Skip to main content

Wendell Castle

American, 1932-2018

Wendell Castle was an American furniture maker celebrated for his experimental creations in wood and plastic. He was one of the first to create seating, lighting and tables that resemble sculpture, otherwise known as art furniture.

A founding father of the American Studio movement, Castle was known for his craftsmanship and broke new ground in the 1960s with the stack-laminate technique, which involves layering and then sanding thin sheets of wood. In the ’70s, he transitioned to using gel-coated plastic in bright colors.

Castle integrated both mediums in his designs from the 2000s, which, like his vintage pieces, are characterized by curved, biomorphic lines and whimsical undertones (his Molar chair emphasized playfulness and a venturesome sensibility). Ever the innovator, he integrated computers and robots in his later production process to come up with wildly imaginative forms. Castle was working on a new body of work when he passed away in 2018 at the age of 85.

Find a collection of original Wendell Castle furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$2,213
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Modernist Undulating Patinated Bronze & Enamel Bowl signed Wendell Castle
By Wendell Castle
Located in New York, NY
Add an element of modernist sophistication to your collection with the Undulating Patinated Bronze & Enamel Bowl, signed by Wendell Castle, American, circa 2000. This exquisite piece...
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Wendell Castle

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Wendell Castle, Armchair, Mahogany, Velvet, USA, 1997
By Wendell Castle
Located in High Point, NC
A beige velvet and textured black-painted mahogany armchair designed and produced by Wendell Castle, USA, 1997. Seat height 18”
Category

1990s American Post-Modern Wendell Castle

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Wendell Castle Crescent Rocker
By Wendell Castle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Crescent Rocker is an iconic Example of Mr Castle's Work Executed in Zebra Wood and Upholstery. Immaculate original surface Signed and Dated
Category

1970s North American Vintage Wendell Castle

Materials

Zebra Wood

Wendell Castle Crescent Rocker
Wendell Castle Crescent Rocker
H 35 in W 40 in D 25.5 in
'Molar' Gel-Coated Fiberglass Loveseat Sofa by Wendell Castle, c. 1969
By Wendell Castle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare early production collectors piece is a circa 1969 'Molar' settee by Wendell Castle (American, 1932-2018) made from gel-coated white fiberglass with molded white rubber foot...
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Wendell Castle

Materials

Fiberglass, Rubber

Wendell Castle Game Table
By Wendell Castle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wendell Castle 2 Drawer Table executed in a combination of Maple and Birds eye Maple. an exuberant example Signed, Dated and Numbered
Category

1970s North American Vintage Wendell Castle

Materials

Maple

Wendell Castle Game Table
Wendell Castle Game Table
H 28.75 in W 33.75 in D 33.75 in
Wendell Castle Starfish Console Table in Polychromed and Stained Woods, 1995
By Wendell Castle
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exceptional console table by Wendell Castle (1932-2018), titled 'Voyage', executed in polychromed jelutong and mahogany with floating, fre...
Category

1990s American American Craftsman Wendell Castle

Materials

Other

Mod Fiberglass "Castle Chair" Sculpture Lounge Chair by Wendell Castle
By Wendell Castle
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage lounge chair from the 1970s draws inspiration from Wendell Castle's iconic castle chair, showcasing his mastery of organic, sculptural design. Crafted in vibrant orange ...
Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Wendell Castle

Materials

Plastic

Rare Signed Wendell Castle Whimsical Console Table From 1986
By Wendell Castle
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Wendell Castle, American (1932-2018). Unusual carved and lacquered wood console table raised on 4 triangular cone legs with a reverse curved top that has an attached inverted cone. S...
Category

1980s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle

Materials

Wood

Browse all Furniture from Wendell Castle
Shop Now

Wendell Castle Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2024$2,400Floor LampsBrass, Woodcirca 1970s
2024$2,025Wall Mirrors, VanitiesWood1970s
$2,213
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$2,025-$2,400
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Wendell Castle

More Wendell Castle Designs
Molar Chair
Molar Chair
Average Price
$8,014
Number Available
7
Molar Chair
By Wendell Castle
Materials
Fiberglass, Plastic
Styles
Mid Century Modern
As its name suggests, the playful silhouette of the Molar chair can be attributed to an unmistakable visual inspiration: the curves and cusps that characterize the clusters of large teeth tucked in the back corners of our mouths. Kansas-born furniture maker and educator Wendell Castle (1932–2018) began to create his singular series of Molar sofas and more in 1968, when he designed his biomorphic Molar chair. Moved by the experiments that Danish designer Verner Panton and others had been condu...
Shop All

Wendell Castle furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Wendell Castle furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Wendell Castle furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 32 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Wendell Castle were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by M. Singer & Sons, Jack Lenor Larsen, and Charles Pfister. Prices for Wendell Castle furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,800 and can go as high as $37,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,850.
Questions About Wendell Castle
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 19, 2025
    Wendell Castle is famous for his work as a designer. He was an American furniture maker celebrated for his experimental creations in wood and plastic. He was one of the first to create seating, lighting and tables that resembled sculpture. A founding father of the American Studio movement, Castle was known for his craftsmanship and broke new ground in the 1960s with the stack-laminate technique, which involves layering and then sanding thin sheets of wood. In the ’70s, he transitioned to using gel-coated plastic in bright colors. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Wendell Castle furniture.

Recently Viewed

View All