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 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....
Ash
Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Desk Conference Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bumper desk chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Ward Bennett for Brickel and Associates Task Chair Bronze 4-star swivel conference room chair in a green tweed fabric....
Fabric
$850Sale Price|22% Off
H 32.25 in W 23 in D 21.5 in
Ward Bennett Steam-Bent Oak and Cane Armchair for Brickel Associates, c. 1970s
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully crafted caned armchair designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. This iconic piece features a steam-bent oak frame with a sculptural silhouette and tightly woven...
Oak, Cane
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 23 in D 24.5 in
Ward Bennett For Brickel Associates Ebonized Ash & Cane "Landmark" Lounge Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dayton, OH
This vintage lounge chair is a variation of Bennett's famous Landmark design, originally designed in 1964 to emulate classic English forms. Structured with a fluid bentwood ash frame...
Cane, Ash
$16,750 / set
H 32 in W 23.5 in D 24.5 in
Set of 8 Deep Green Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Armchairs
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Dallas, TX
Looking for something that can complement everything in the house? Offered is a rare find, Ward Bennett MR11858 armchairs for Brickel Associates, circa 1970s. Simplicity and elegance...
Velvet, Wood
Ward Bennett Bent Wood Armchairs for Brickel Associates - A Pair
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed in the 1970s by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, these armchairs were made in the 1980s. They are remarkable for their bentwood frames, which give their curve...
Upholstery, Ash
$400Sale Price / item|88% Off
H 32 in W 24 in D 24 in
1 Ward Bennett For Brickel Fabric Upholstered Arm Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
A more traditional take on Ward Bennett's Banker chairs. Designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel. Cherry frames with rich floral upholstery. 4 available. 24 x 24 x 32
Fabric, Cherry
Ward Bennett Upholstered Desk Chair for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ward Bennett upholstered desk chair for Brickel Associates, c.1960s, USA. This chair features a curved frame and all over upholstery. The chair has both a tilt and swivel mechanism a...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Armchairs by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a distinctive look to your seating area with this pair of sleek club chairs model no.Q2083 by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, 1960s. Featuring a tub form with tapered side...
Fabric, Mahogany
Unavailable|$11,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 22.5 in D 25 in
Set of 4 Chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of four (4) 'Bankers' chairs in natural oiled walnut with the original coquille upholstery.
Upholstery, Walnut
Four Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Armchairs
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Dallas, TX
Captivating set of four pull-up chairs model 1072, designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, circa 1970's. These armchairs are a perfect example of Bennett's ability to blend ...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,995 / set
H 32.5 in W 23.5 in D 24 in
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Landmark Sculpted Ash Upholstered Tub Chairs
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Modern "Landmark" club chairs, tub chairs, or armchairs By Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates USA, Circa 1980s Sculpted ash frame, with upholstered seat an...
Upholstery, Ash
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...
Upholstery, Wood