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.
Wendell Castle “Samba” Cabinet for Icon Design Sculptural Ash Wood Storage Cabin
By Wendell Castle
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning example of American furniture, the Samba Cabinet by Wendell Castle for Icon Designs reflects Castle’s signature philosophy of treating furniture as sculpture. The piece fe...
Leather, Wood
Wendell Castle, Bird of Paradise
By Wendell Castle
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Wendell Castle's "Bird of Paradise," created in 1996, is a significant piece that falls within the realm of contemporary art and furniture design. Experience the artistic brilliance...
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany, Maple
Samba Cabinet by Wendell Castle, Late 20th Century, Signed with Impressed WC.
By Wendell Castle
Located in Kansas City, MO
Samba cabinet from the Wendell Castle Collection for Icon Design, late 20th century. Finished on all sides. Hand carved and stained ash with leather pulls. Signed with WC. The drawe...
Leather, Ash
Pretty Black Chinoiserie Cupboard Decorated with Birds and Flowers
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Pretty Black Chinoiserie Cupboard Decorated with Birds and Flowers The cupboard is in black lacquer and has colourful applied and painted decoration of birds and chrysanthemums, it ...
Lacquer
Chinese Bird-and-Flower Painted Side Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The darkly lacquered front of this 19th-century Chinese locking cabinet is the perfect canvas for a traditional bird-and-flower painting. Crafted of elmwood with mortise-and-tenon jo...
Elm
Chinese Gilt Bird-and-Flower Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This small painted cabinet is an antique Chinese storage chest from the mid-19th century, a miniature version of a classic painted wedding cabinet. Crafted of elm to a simple silhoue...
Elm
French Faux Bamboo Bird's Eye Maple Cabinet
Located in Bradenton, FL
French Faux Bamboo Bird's Eye Maple Cabinet. Cabinet features a beautifully figured birds-eye-maple facade accented with carved bamboo moldings. This was an iconic decorative motif p...
Faux Bamboo, Birdseye Maple
$94,875
H 180 in W 160 in D 50 in
Original 18th Century Monumental Cabinet on Stand / Italian Bargueno / European
Located in Miami, FL
Important monumental cabinet on stand. The case of the cabinet is walnut, veneered with rich rib boned ebony and luxuriously decorated with turtle ...
Walnut, Glass
Midcentury Storage Cabinet, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- In good original condition.
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Cabinet
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful Chinese cabinet in mainly black and red lacquer with red decorations. Contains several shelves and four drawers, all with original brass hardware.
Wood
$9,800 / item
H 32 in W 84 in D 21 in
Modern Wood 'Credenza Three' Cabinet by Last Workshop in Bleached Ash
By Last Workshop
Located in Chicago, IL
"Credenza Three" by Last Workshop. Made-to-order in Chicago, IL. A sturdy yet elegant credenza featuring a matching case and door combination with a steel base. The tear-drop ste...
Steel
$47,500
H 93 in W 66 in D 21 in
Rare Early 18th Century English Carved Oak Hugh Castle Cabinet Chest Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare and impressive English Gothic Medieval style Cabinet, Circa 1714. Built during the reign of King George I in honor of Hugh Lupus the First Earl of Chester and his castle. Hu...
Glass, Oak
20th Century Antique French Cabinet
Located in Fullerton, CA
Large vintage cabinet with drawers and cabinets. There are 18 small drawers on the top half of the piece and three cabinet at the bottom, one of which has 2 shelves inside. The patin...
Wood
1960s Travertine Wood Sideboard Dresser Storage Cabinet
By American of Martinsville
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, rare travertine sideboard you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sideboard is statem...
Travertine
Late 20th Century Oak Two-Drawer Letter Size Filing Cabinet with lock
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Oak Two-Drawer Letter Size Filing Cabinet with lock. Will hold legal size and letter size file folders. Come with two keys. Measures 16" w x 16"D x 27.5"H.
Oak, Wood
Wendell Castle Cloud Wall Shelf 1969
By Wendell Castle
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Extremely rare Wendell Castle wall mounted shelf. Approximately thirty or forty examples of the Cloud shelf were produced in 1969. This work has been authe...
Molar Group cloud shelf by Wendell Castle
By Wendell Castle
Located in New York, NY
"The Black Edition" Molar Group Cloud shelf in gel-coated fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Signed and numbered. Originally designed by Wendell Castle, 1969. ...