Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft
View Similar Items
Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft
About the Item
- Creator:Washington Woodcraft (Manufacturer),Arthur Umanoff (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1959
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent restored condition; professionally refinished and oiled.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1645220613922
Arthur Umanoff
Though much of Arthur Umanoff’s furniture is marked by a no-frills simplicity common in American mid-century modern design, his work is anything but one-note. Over the course of a prolific career, Umanoff designed everything from case pieces to candleholders to dining chairs in iron, leather, walnut, wicker and more. With furnishings for a broad range of manufacturers throughout the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, Umanoff continued a thread of sculptural elegance and textural sensitivity through his designs.
After graduating from Pratt Institute in the early 1950s, Umanoff experimented mostly with wood furniture before landing a job at Post Modern Ltd, a New York manufacturer of wrought-iron furniture. There he produced furnishings that married wrought iron with wood and plastic, creating functional pieces free of utilitarian bulkiness. Umanoff continued his experimentation with mixed materials through a partnership with Shaver Howard, for whom he designed wine racks in combinations of iron, leather and wicker.
When Shaver Howard bought Boyeur Scott, Umanoff conceived several furniture designs for the brand, including the 1964 Granada collection, whose curlicue iron bases, visible through glass tops, stand out as some of his most ornate and decorative work. Indeed, much of Umanoff’s oeuvre is far more simplistic, like iron-and-pine armchairs for The Elton Co. or low-backed, slatted-seat barstools with slender iron legs for Raymor.
Umanoff was fluent, too, in the more sumptuous modernism of the era: In the mid-1960s, he designed the 2405 and 4449 armchairs for Madison Furniture Industries. Popular in offices, the walnut-framed, leather-upholstered seats, which could have been mistaken for the seductive Scandinavian modern seating of the era, were reportedly the jumping-off point for Captain Kirk’s iconic seat on Star Trek.
Even as he is among the mid-century modern designers you may not know, with work across such a range of styles and manufacturers (most no longer in business), Umanoff, who died in 1985, leaves a legacy that is fascinatingly diverse and at times enticingly elusive, making his work intriguing objects for collectors.
Find vintage Arthur Umanoff furniture today on 1stDibs.
- Aluminum Silhouette Magazine RackLocated in Los Angeles, CAAluminum silhouette magazine rack signed "M Tearney". The rack features a square frame with mirroring images of a smooth polished bust which sits upon a raw edge aluminum base. Dime...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsAluminum, Metal
- Piero Fornasetti Strumenti Musicali Magazine RackBy Piero FornasettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAMagazine rack by Italian designer and artist, Piero Fornasetti, circa 1950s, Italy. The rack features a musical themed lithograph printed on plywood with a wire brass divider on the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Mel Bogart Modernist Ashtray for FelmoreBy Mel Bogart, FelmoreLocated in Los Angeles, CAA modernist freestanding ashtray/catch-all designed by Mel Bogart for Felmore, USA, c.1950s. It features an enameled metal dish that wraps around ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
MaterialsMetal, Iron
- Reading Stand by Bruno MathssonBy Bruno Mathsson, Firma Karl MathssonLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn iconic piece designed by Bruno Mathsson and produced for Firma Karl Mathsson, c. 1950's, Sweden. This stand is composed of a half lip birch and oak reading tray which is supported by a three legged nickel plated base. It is a beautiful addition to any office space or could even be flipped and used as a side able...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Music Stands
MaterialsNickel
- Joe Colombo Black Boby Trolley CartBy Joe Colombo, BieffeplastLocated in Los Angeles, CATrolley cart by Joe Colombo c.1970s, Italy. This unique plastic cart has three shallow swivel drawers and two shelves. The opposite side of the cart has t...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsPlastic
$950 / item - Gio Ponti Style Expanded Metal Shopping BagBy Gio PontiLocated in Los Angeles, CADecorative expanded metal "shopping bag" with handles in the style of Gio Ponti. This piece features age appropriate patina. It would be a great décor p...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Decorative Baskets
MaterialsMetal
- Larger Walnut Oval Magazine Rack Attribute to Arthur Umanoff for Washington WoodBy Arthur Umanoff, Washington WoodcraftLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome walnut oval magazine rack in the larger size attributed to Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft. It is in fabulous original condition which we have just given a good cleaning and oiling. Please see photos, circa 1960s. If you need a beautiful Mid-Century Modern container for magazines, books, maybe dog toys or knitting supplies, look no further! This gorgeous magazine rack attributed to Arthur Umanoff and produced by Washington Woodcraft is just the thing. Comprised of a solid walnut oval bottom and a slightly larger ring of solid walnut for the top with the two being connected by simple solid walnut spindles. The difference in size of the top and bottom result in the slight angle of its sides. Simple and stunning. Arthur Umanoff (1923-1985), a Pratt and American School of Design graduate, was a fabulous and prolific Mid-Century Modern and modern designer during the mid-late 20th century. He began his career in 1952 at The Elton Company. His designs include a wide range of décor items as well as furniture which focused for a time on fun bars and barstools...Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Solid Walnut Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff for American WoodcraftBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in San Diego, CAMid-century solid walnut magazine rack by Arthur Umanoff for American Woodcraft, circa 1950s. This sturdy rectangular magazine rack is finely crafted and all original with carved tri...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Arthur Umanoff Walnut Magazine RackBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Kalamazoo, MIBeautifully crafted Mid-Century Modern magazine or book rack designed by the prolific designer Arthur Umanoff in the 1950s. Featuring distinctive staves and practical handles on eith...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Arthur Umanoff Walnut Magazine RackBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Highland, INThis lovely walnut magazine rack by Arthur Umanoff for Washington Woodcraft has sculptural spindles that create visual movement as your perspective on the piece changes. 18.5"H X ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- MCM Arthur Umanoff Walnut Magazine RackBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Vallejo, CAA mid century walnut magazine rack designed by Arthur Umanoff. Oval with vertical spindles around the sides. Elegant tapered shape. A wonderful mid century minimalist design and func...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsWood
- Giant Magazine Rack by Arthur Umanoff in WalnutBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Chattanooga, TNThis handsome magazine rack by Arthur Umanoff is the "Big Boy" at just under 31". The oily, deep-redish-brown cinnamon color patina of the walnut is exactly why we love mid-century m...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsWalnut