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.
Stunning Ward Bennett Stone and Aluminum Dining Table by Lehigh Furniture
By Ward Bennett
Located in Miami, FL
Ward Bennett Stone and Aluminum Dining Table by Lehigh Furniture. Beautiful stone top on aluminum base. Please see all pictures.
Stone, Metal
Ward Bennett Brass and Mahogany Dining / Game Table
By Ward Bennett
Located in Dallas, TX
A dining / game table with solid brass base and book-matched flamed mahogany top designed by Ward Bennett.
Brass
Ward Bennett Frosted Glass and Aluminum Dining Table/Desk, 1960
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Ward Bennett Frosted Glass and aluminum legs Dining Table/Desk, 1960. Chairs are sold in separate listing. Measures 28.25” tall 78” long 30.25” deep
Aluminum
$5,779
H 31.11 in W 79.14 in D 39.77 in
Dining Table in Mahogany, Rosewood and Brushed Brass, Italy, 1960s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Italian design from the 1960s often balanced boldness with subtle detailing. This vintage dining table is no exception. Combining sculptural lines with rich materials, it reflects a ...
Brass
$5,995
H 29.25 in W 100 in D 40.25 in
Henredon Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Mahogany and Brass Extension Dining Table
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie extension dining table By Henredon USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous mahogany, with etched brass accents. Measures: 68"W x...
Brass
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.25 in W 28 in D 28 in
1970s Mastercraft Sculptural Brass Dining / Game / Center Table Base
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking 1970s Mastercraft brass dining or game table base exemplifies the bold sculptural glamour for which the American luxury manufacturer is celebrated. Crafted in brass wit...
Brass
Lion in Frost Lucite & Glass Dining Table Signed
By Lion in Frost
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A 1979 Sculptural Mid Century Modern Lucite Dining Table...
Glass, Lucite
$4,800
H 29 in W 50 in D 50 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany and Brass Round Dining Table or Game Table
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern round dining, table, game table, or center table By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950...
Brass
Glass-Top Aluminum and Brass Base Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Tubular aluminum legs segmented with brass rings, brass feet, and caps. The base supports a thick ( .75") plate glass top. The top has a generous overhang to making it comfo...
Aluminum, Brass
Chrome and Glass Oval Dining Table, France 1950-1960
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Oval dining/center table with a smoked glass top and tulip-shaped base of cast aluminum and black moulded plastic.
Dining Table by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Round dinette table by Founders on caster wheels. Simple round design with cross stretchers and brass caps. Opens to accommodate leaves.
Brass
Ward Bennett Attribution, Side Tables, Mahogany, Marble, USA, 1970s
By Ward Bennett
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of mahogany and marble side tables attributed to Ward Bennett for Brickel & Associates, USA, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20.125"H x 19.75"W x 19.75"D All ite...
Marble
Walnut Dining Table by Blowing Rock Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish mid-century modern dining table made by Blowing Rock is crafted in walnut with a decorative base. The legs are connected by a cross bar with three additional curving sup...
Walnut
Herbert Saiger for Woodard Round Dining Table in Aluminum and Glass
By Herbert Saiger
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Herbert Saiger for Woodard, round dining table, aluminum, glass, United States, 1960s Originally designed as outdoor furniture, this smooth dining or centre table by Herbert Saiger ...
Aluminum
Ward Bennett for Brickel Polished Steel Claw Cocktail Table
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Circular cocktail table comprised of a glass top supported by a polished steel three legged base. The glass sits on a triform steel stretcher with claw like ends where it meets the l...
Steel
Ward Bennett Burl and Brass Dining Table for Brickell Assoc, 1978
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Ward Bennett dining table for Brickel Associates. Fully restored. Polished brass base with refinished burl wood top.
Brass
Ward Bennett I-Beam Walnut Dining Table for Brickell Assoc. 1978
By Ward Bennett
Located in Chicago, IL
Ward Bennett I-Beam blackened steel dining table for Brickel Associates, circa 1978. Refinished walnut top 36 x 36.
Steel
Large Ward Bennett Conference Dining Table with Rosewood Top
By Ward Bennett
Located in New York, NY
Interesting three section dining or conference table designed by Ward Bennett for Lehigh Furniture. This table consists of three separate square top tables (each 42" square), each ha...
Aluminum
Oval Writing Table by Ward Bennett
By Lehigh Furniture Company, Ward Bennett
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Oval desk, writing or dining table by Ward Bennett for Lehigh Furniture Company.
Aluminum