While most postwar furniture designers were looking to the future, Dan Johnson found inspiration in the past. The mid-century modern maverick is remembered for his beautiful armchairs, lounge chairs and dining tables with designs that are reminiscent of ancient Rome.
The American furniture designer began his career in the late 1940s by creating solid wood pieces like desks and dining chairs for California furniture manufacturer Hayden Hall. By the early 1950s, he was designing chairs and tables for American furniture importer and producer Selig. In 1955, Johnson moved to Rome on an apartment design commission. While there, he launched Dan Johnson Studio with the goal of bringing a modern approach to the Roman furniture of antiquity.
The pieces from this era of Johnson’s career are characterized by their sculptural metal designs. His most famous work was the elegant Gazelle line, sold in America by Selig. It features dining tables, coffee tables and multiple chair designs that involve a green “Pompeian Verde” patina, metal framing and traditional caning techniques. Due to a high manufacturing cost, the production line was limited and is highly exclusive today.
Another popular design by Johnson for Selig in the 1950s was the Viscount chair. More typical of the mid-century style, it was made with a wood frame, polished brass accents and orange leather upholstery. In the 1960s, Johnson designed a similar aluminum chair for American furniture manufacturer and distributor Shelby Williams, this one with blue upholstery.
Johnson died in 1978. The Gazelle armchair is in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and Denver Art Museum, and a prototype of the Gazelle lounge chair is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Interior designers regularly use Johnson’s furniture for upscale outdoor spaces in California and New York.
On 1stDibs, find Dan Johnson seating, tables, desks and more.
H 32 in W 18 in D 18 in
Mid-Century "Gazelle" Armchairs by Dan Johnson, in Aluminum and Cane
By Dan Johnson
Located in New York, NY
A rare pair of Gazelle Armchairs, created by American designer Dan Johnson (1918-1979). According to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art: "Dan Johnson was a mid-twentieth centu...
Aluminum
H 29.53 in W 22.05 in D 25.99 in
Pair of 1950s French "Gazelle" Chairs in Wicker & Steel, Style of Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A pair of graceful 1950s French armchairs in rattan wicker and tubular steel, in the style of Jaques Adnet. The dynamic modernist frame evokes gazelle's legs, the wicker seats pro...
Steel
H 29 in W 20.5 in D 21 in
Mid Century Modern Cane James Mont King Cole Style Bentwood Arm Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern Cane "James Mont, King Cole" Style Bentwood Arm Chairs - a...
Cane, Wood
H 30 in W 17.25 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Shelby Williams 'Gazelle' Sculptural Aluminum Side Chairs, 1960s
By Shelby Williams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and sculptural, this pair of Shelby Williams 'Gazelle' side chairs captures the best of American Mid-Century Modern design with a distinctly architectural profile. Each chair...
Aluminum
H 35 in W 25 in D 24 in
Set of Two Armchairs with Stools in Cane & Iron, Carlo Hauner, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner in the 1950s, this set of two armchairs with their corresponding stools reflects the designer’s refined approach to lightness and structural economy. Conceiv...
Iron
H 34.65 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Pair of Armchairs Iron Leather Brass Artisan Jacques Adnet 1950s French MCM
By Jacques Adnet
Located in London, GB
A fantastic and rare pair of Mid Century leather, wrought iron and brass armchairs in lovely vintage condition. Designed by French Modernist giant Jacques Adnet and made in France in...
Brass, Wrought Iron
H 41 in W 23 in D 24 in
Elegant Pair of Vintage High Back Dunbar Edward Wormley Style Arm Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman, Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Pair of Vintage High Back Arm Chairs Unmarked. Very much in the manner of Edward Wormley for Dunbar. High quality craftsmanship.
Wood
H 34.25 in W 24 in D 22.5 in
Pair Of Mid Century Cane Panel Arm Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A period Mid Century Pair of stylish Arm Chairs with Cane Panel back and sides. The Pair exhibit touches of Asian style having dark wood lacquered frames and fine Openwork form. The ...
Cane, Wood
H 28 in W 23 in D 23 in
Rare Armchairs by Walter Coons for Clark & Burchfield
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of bronze powder-coated steel armchairs by California Designer Walter Coons for Clark & Burchfield.
Steel
H 31 in W 20 in D 22 in
Pair of Edmond Spence "Yucatan" Chairs, Industria Meublera S.A. Mexico 1950s/60s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Camden, ME
This elegant pair of “Yucatan” side chairs was designed by Edmond J. Spence and produced by Industria Mueblera S.A. in Mexico during the 1950s–60s. Crafted in solid mahogany with new...
Raffia, Seagrass, Mahogany
Rare Pair of Wishbone Chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare pair of wishbone armchairs studio made by Arthur Espenet Carpenter (1920-2006), Bolinas, CA. In grained walnut with visible dowel construction, a shaped back that continues in...
Walnut
Pair of Gabriella Folding Chairs Model D.270.2 by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Designed in his later years in 1970, Gio Ponti's Gabriella folding chair model no D.270.2 is a modern interpretation of historical folding chairs that were praised for their mobility...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Rare Danish Scimitar Lounge Chairs
By Preben Fabricius, Jørgen Kastholm
Located in Atlanta, GA
Desinged by Preben Fabricius (1931-1984) and Jorgen Kastholm (1931-2007) for Ivan Schlechter, the Scimitar chair was inspired by the shape of Turkish Sword...
Stainless Steel
Rare Pair of Walnut Captain Chair by Wharton Esherick
By Wharton Esherick
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handmade in his studio in Paoli PA in 1951, by one of the most celebrated American artist and woodworker Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), the pair of "Captain's Chairs" manifests the be...
Leather, Walnut
Rare Pair of Napoleonic Campaign Chairs John Vesey
By John Vesey
Located in Atlanta, GA
Designed by John Vesey circa 1958, the pair of Napoleonic campaign adjustable chairs are of the model in his repertoire that rarely surfaced on the vintage market. These chairs were ...
Steel
Rare Pair of Vienna Secession Modern Chairs by Adolf Loos
By Adolf Loos
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a rare original paired Fan-Back Chairs designed by Adolf Loos (1870-1933) circa 1908-20s. As part of the Vienna Secession movement, these chairs display modern silouette ...
Fabric, Wood
