Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Greta Grossman Folding Chair
About the Item
Exceedingly rare, sculpturally resonant Greta Grossman indoor/outdoor folding chairs, of painted tubular steel and cotton cord, produced in California circa 1949 either by Barker Brothers or Modern Color, Inc. The chaise and lounge versions of this chair appear in the Greta Grossman archives, and are documented with staged archival photographs as Barker Brothers productions circa 1947 in the book “Greta Magnusson Grossman—A Car and Some Shorts” in the chronology at the end; the present side or dining chair version is not included in the chronology, but appears in a John Hartley photograph of Grossman’s own house in 1956 in proximity to an outdoor dining table. A similar dining version appears in a Donald Higgins period photo of the Backus House. (see attached photos). The outdoor lounge chair version subsequently appeared in “Current Design” for Autumn 1950 curated by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Modern Color, Inc of Los Angeles is listed as the producer and distributor. The 3/4 inch gauge of the tubular steel, the width of the chair, the “Greta Grossman green” color and the construction details all line up precisely with the present chairs, down to the welded projections that prevent the seat from sagging when sat in. Note that the same Barker Brothers archival photo is used by Modern Color. Modern Color probably failed in its efforts to market the chairs, perhaps sending a few prototypes around to museums or showrooms. Or possibly the present chairs were made by Barker Brothers as part of whatever small production run occurred in Los Angeles in the late 1940s. The chairs have new cotton cord, following the original lines, but the green paint is spot-on original, with obvious wear (and character) associated with age and use. I am not aware of any other examples of this design turning up in any collection or on the market (nor of the lounge version), so this is an exciting opportunity for a collector, curator, or designer to add a hitherto unseen item from one of America’s most important midcentury designer/architects.
- Creator:Greta Magnusson Grossman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1949
- Condition:Rewoven. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Fine structural condition. The “Grossman” green paint is original and shows patina and obvious wear associated with age and use. The cotton cord is new following original lines. See photos.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU828512154023
Greta Magnusson Grossman
Designer and architect Greta Magnusson Grossman first gained fame in her native Sweden, where she established her store and workshop and became the first woman to receive a prize for furniture design from the Swedish Society of Industrial Design. In 1940, she married jazz musician Billy Grossman and moved to Los Angeles.
Upon her arrival in Southern California, she opened the Magnusson Grossman Studio on Rodeo Drive and rapidly became popular among the Hollywood elite, including Greta Garbo and Gracie Allen. In addition to creating iconic furniture and lighting — like the Grasshopper series for Barker Bros. or the Cobra lamp for Ralph O. Smith — Magnusson Grossman designed 14 homes in the Los Angeles area inspired by the Case Study Houses.
Combining her Scandinavian roots with laid-back West Coast style, Magnusson Grossman became a notable contributor to California modernism.
Find a range of vintage Greta Magnusson Grossman table lamps, floor lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
About the Seller
4.9
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1995
1stDibs seller since 2007
243 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
Associations
20th Century Specialists
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Folding Plywood Child's ChairBy Norman ChernerLocated in New York, NYFolding child’s chair composed of three pieces of cut plywood, a canvas sling, and steel pins. The frame pivots open and closed via the pins and a groove cut into the plywood seat. American, circa 1950, in an organic design idiom in the manner of Norman Cherner or Arthur Collani, both of whom provided blueprints for DIY projects. As with analogous Shaker furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsCanvas, Plywood
- Arthur Collani Plywood "Modern" ChairBy Arthur CollaniLocated in New York, NYThree-legged "Modern" chair in cut Douglas Fir plywood. A home construction project, based on a pattern by Arthur Collani, whose designs appeared in Home Craftsman Magazine in the early 1950s. Readers were provided with schematic drawings, written instructions, and pictures of the finished product. This organic design chair...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Hatfield/Craig Organic Design ChairBy Ann Hatfield and Martin CraigLocated in New York, NYChair with tilting seat back in solid birch with a vintage seat cushion fabric. A winning entry by Ann Hatfield and Martin Craig in the seminal MoMA 1941...Category
Vintage 1940s American Organic Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Arthur Collani Tilt-Back ChairBy Arthur CollaniLocated in New York, NYVintage tilt-back "Porch" chair of Douglas fir plywood with solid birch slats. Home construction project, based on a pattern by Arthur Collani, whose designs appeared in Home Craftsman Magazine in the early 1950s. Readers were provided with schematic drawings, written instructions, and pictures of the finished product. This Organic Design chair...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBirch, Plywood
- Don Shoemaker Perno Safari ChairBy Don S. Shoemaker, SenalLocated in New York, NYPerno safari chair of exotic Cocobolo wood with original black saddle leather slings, designed by American expat Don Shoemaker and produced at his Senal Studios in Mexico circa 1960's. A rare Shoemaker entry with an elegant Constructivist mien, this chair is crafted without use of glue, nails, or screws--the parts are fastened with wooden pegs...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Cocobolo
- Richard Schultz Prototype Aluminum Stacking Chair #2By Richard SchultzLocated in New York, NYPrototype stacking chair hand-built of aluminum by furniture designer and artist Richard Schultz as a full-size 3-D model exploring the ergonomic and sculptural qualities of a design...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
You May Also Like
- Four Dining Chairs Attributed to Greta Grossman for Glenn of CaliforniaBy Greta Magnusson GrossmanLocated in Palm Springs, CAFour walnut dining chairs that we believe were designed by Greta Grossman for Glenn of California. The original owner said these chairs had a partial label stating they were from Van Nuys...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Napoleon III Folding ChairLocated in New York, NYMore sculpture than furniture, this finely-carved 1860s folding chair has a gilded and gessoed wood frame, and the original cut-silk-velvet upholstery material that was woven to fit....Category
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Fläpps Folding Chair, WhiteLocated in Berlin, BEThis folding chair doesn't need to hide like most of his fellows. FLÄPPS is a mere 20 mm flat and his beautiful art-prints make him a fashionable decorative object even when folded. ...Category
2010s German Modern Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- French Midcentury Wood Folding Chair, 1970Located in Labrit, LandesFrench wood folding chair, circa 1970 Folded: D 2.54 x W 6.83 x H 33 in. Very good condition For shipping: 6 x 41 x 84 cm.Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Set of Four Plywood Folding ChairsLocated in Dronten, NLSet of 4 foldable chairs in plywood, made in The Netherlands circa 1980. Ingeniously designed practical and sturdy chairs in very good condition. These folding chairs offer a versat...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAsh, Plywood
- Ornate Moroccan Wooden Folding ChairLocated in Brooklyn, NYComprised of hand-carved wood depicting earthen motifs and embellished, inlaid accents, this Moroccan folding chair preserves its utilitarian fu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan International Style Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
Recently Viewed
View All
More Ways To Browse
Mid Century Modern Cord Dining Chairs
1940 Lounge Chair Rare
Dining Table Fold Down
Barkers Used Furniture
Small Folding Side Table
Vintage Steel Outdoor Chairs
Table Chaise Vintage
Green Chaise
Tubular Chaise
Folding Dining Table And Chairs
Vintage Fold Up Chair
Vintage Fold Up Chairs
Tubular Lounge Chaise
Chaise Longue Green
Green Chaise Lounge
California Midcentury Dining Chair
American Cotton Chairs
Midcentury Outdoor Dining Table And Chairs