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Woodard Furniture Co.

American

Woodard Furniture Company’s diverse offerings have included everything from pine caskets to premium patio furniture over the years.

Lyman E. Woodward founded the family business Woodard Brothers (he dropped the second w for his venture’s name), later Woodard Furniture Co., in Owosso, Michigan, in 1866.

Woodard Furniture produced wood furniture such as birch and oak bedroom pieces, window and door blinds and even pine caskets. Demand for the latter increased during the spread of the Spanish flu in America, and Woodard’s casket business — a new company called Owosso Casket Company — thrived, becoming the largest casket manufacturer in the world throughout the 1920s. Two U.S. presidents, William McKinley and Benjamin Harrison, were buried in Owosso caskets.

On the furniture side, Lyman’s son Lee Woodard spun off his own business as Lee L. Woodard and Sons, opening a shop with his sons, Joseph, Lyman II and Russell Woodard.

During the 1930s, the new company explored the use of metal in furniture-making and introduced a wrought-iron set of patio dining furniture featuring ornate grillwork inspired by French design called Orleans in 1940. The line became a best seller and kick-started the company’s international reputation as a patio-furniture maker, even as the Woodard factory subsequently shifted toward supporting the wartime efforts in manufacturing parts for trucks and military equipment. After World War II, the business returned to making furniture.

Over the years, Woodard and Sons would go on to master metallurgy in furniture making, developing expertise in wrought iron, cast aluminum and tubular aluminum for both indoor and outdoor pieces. While the business started with more traditional styles of furnishings, the company would go on to embrace mid-century modernism. In fact, one of Woodard’s most famous pieces is 1956’s Sculptura chair, variously credited over the years to Russell and/or Joseph.

The Sculptura was reportedly the first sculpted chair made without molds. Not unlike Harry Bertoia’s elegant steel-wire Side chair (also a mid-century darling) in its undulating form, the Sculptura chair, which is composed entirely of enameled woven wrought-iron wire, bears similarity to Eero Saarinen’s Womb chair and Charles and Ray Eames’s DAX chair.

The beloved Sculptura chair was added to the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum’s permanent collection in 1994.

While the Woodard business is no longer in family hands, the company continues to produce fine patio furniture today and even reintroduced the Sculptura chair in 2015 as nostalgia for mid-century modernism gained steam again. 

Find vintage Woodard wrought-iron patio chairs, spun fiberglass dining tables and more for sale on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Woodard Furniture Co.
Pair of Woodard Glass Top Wrought Iron Side Tables
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Woodard glass top tables with wrought iron and mesh steel base. Recently powder coated in matte black finish. New glides added to feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Set of 4 Mid Century Danish Modern Woodard Sculptura Low Profile Side Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co., John Woodard
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a set of 4 mid century Danish modern woodard sculptura side chairs designed by John Woodard, circa 1956 for the 'Sculptura' line. Feat...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Two Woodard Sculptura Round Top Side Tables in Gloss Black
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Two Woodard occasional tables from the sculpture series. 20" diameter tops sit at 19" tall galley surrounding the top adds 2" to height. Both ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Woodard Company Mesh Outdoor Patio Lounge Chair with Leaf Pattern Arms
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of four Russell Woodard designed wireframe outdoor patio chairs with leaf pattern arms and mesh steel seats. More are available upon request. All outdoor furniture can be repaint...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Steel

Pr. Sculptura Chantilly Rose Lounge Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional pair of Woodard Sculpture Satellite lounge chairs, in turquoise paint finish. Both are in very good condition, clean and ready to use. We offer custom powder coating if you prefer a different finish. Offered and priced as a pair. Please view our extensive collection of vintage garden, patio, and poolside furniture...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Set of 4 Mid Century Danish Modern Woodard Sculptura Mesh Side Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co., John Woodard
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a set of 4 mid century Danish modern woodard sculptura side chairs designed by John Woodard, circa 1956 for the 'Sculptura' line. Feat...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Sculptura Lounge
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid-century Woodard Sculptura high back lounge chair in very fine condition, clean and ready to use. This is a hard to find form, not often seen on the market. Currently in an exub...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Set of '10' Mid Century Russell Woodard Sculptura Mesh Sculpted Patio Armchairs
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Set of (10) mid century Russell Woodard sculptura mesh organically sculpted Patio armchairs. Very Iconic Designed outdoor Patio Chairs. All chairs are original Circa 1960 - they have...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Steel

Woodard Sculptura Stool, Ottoman, Footrest in Metal Mesh and Wrought Iron
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Rare Woodard Sculptura ottoman footrest, ottoman, stool, in very good, clean and ready to use condition. This form is sought after, and not o...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Russell Woodard Woven Spun Fiberglass Swivel Rolling Club Lounge Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Russell Woodard woven spun fiberglass swivel rolling club lounge chairs and ottoman. Item features woven spun fiberglass frames, (2) swivel rolling club chairs...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Fiberglass

