Norman Cherner for Plycraft Four Walnut and Black Leather Dining Chairs
View Similar Items
Norman Cherner for Plycraft Four Walnut and Black Leather Dining Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Plycraft (Manufacturer),Norman Cherner (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 26.78 in (68 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The leather has been upholstered in recent years, the leather is in good, used condition.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU933112115011
Norman Cherner
Norman Cherner was an influential designer who explored postwar technological innovations and how to incorporate them into furniture production and architecture. And while its history is complicated, his Cherner chair is one of the most successful examples of mid-century modern molded plywood seating.
Born in New York City, Cherner was an architect and a prolific designer who taught at Columbia University’s Teachers College. An enthusiast of the Bauhaus, he gave lectures in the late 1940s on the principles of the legendary German design school at the Museum of Modern Art.
Cherner was fascinated with the concept of cost-efficient design, and this extended into his pioneering ideas for prefabricated housing. His philosophy was that a modular home should be a complete design concept that included economical furniture and lighting. He published several DIY books, such as How to Build a House for $6,000. Cherner caught the interest of a housing cooperative in upstate New York and was contracted to design and oversee the construction of prefabricated housing in the town of Ramapo. The U.S. Department of Housing assembled a pre-built Cherner home for exhibition in Vienna.
But he is best known for his chair.
In the 1950s, one of George Nelson’s designers, John F. Pile, created the Pretzel chair. It had structural problems and proved too costly to make at Herman Miller, where Nelson was director of design. Production was subcontracted to Massachusetts company Plycraft, but the agreement didn’t last long owing to a dispute between the furniture manufacturers. Based on a recommendation from Nelson, Plycraft sought out Cherner to redesign the chair so that it would be durable and affordable to produce.
Cherner submitted his redesign only to be told that Plycraft had shelved the project. However, Plycraft secretly began producing what would become the Cherner chair under a different name — and Cherner later stumbled across his seat in New York. Cherner sued Plycraft and won. The chair became instantly popular after being featured in a Norman Rockwell illustration for a Saturday Evening Post cover in September of 1961.
Other noteworthy Cherner designs include his Konwiser furniture line, Multiflex storage units and tube lighting. The Museum of Modern Art praised his Konwiser collection as “some of the most progressive furniture designs available to the American public.”
In 1972, Plycraft discontinued production of his chair, and Cherner died in 1987. In 1999, his two sons founded the Cherner Chair Company and began making furniture based on their father's original designs for armchairs, chairs — including the Cherner chair — tables and credenzas.
Find vintage Norman Cherner furniture on 1stDibs today.
Plycraft
While the history of Plycraft is marred by scandal and lawsuits, the American furniture manufacturer produced charming lounge chairs and other seating during the mid-century modern era that are sought after by collectors today.
Paul Goldman founded Plycraft in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1953 — he had secured military contracts for the manufacturing of bentwood products during World War II and was able to move into the commercial market thereafter. While Plycraft counted fiberglass boats among its early offerings, its primary focus switched to furniture when what we now call mid-century modernism hit its stride and more designers began to explore the possibilities of bentwood furniture thanks to the revolutionary work of Alvar Aalto and Michael Thonet. Goldman was Plycraft’s principal designer, but George Mulhauser and Norman Cherner were also enlisted to create furniture for the brand.
In 1952, a designer named John F. Pile, who was working in the studio of Herman Miller design director George Nelson, conceived what he called the Pretzel chair in walnut and birch. Pile’s seat, which was inspired by European modernist design, proved too costly to manufacture and it had structural problems. So the illustrious Michigan furniture maker subcontracted Plycraft to produce the Pretzel chair — an agreement that was short-lived owing to a dispute between Plycraft and Herman Miller.
Goldman subsequently tapped Norman Cherner — an innovative architect, designer and professor at Columbia University who was recommended by Nelson — to create an iteration of the Pretzel chair that would be stronger and cost-efficient to manufacture.
Cherner submitted a comfortable, curvaceous update to the Pretzel chair in molded plywood but was told by Plycraft that the project was being scrapped and his drawings shelved. Months later, Cherner was shocked to stumble upon his redesigned chair in a furniture showroom in New York under the Plycraft name. Cherner sued Plycraft and won — the Cherner chair later appeared in a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
In the late 1950s, designer George Mulhauser created the Mr. Chair for Plycraft, an adjustable, tilting, swivel armchair with a matching ottoman. Mulhauser was also a designer in George Nelson’s studio and is credited with having conceived the iconic Coconut lounge chair for Herman Miller. With its tufted leather seat and shell crafted from a single sheet of plywood, the Mr. Chair lounge — part of a line of seating for which Mulhauser was commissioned — bears a resemblance to the now-legendary Eames lounge chair, which was designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Mulhauser’s chair was very successful for Plycraft. A model was even spotted on an episode of Star Trek.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Italian Set of Four Dining Chairs in Black Leather and WalnutLocated in Waalwijk, NLSet of four dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1970s A delicate set of chairs that are well-proportioned and will elevate one's dining area in a vigorous and strong way. The w...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Italian Dining Chair in Black Leather and WalnutLocated in Waalwijk, NLDining chair, walnut, leather, Italy, 1970s A delicate chair that is well-proportioned and will elevate one's interior in a vigorous and strong way. The wooden frame is composed o...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Pierre Cardin Set of Four Dining Chairs in Walnut and Red LeatherBy Pierre CardinLocated in Waalwijk, NLPierre Cardin, set of four dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, circa 1980. This sculptural set of chairs is designed by Italian designer Pierre Cardin (1922-2020). The curved ba...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
On Hold$9,800 / set - Silvio Coppola for Bernini Pair of Dining Chairs in Leather and WalnutBy Silvio Coppola, BerniniLocated in Waalwijk, NLSilvio Coppola for Bernini, pair of dining chairs, model '330', cognac leather, walnut, Italy, 1960s Wonderfully set of dining chairs in cognac leather and walnut wood by Italian de...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Carlo Scarpa for Bernini Pair of Dining Chairs in Walnut and LeatherBy Bernini, Carlo ScarpaLocated in Waalwijk, NLCarlo Scarpa for Bernini, pair of dining chairs model '765', walnut, black leather, design 1934, production 1970s These well-proportioned chairs are designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1934...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Tito Agnoli for Molteni Set of Four 'Fiorenza' Dining Chairs in LeatherBy Molteni & C, Tito AgnoliLocated in Waalwijk, NLTito Agnoli for Molteni, set of four 'Fiorenza' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1968 These chairs are an excellent example of Italian Mid-Century design. The back is slight...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Set of 5 Norman Cherner For Plycraft Steam Bent PlywoodBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in New York, NYSET of 5 American Mid-Century dining chairs with beige painted steam bent plywood frames and orange vinyl upholstered backs and seats. (NORMAN CHERNER FOR P...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
$22,500 / set - Set of Norman Cherner Pretzel Dining Chairs, Made by Plycraft, USA, 1960sBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in London, GBA set of four original Norman Cherner pretzel dining chairs, made by Plycraft, USA, in the 1960s. Bentwood frames. Priced for the s...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Norman Cherner for Plycraft, Set of 8 Original Chairs with Labels, Walnut VeneerBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireNorman Cherner's 1958 'wasp-waisted' moulded plywood chair is an icon of mid-century furniture design. This set of eight original Norman Cherner dining chairs, was made by Plycra...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Plywood
- Mid Century Modern Set of 6 Original Norman Cherner Dining Chairs for PlycraftBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Port Jervis, NYFabulous original set of six Norman Cherner Dining chairs for Plycraft c1955. Totally restored, wood was scrubbed clean and restrained and lacquered. All new upholstery, faux black l...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut
- Iconic Mid Century Cherner Plycraft Bent Ply ChairBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in New York, NYIconic Mid Century bent plywood chair designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft with original Plycraft label, dated 1964. This example is...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Plywood
- Norman Cherner Pretzel Dining Side Arm Chair Made by Plycraft 1960'sBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Wayne, NJNorman Cherner pretzel dining chairs, made by Plycraft in the 1960's. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , ple...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.