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.
Vintage Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Swivel Lounges
By Ward Bennett, Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Brickel Associates
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
Caned Desk Chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel, Mid-20th Century
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Southampton, NY
Caned desk chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel, Mid-20th Century Made of solid ash barrel back frame with caned back and sides, beautif...
Cane, Ash
Vintage Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Swivel Lounges - Set of 14
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage swivel lounges designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, circa 1970s. We are offering 14 of these lounges to be reupholstered in your choice of fabric. Purchase a pair...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$6,894Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Metal
Barrel-Back Desk Chair by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates
By Ward Bennett
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A barrel-back desk chair with the original channel-stitched black leather upholstery, on an X-form caster base. Please inquire for upholstery options.
Chrome
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...
Metal, Chrome
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
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...
Chrome
$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
$1,645Sale Price|30% 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
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.5 in W 30 in D 30 in
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Tufted Barrel Back Swivel Lounge Chair Mid Century
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Wayne, NJ
Mid-Century Modern swiveling 360 and reclining rocker club chair. It has a shiny brown upholstery, so is showing some white glare in the photos
Upholstery, Wood
$2,975 / set
H 36.23 in W 34.65 in D 31.5 in
H.W. Klein for Bramin Leather Swivel Lounge Chairs, Denmark 1970s
By H.W. Klein, Bramin Mobler
Located in Almelo, NL
H.W. Klein for Bramin leather Swivel lounge chairs, Denmark 1970s This vintage leather swivel lounge chair, designed by H.W. Klein for Bramin in Denmark during the 1970s, is a beaut...
Leather, Wood
$14,850 / set
H 32 in W 37.75 in D 33 in
Pair Swivel Lounge Chairs Model 421 by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Pierre Paulin lounge chairs model 421 made by Artifort, circa 1970. Both chairs are in very good condition and ready to use. The swivel mechanism works perfectly. Rare and fi...
Chrome
$4,800
H 24 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Milo Baughman style Midcentury Brown Velvet Tub Swivel Armchair in COM
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
A perfectly proportioned swivel armchair in the style of Milo Baughman. USA, circa 1970. Unsigned. Offered in COM (Clients Own Material); reupholstery labor cost included in price; buyer to provide material (9 yards of fabric...
Metal
$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
$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
Sumptuous Swivel Ward Bennett Tufted Red Leather Club Chairs
By Ward Bennett
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Luxurious pair of barrel back swivel club chairs with deep button tufting and soft muted brick red leather upholstery. Even the swivel underneath is leather clad.
Leather
$1,299 / item
H 35 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Leather Chairs by Ward Bennett for Bricket Associates (Several Available)
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
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
1 Ward Bennett Oak Mohair Bankers Executive Chair Bronze Base
By Ward Bennett
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Ward Bennett oak mohair executive chair Designed 1967 Rare version of task chair. Original mohair upholstery with oak frames. Bronze adjustable...
Bronze
Vintage Ward Bennet Swivel Chairs- a pair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Roanoke, VA
Sleek and elegant pair of swivel chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, American 1960s. The chairs are in excellent restored condition and have been newly recovered in a luxu...
Textile, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 27 in D 27 in
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Tufted Blue Leather Swivel Office Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century swivel office chair with a button-tufted dark blue leather upholstered seat resting on a brushed brass pedestal base with five legs ending in brass and black pla...
Brass
Pair of Ward Bennet Swivel Channel Back Lounge Chairs
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Ward Bennet Swivel Channel Back Lounge Chairs. Reupholstered with Spinneybeck leather Dimensions: 28" High 28" wide 30" deep 16.50 Seat Height
Leather
Pair of Ward Bennett Tufted Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Ward Bennett
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Ward Bennett Tufted Swivel Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel Light Red Upholstered Swivel Tub Lounge Chairs
By Ward Bennett
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century swivel lounge chairs with tub forms and plush rounded backs with a central channel, upholstered in light red fabric, resting on swivel plinth bases. (WAR...
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
Caned Desk Chair by Ward Bennett
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
A fully restored, caned tilt / swivel desk chair designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel. Several available. Priced individually.
Ash
Pair Ward Bennett Chairs for Brickel Associates Inc
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring a distinctive look to your living room seating area with these sleek club chairs model no.Q2083 by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, American 1960s. Luxuriant and enveloping, these barrel back form with pleated back and tapered sides are extremely comfortable and elegant. All on recessed mahogany legs fully upholstered in green velvet provides comfort in the most luxurious way. The chairs are in excellent restored condition and have been reupholstered back to their original integrity. The chairs have a wonderful proportions and look amazing from every angle. Ward Bennett was an American designer, artist and sculptor. His career began at age 13, despite attending art schools in Florence and Paris, he was mostly self-taught, with skills ranging from jewelry-making to interior design. His reputation earned him many high-profile clients. Lyndon Johnson later asked Bennett to design a chair for his presidential library—“a cross between a barroom chair and a courtroom chair...
Velvet, Wood
Ward Bennett Caned Desk Chair for Brickel Associates
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Round Rock, TX
Offered is a beautiful and rare fully caned desk chair designed by Ward Bennett, and produced by Brickel Associates. We have a total of three available. Please note the upholstery is...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 31 in D 31 in
Pair of Ward Bennet for Lehigh Leopold Tufted Swivel Club Chairs, 1960s, Signed
By Ward Bennett, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of swiveling club chairs by Ward Bennet for Lehigh Leopold is for true collectors - for those who love everything all-original and with gorgeous light patina and light leather distressing (and the leather on these lounge chairs are so beautiful for those who love lightly distressed leather!). But the best part in my opinion is that these also have their original labels still in-tact underneath and with those old school nail heads that you only see on items from the 1970s and earlier. While the design is indisputably Ward Bennet for Lehigh Furniture, having the labels is something you hardly ever find on these chairs and is so important for collectors. Nothing on these chairs are missing and everything is all-original with no condition issues (just that gorgeous leather patina with light distressing). Collectors, eat your hearts out but hurry because you now have to compete with all the art and design investors overseas who are buying up Mid-Century Americana items...
Steel
Caned Desk Chair by Ward Bennett
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
A fully caned tilt / swivel desk chair designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel. Several available.
Ash
Ward Bennett Tufted Leather Club Chair
By Ward Bennett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome Design Elegant royal blue leather Rare architectural walnut swivel base Great for any occasion; living room, office or studio.
Leather