodigious designer of objects: china, glassware and silver for Tiffany & Co., flatware for Supreme; porcelain for Sasaki; and, leather goods for Hermes. Bennett designs are well represented in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection and in the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.
One midcentury Ward Bennett cane armchair
One Ward Bennett cane chair...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Cane, Oak
Scissor Chair by Ward Bennett in Original Brown Suede
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Upholstered in original brown suede. A rare piece to find in the original upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Suede
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 Seating
Materials
Metal
Ward Bennett for Brickel Black Ash Scissor Lounge Chair, Red Wool Bouclé, 1984
By Ward Bennett
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ward Bennett for Brickel Assoc. black Ash Scissor Lounge Chair, 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 Seating
Materials
Wool, Ash
$2,400 Sale Price / item
50% Off
1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
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 Seating
Materials
Steel
Set of 4 Ward Bennett Multicolor Upholstered Steam Bent Ash Dining Armchairs
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 Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Ash
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Steam Bent Ash Upholstered Chaise Lounge
By Ward Bennett
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century chaise lounge with a steam bent ash wood frame with curved arms and extended leg rest, upholstered in a lightly patterned blue fabric with horizontal channeling....
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Ash
Mid Century 1970s Pin Striped Leopold for Ward Bennett Swivel Chairs - - a Pair
By Lehigh Leopold, Ward Bennett
Located in Basel, BS
Here is a beautiful pair of very unique and highly collectable rare swivel chairs attributed to Lehigh Leopold for Ward Bennett. Extremely hard to find chairs like this in such wonderful condition!
Note: Price is for the pair
Dimensions:
29" Height
30" Width
29.5" Depth
Condition:
Excellent vintage condition!
Details:
Dimensions: 30ʺW × 29.5ʺD × 29ʺH
Number of Seats: 2
Seat Height: 17.0 in
Does it have imperfections? Some Imperfections
Original Condition Original Condition Unaltered
"Styled After": Ward Bennett
Period: 1970s
Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
Materials: Textile
Condition: Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Very good vintage condition, with age-appropriate wear and imperfections.
Shipping:
We ship insured and to your door, using...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Metal
$6,888 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 7 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Wood and Magenta Vinyl Library
By Ward Bennett
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 7 American Mid-Century library armchairs with shaped wooden frames with vertical back slats and magenta pink vinyl upholstered seats. (WARD BENNETT FOR BRICKEL ASSOCIATES)(PRI...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
One Vintage Midcentury Ward Bennett Brickel Executive Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Best known for his interiors, Mr. Bennett`s projects include residence in New York, London, Venice and Rome, as well as his own quarter, a Manhattan apartment atop the Dakota, a coun...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Chrome
1991 Ward Bennett Executive Desk Chair for Brickel Associates 12x Available
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Executive Bumper Swivel Desk Chairs, initially designed by Ward Bennett in 1969. These were produced by Brickel Associates in 1991 and are all original. The listed price in...
Category
1990s American Modern Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Steel, Bronze
1980s Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Bronze & Fabric Bucket Desk Chairs 2x
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single sculptural barrel-back desk chair, retaining its original blue fabric upholstered seat, and resting on a bronze 5-point base with Shepherd Profile casters. This chai...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
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 Seating
Materials
Steel
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 Seating
Materials
Bronze
$3,200
1960s Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Bumper Arm Chairs
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Bumper Swivel Lounge Chairs, initially designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Brickel Associates in 1964. These chairs date to the 1960s and are all original. The...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Armchair by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, 1970s
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and comfortable armchair having a fluid and bold ash frame seamlessly encasing a seat upholstered in vintage green wool fabric. Upholstery recommended.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Ash
Desk Chair by Ward Bennett
By Ward Bennett
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A desk chair with original sage upholstery, on an X-form base. Casters can be added.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Seating
Materials
Metal
$3,800 / item
Ward Bennett seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Ward Bennett seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Charles Hollis Jones, George Nelson, and Florence Knoll. Prices for Ward Bennett seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $400 and can go as high as $78,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,900.
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