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 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
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
Bentwood Spindle Chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Upholstered in original leather
Leather, Wood
$2,560Sale Price / item|20% Off
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...
Steel
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Metal
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...
Foam, Oak, Leather, Lacquer
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
$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
$16,750 / set
H 32 in W 23.5 in D 24.5 in
Eight All Black Ward Bennett for Brickell Associates Armchairs
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of eight all black Ward Bennett armchairs for Brickell Associates. Simple construction is all of solid wood. Newly lacquered frames, impeccably joined barrel-back and sloping arm...
Wood, Velvet
$1,950 / item
H 33.5 in W 27 in D 26 in
1969 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Bumper Desk Chair in Leather
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (multiple chairs are available, though the price listed is for each chair) Bumper bucket desk chair designed by Ward Benn...
Steel
$1,299 / item
H 35 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Leather Chairs by Ward Bennett for Bricket Associates (Several Available)
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A classic desk chair in dark midnight blue almost black leather by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates with original 5 star chrome base and rolling ...
Chrome
Desk Chair by Ward Bennett
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
A high back, adjustable height, tilting desk chair by Ward Bennett. Refinished Ash frame with new Holly Hunt upholstery.
Ash
$2,400 / set
H 32.5 in W 23 in D 24 in
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...
Steel
Leather Office Chair by Ward Bennett for Bricket Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
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...
Chrome
Vintage Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Swivel Lounges
By Brickel Associates, Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin, Ward Bennett
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage swivel lounges designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, circa 1970s. We are offering 18 of these lounges to be reupholstered in your choice of fabric- per the listing...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$4,000
H 40 in W 25 in D 24 in
1980s Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Desk Chair in Leather and Ash Frame
By Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a desk chair, originally designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. This particular example was produced in the 1980s. The design features a barrel-back ash wood frame ...
Chrome
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
$1,700 / item
H 30.75 in W 25 in D 21 in
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...
Cane, Oak
Sold
H 31 in W 22 in D 25 in
1970s Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Arm Chairs in Green Fabric
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a pair of original dining / side chairs designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Brickel Associates. This pair came from an office in Manhattan, which had been des...
Cotton, Wood
Pair of Ward Bennett Library Chairs
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in New York, NY
These "Banker" chairs were designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates in the 1980s. They are comprised of oak frame and newly reupholstered in a smooth, comfortable short pile v...
Velvet, Oak
Sold
H 34 in W 24 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Modern Cane Armchairs in Oak by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome armchair designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Brickel Associates. It features solid high quality construction in oak, with caned backs, and new seat upholstery. Manufa...
Fabric, Cane, Oak
Sold
H 32.5 in W 22.5 in D 25 in
Ward Bennett Brickel Associates Ash & Burgundy Leather Chairs, Set of Four
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, elegant leather armchairs. Made from ash wood and stained in a walnut finish, upholstered in burgundy leather. Stunning set of chairs...
Ash, Leather
Sold
H 32 in W 24 in D 19 in
Pair of 1960's Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Midcentury Ash & Tan Chairs
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, elegant armchairs. Made from ash wood and stained in a walnut finish. Marked with makers tag. Sold as a pair.
Wool, Ash
Ward Bennett Cane Landmark Lounge Chair with Red Cushion
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Renowned American designer Ward Bennett is hailed by the American Institute of Architects for “transforming Industrial hardware into sublime objects.” Using Industrial grade material...
Cane, Bentwood
Sold
H 34 in W 24 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Modern Cane Armchairs in Oak by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome matching pair of armchairs designed by Ward Bennett and produced by Brickel Associates. The features solid high quality construction in oak, with caned backs, and new seat...
Fabric, Cane, Oak
1 Ward Bennett Landmark Bankers Cane Chair by Brickel 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 and Company; 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. Vintage midcentury set of 4 cane chairs by Ward Bennett...
Ash
Ward Bennett 1550 University Black Ash Armchair for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Miami, FL
With a 1984 tag from Brickel Associates, this Ward Bennett chair named The 1550 University carved-wood frame armchair was first designed in 1970 for the LBJ Library at the University of Texas, in Austin. Johnson requested that the seat evoke a cross between a barroom armchair, a courtroom chair...
Ash
Sold
H 32 in W 23 in D 23 in
Vintage Pair of Landmark Cane Chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
Brickel Associates Ward Bennett Quite simply, there is no area of art and design in which Ward Bennett has not been involved. His career evolved from his teen years onward, when he left home at 13 and began traveling at 16. Travel, he says has continually been a prevailing influence on his work. Early on, he undertook various studies in the fine arts including drawing at the Porto Romano...
Cane
Sold
H 31 in W 21 in D 23 in
Set of Four Black Side Dining Chairs by Ward Bennet for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of four Mid-Century Modern frame sides design side chairs. Very solid construction and sharp look. Ebonised finish with solid wood upholstery.
Wool, Upholstery, Oak
Pair of Ward Bennett 'Scissor Chairs' for Brickel
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Astoria, NY
A pair of 'Scissor' lounge chairs designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates of Wisconsin, manufactured circa 1970s, each with rich stained wood frames, upholstered in deep burg...
Leather, Wood