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Wendell Castle Settees

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.

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Creator: Wendell Castle
'Molar' Gel-Coated Fiberglass Loveseat Sofa by Wendell Castle, c. 1969
'Molar' Gel-Coated Fiberglass Loveseat Sofa by Wendell Castle, c. 1969

'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 Settees

Materials

Fiberglass, Rubber

Wendell Castle Molar Group Settee
Wendell Castle Molar Group Settee

Wendell Castle Molar Group Settee

By Wendell Castle

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An authentic Molar Group settee This example has been Re-Gel Coated.

Category

1960s American Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Fiberglass, Rubber

Molar Settee by Wendell Castle
Molar Settee by Wendell Castle

Molar Settee by Wendell Castle

By Wendell Castle

Located in Atlanta, GA

A molar settee or loveseat designed by Wendell Castle and manufactured by Beylerian, circa 1970s. The molar series is a playful design from Wendell Castle...

Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Fiberglass

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Wendell Castle settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Wendell Castle settees 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 settees, although red editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original settees by Wendell Castle were created in the modern style in united states during the 20th century. Prices for Wendell Castle settees can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,950 and can go as high as $9,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,250.

Creators Similar to Wendell Castle

Questions About Wendell Castle Settees
  • 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.