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Ward Bennett Slipper Chairs

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

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 Slipper Chairs

Materials

Wool, Ash

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 Slipper Chairs

Materials

Wool, Ash

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1982 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Bankers Chair in Lacquered Ash & Mohair
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H 33 in W 24 in D 30 in

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Ward Bennett Brickel Red Mohair Upholstered Swivel Tub Lounge Chair With Ottoman
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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...

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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

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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...

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Scandinavian Modern Scissor Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX
Scandinavian Modern Scissor Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX

Scandinavian Modern Scissor Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX

$2,246Sale Price|25% Off

H 27.5 in W 25.25 in D 31 in

Scandinavian Modern Scissor Lounge Chair by Folke Ohlsson for DUX

By Dux of Sweden, Folke Ohlsson

Located in Topeka, KS

Handsome and iconic Scandinavian Modern Scissor lounge chair designed by Folke Ohlsson for DUX. It is in wonderful vintage condition. The wood frame has been restored; however, there may still be small signs of age. We did have to fill some rather deep flaws in the wood. The straps have been replaced with appropriate new straps. And the foam cushions are new and newly upholstered. Please see photos, circa 1950s. Now you can get all your DUX in a row!! Sorry, I couldn’t resist. This is the iconic and beautiful Scissor Lounge Chair. It was designed by Folke Ohlsson for his company DUX, Inc. purportedly in 1949. It is so incredible in its simplicity and when viewed from the side you can see immediately where it got its name. We are very excited about this wonderful chair here at our shop. Its walnut frame has been completely restored and we have replaced all the straps, which were beyond repair, with proper strapping. Plus, we have made new foam cushions and upholstered them in a fabulous black and taupe horizontal stripe fabric. Folke Ohlsson is a Scandinavian Modern Swedish furniture...

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1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair with Red Fabric
1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair with Red Fabric

1984 Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Dining Chair with Red Fabric

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Located in Philadelphia, PA

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1 Ward Bennett Tufted Lounge Chair
1 Ward Bennett Tufted Lounge Chair

1 Ward Bennett Tufted Lounge Chair

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1 Ward Bennett Tufted Lounge Chair

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Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Landmark Sculpted Ash Upholstered Tub Chairs
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Landmark Sculpted Ash Upholstered Tub Chairs

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Previously Available Items
Ward Bennett Pair of Beautiful "Sled Chairs" 1970s ‘Signed’
Ward Bennett Pair of Beautiful "Sled Chairs" 1970s ‘Signed’

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Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Chrome Scissor Chair

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Located in New Windsor, NY

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Ward Bennett "Sled Chairs", 1970s
Ward Bennett "Sled Chairs", 1970s

Ward Bennett "Sled Chairs", 1970s

Sold

H 30 in W 27 in D 29 in

Ward Bennett "Sled Chairs", 1970s

By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Pair of beautifully crafted “Sled Chairs” No. 1060P in mirror-finished stainless steel with hand-stitched glove leather seat pads over woven rattan by Ward Bennett for Brickell, Amer...

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Ward Bennett Scissor Chairs
Ward Bennett Scissor Chairs

Ward Bennett Scissor Chairs

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H 34 in W 24 in D 30 in

Ward Bennett Scissor Chairs

By Ward Bennett

Located in Chicago, IL

Scissor chairs designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel. Ebonized ashwood frames with smooth black leather upholstery.

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1960s American Vintage Ward Bennett Slipper Chairs

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Sleek Chrome Lounge Chair by Ward Bennett for Geiger
Sleek Chrome Lounge Chair by Ward Bennett for Geiger

Sleek Chrome Lounge Chair by Ward Bennett for Geiger

By Ward Bennett

Located in Atlanta, GA

Sleek Chrome Lounge Chair, designed by Ward Bennett for Geiger, circa 1980's. It has been recently reupholstered in a charcoal gray faux velvet. The chrome frame has been hand polished.

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Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ward Bennett Slipper Chairs

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Ward Bennett Scissor Lounges
Ward Bennett Scissor Lounges

Ward Bennett Scissor Lounges

Sold

H 33 in W 24 in D 30 in

Ward Bennett Scissor Lounges

By Ward Bennett

Located in Chicago, IL

Ward Bennet Lounges, one of His most comfortable designs, these with rare built in pillows. Reupholstered with Spinney Beck Leather

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1960s American Vintage Ward Bennett Slipper Chairs

Materials

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Scissor Chair By Ward Bennett
Scissor Chair By Ward Bennett

Scissor Chair By Ward Bennett

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H 34 in W 24 in D 32 in

Scissor Chair By Ward Bennett

By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A dramatic (and comfortable) high-back scissor-legged slipper chair with black ebonized ash frame and black upholstery.

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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ward Bennett Slipper Chairs

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Pair of "Sled Chairs" by Ward Bennett
Pair of "Sled Chairs" by Ward Bennett

Pair of "Sled Chairs" by Ward Bennett

Sold

H 30 in W 27 in D 29 in

Pair of "Sled Chairs" by Ward Bennett

By Ward Bennett

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Pair of beautifully crafted "Sled Chairs" No. 1060P in mirror-finished solid stainless steel with hand-stitched glove leather seat pads by Ward Bennett for Brickell, American 1980's...

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Late 20th Century American Ward Bennett Slipper Chairs

Rare Scissor Chair by Ward Bennett
Rare Scissor Chair by Ward Bennett

Rare Scissor Chair by Ward Bennett

Sold

H 34 in W 23 in D 27 in

Rare Scissor Chair by Ward Bennett

By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Early and rare Scissor Chair in oak by Ward Bennett for Brickel Furniture, American 1970's

Category

1970s American Vintage Ward Bennett Slipper Chairs

Ward Bennett slipper chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Ward Bennett slipper chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wool and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ward Bennett slipper chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Ward Bennett slipper chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,360 and can go as high as $6,720, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,040.