Skip to main content

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.

to
1
4
4
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
4
2
2
4
3
1
1
1
4
4
1
4
4
4
4
4
23
31
26
20
18
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

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

Related Items
Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen
Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen

Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen

$4,200

H 30.5 in W 59.5 in D 29 in

Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen

By Frits Henningsen

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Elegant Danish settee or loveseat from circa 1950s by Master Furniture Maker, Frits Henningsen Solid and sturdy small piece with a strong presence and charming demeanor. Coil springs...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Wool, Beech

1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa

1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa

By Paul McCobb

Located in St. Louis, MO

Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Finn Juhl Style Sofa or Loveseat by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1940s
Finn Juhl Style Sofa or Loveseat by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1940s

Finn Juhl Style Sofa or Loveseat by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1940s

By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Finn Juhl

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Superbly elegant Finn Juhl style sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s. Perfectly balanced lines and proportions providing for a solid and sturdy ...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Wool, Beech

Antique Wicker Loveseat by Larkin & Co., Arts and Crafts Style, USA
Antique Wicker Loveseat by Larkin & Co., Arts and Crafts Style, USA

Antique Wicker Loveseat by Larkin & Co., Arts and Crafts Style, USA

By Larkin & Co.

Located in Southampton, NJ

American Victorian natural wicker woven roll design high back loveseat with spindles and bobbins on the back and apron and cane seat. The settee fea...

Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Brass

Danish 1950s Settee with Wooden Armrest by Orla Mølgaard Amber Colored Frame
Danish 1950s Settee with Wooden Armrest by Orla Mølgaard Amber Colored Frame

Danish 1950s Settee with Wooden Armrest by Orla Mølgaard Amber Colored Frame

By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1950s settee raised on a amber colored beech frame and legs. Attributed to Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. We love how the armrests continue into the front l...

Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Wool, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa
Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa

Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa

$2,800

H 35 in W 64 in D 27 in

Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa

By Peter Hvidt

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This unique midcentury sofa features stylish curved armrests, original studded upholstery, and a unique finish. Please confirm item location (NY or ...

Category

1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Upholstery

'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed

'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed

$9,500Sale Price|24% Off

H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in

'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed

By Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...

Category

1990s Italian Bauhaus Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Steel

Finn Juhl Attributed Danish Loveseat Model 188 by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1950s DN
Finn Juhl Attributed Danish Loveseat Model 188 by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1950s DN

Finn Juhl Attributed Danish Loveseat Model 188 by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1950s DN

By Finn Juhl, Slagelse Mobelvaerk

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Superbly elegant Finn Juhl attributed sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s as Model Number 188. The lines and proportions of this design are just...

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Wool, Beech

19th Century Italian Venetian Grotto Settee by Pauly et Cie
19th Century Italian Venetian Grotto Settee by Pauly et Cie

19th Century Italian Venetian Grotto Settee by Pauly et Cie

By Pauly et Cie

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Venetian Grotto (19th cent.) silver gilt settee with triple seashell seat and dolphin & seahorse motif (att: Pauly et Cie, Venice)

Category

19th Century Italian Romantic Antique Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Silver Leaf

PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed
PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed

PK-31 Settee by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen, 1960s Denmark, Signed

By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This highly collected early production original of the PK-31 loveseat sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen has beautifully aged black leather and patinated steel. Designed...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Steel

Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s
Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s

Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s

$8,800

H 34 in W 70 in D 32 in

Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s

By Marco Zanuso

Located in New York, NY

Chic Mid-Century Modern sofa with brass legs in the style of Marco Zanuso. Italy, 1960's. Newly upholstered in pebble color JAB indoor/outdoor fabric by Venfield.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Brass, Steel

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat Sofa by ISA Bergamo
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat Sofa by ISA Bergamo

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat Sofa by ISA Bergamo

$3,259Sale Price|20% Off

H 26.38 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Two-Seat Sofa by ISA Bergamo

By ISA Bergamo

Located in London, GB

Elegant and inviting, this Italian two-seat sofa showcases the refined proportions and understated sophistication characteristic of Mid-Century Modern design. Upholstered in a vibran...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Wendell Castle Molar Settee and Pair of Chairs, Original Black Gel Coat Finish
Wendell Castle Molar Settee and Pair of Chairs, Original Black Gel Coat Finish

Wendell Castle Molar Settee and Pair of Chairs, Original Black Gel Coat Finish

By Wendell Castle

Located in Kansas City, MO

Rare, original, molar settee / loveseat and pair of molar chairs designed by Wendell Castle and manufactured by Beylerian, circa 1970s. All pieces retain ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

Materials

Plastic, Fiberglass, Rubber

Wendell Castle Molar Group Settee
Wendell Castle Molar Group Settee

Wendell Castle Molar Group Settee

Sold

H 27 in W 48 in D 30 in

Wendell Castle Molar Group Settee

By Wendell Castle

Located in Culver City, CA

A stunning iconic piece of design. This molar group settee is made of a gel coated fiberglass reinforced plastic and was designed in 1969 by Wendell Castle.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Wendell Castle Settees

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.

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.