Completely Restored Woodard Full Size Wrought Iron Couch in Black Powder Coat
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Wrought iron with steel mesh couch by Woodard. From the sculpture line fresh modernist design. Maybe the best available, finished in gloss black powder coat ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Russell Woodard Mid-Century Modern White Mesh Sculptura High Back Lounge Chair
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard for Woodard mesh Sculptura high back lounge chair. Older white paint, shows some wear, loss to paint. Can be sandblasted, dipped in rust-prohibitor...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Iron

Woodard Sculptura Armchairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of original Woodard Sculptura armchairs. A versatile option for outdoor entertaining, this set is dining chair height so can be used with a pati...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Iron

Midcentury Rocking Chair by Lee Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautifully designed sculptural rocker by Lee Woodard, with tufted leather body and brass railing. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer)...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Brass

Round Metal Mesh Top Garden Table
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Metal dining height garden table. Mesh top on tubular structure frame, suitable for indoor/ outdoor use.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Metal

Russell Woodard Round Table and Four Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Aluminum Russell woodard black tinted glass top table and chairs by Lee L. Woodard & Sons. Table is 42" diameter x 28.5" H. chairs are black...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Metal

Regency Side Chairs with Bronze Accents by Russel Woodard, Set
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Elegant Mid-century set of four iron Regency style side chairs with bronze scrollwork accents, in curvilinear dynamic form and tufted gold velvet cushions.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Modernist Woodard Iron Dining Table
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Circular mesh top patio, garden table. Interesting modernist design, original condition, paint finish shows some wear, top paint shows variation in color, as shown.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Iron

Pair of 1950s Woodard Pinecrest Mesh Iron Patio/Outdoor Lounge Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A Pair of Woodard Pinecrest rod iron outdoor/patio chairs with distinct curved modernist backrests. This chair is constructed with solid core iron rods and is finished in your choice...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Iron

Russell Woodard MCM Polished Aluminum Dinette Set with Round Table and 4 Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Russell Woodard polished aluminum dinette set. This is a fantastic mid century modern set of rare Russell Woodard furniture. Known for his patio furniture, this Woodard dinette set is meant for indoor use. This set includes a round, smoked glass dinette table...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Aluminum

Mid Century Modern Set of 4 Woodard Scuptura Black Wrought Iron Patio Chairs
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This set of four Woodard Sculptura Black Wrought Iron Patio Chairs is a stunning blend of vintage appeal and enduring quality. Featuring the iconic Sculptura design, these chairs boa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Woodard Wrought Iron with Steel Mesh Settees Recently Powder Coated
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
Russell Woodard sculptura series pair of settees. Wrought iron frames support thinner wire mesh seat and back rests. Properly restored finished in gloss black powder coat. New foot g...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Russell Woodard Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Side Table or Drinks Stand
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round side or drinks table often see along side his Sculptura line chairs and settees. This table has been blasted, dipped in rust inhibitor and repainted sa...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Wrought Iron

Gloss Black Wrought Iron and Mesh Steel Settee by Russell Lee Woodard Co.
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
A wrought iron and mesh settee by Russell Lee Woodard Co. Properly restored in gloss black powder coat with new foot glides installed.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Steel, Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Modern Woodard 2 Tier Metal & Glass Rolling Serving Bar Cart, 1970s
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a wonderful, rolling bar or service cart, with two glass tops, by Woodard, circa the 1970s. In excellent vintage condition. The dimensions are 36" W x 21" D...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Metal

Rare Woodard Spun Fiberglass Bar Stool Set
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Woodard spun fiberglass bar stool set with original floral cushions.
Category

1960s American Vintage Woodard Furniture Co.

Materials

Fiberglass

Woodard Furniture Co. furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Woodard Furniture Co. furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Woodard Furniture Co. furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Woodard Furniture Co. were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Salterini, Brown Jordan, and Richard Schultz. Prices for Woodard Furniture Co. furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $150 and can go as high as $10,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,800.
Questions About Woodard Furniture Co.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Woodard furniture comes from a factory located in Owosso, Michigan. Lyman E. Woodard opened the company there in 1866. Today, the company uses many of the same manufacturing techniques. It takes more than 50 people to build one piece from start to finish. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Woodard furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
    To identify vintage Woodard patio furniture, look for the maker's markings. On three-piece sets, you'll typically find paper labels that bear the brand name underneath the cushions. Sofa and chair frames may also feature welded-on metal labels bearing the brand name. For wrought iron pieces, check the frame for an embossed "Woodard" mark. Once you find the markings, you can use trusted online resources to determine a rough idea of the age of your piece. Anything produced more than 20 years ago, but less than a century ago, is vintage. Pieces more than 100 years old are antique, while those made within the last two decades are contemporary. If you're unable to locate any markings, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you with identification and dating. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Woodard furniture.

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