Pair of Barbara Barry Armchairs
View Similar Items
Pair of Barbara Barry Armchairs
About the Item
- Creator:McGuire (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hopewell, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU91983067082
McGuire
Like so many artists and designers, husband and wife John McGuire (1920–2013) and Elinor Stevenson (1914–2005) became masters in their trade by accident. For the founders of McGuire Furniture Company, well, furniture wasn’t actually in the plans.
The couple met just before the start of World War II (during which John was in the U.S. Navy and Elinor was a navigation instructor) and got married after it ended. They settled down in San Francisco where John held a couple of jobs — among them selling newspaper ads for the San Francisco Examiner while Elinor worked for Boeing Aircraft. Soon, an old Navy buddy of John’s asked him to help sell a bunch of rattan furniture and, needing the money, John agreed. His side business became so successful that John decided to quit his ad-sales job and work full-time in design.
In 1948, McGuire Furniture Company was born. Alongside the mid-century modern furniture designs then gaining popularity in the United States, John introduced an unconventional idea: traditional armchairs, stools and tables made of natural materials such as bamboo, which was strong yet could be rendered pliable when steamed, that were intended for the indoors rather than the front porch.
The brand’s first success was the now famous Director’s X-Chair by Leonard Linden. The military-campaign-style solid oak folding chair launched in 1956 and saw rattan binded with rawhide strips and a high-grade leather slug seat and back that eliminated the need for a plush cushion. Elinor, too, designed some of the brand’s popular pieces, such as 1968’s Cracked Ice chair. With its rattan oval back a dazzling celebration of geometric forms that give it its charming moniker, the Cracked Ice chair was an instant classic and is one of the brand’s most recognizable designs.
Today, McGuire and another American furniture manufacturer, Baker Furniture Company, comprise Baker Interiors Group. McGuire remains true to the founders’ ideals and commitment to crafting the kind of organic modern furnishings that are synonymous with the warm and relaxed feel of California design. The company has collaborated with interior designers Steven Volpe, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy and Nicole Hollis, and, as of 2019, its luxury furnishings share a 16,500-square-foot showroom with Baker’s in San Francisco. Some of the earliest McGuire Furniture Company designs are part of the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
Find a range of McGuire Furniture on 1stDibs.
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Chrome and Chenille ArmchairsLocated in Hopewell, NJSleek pair of armchairs having elegant chrome frames, newly upholstered in a schnazzy geometric chenille fabric. SW.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$600 Sale Price / set58% Off - Antiqued Bronze Metal and Caned ArmchairLocated in Hopewell, NJA great looking armchair or desk chair with an unusual earthy blend of warm bronze finish metal and wood surrounded cane seat. The chair is solid and comfortable with an airy look. T...Category
Vintage 1980s American Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Classic Set of 4 McGuire Whitewashed Handcrafted Barrel Back Rattan ArmchairsBy McGuireLocated in Hopewell, NJClassic set of 4 McGuire barrel back whitewashed rattan armchairs having stylish newly upholstered seats in a striking cotton decorated with Chinese blue and white vases against red ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCotton, Rattan
- Cool Pair of Chrome DIA ArmchairsBy Design Institute AmericaLocated in Hopewell, NJChrome Midcentury modern armchairs with Classic clean lines. Grey and black striped upholstery.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
$1,850 / set - Classic McGuire Bamboo Armchair with Upholstered SeatBy McGuireLocated in Hopewell, NJNever goes out of style McGuire bamboo armchair having neutral upholstered seat. Arm height 26"Category
Vintage 1970s American Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo
- Pair of Bamboo Brighton Pavilion Style ArmchairsBy Brighton Pavilion 1Located in Hopewell, NJClassic bamboo club or armchairs having upholstered removeable seat cushions. Arm height 26Category
Vintage 1970s Philippine Organic Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo
$3,200 / set
- Barbara Barry for McGuire Double Caned Rattan Dining Desk Arm ChairBy Barbara Barry, McGuireLocated in Lake Worth, FLFor full item description be sure to click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this listing. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Barbara...Category
Vintage 1980s Armchairs
MaterialsCane, Bentwood
- Pair of Barbara Barry for McGuire Rattan Chairs W/ Floral UpholsteryBy McGuireLocated in Locust Valley, NYA pair of Barbara Barry for McGuire rattan arm chairs with cheery, floral upholstered seats. The chairs are stained a dark hue with an open c...Category
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsRattan
- Caned Lounge Chair by Barbara Barry for McGuireBy Barbara Barry, McGuireLocated in San Diego, CAA very nice caned lounge chair by Barbara Barry for McGuire Furniture of San Francisco, circa 2006. The chair features a field of the caning ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Armchairs
MaterialsRattan
$1,925 Sale Price30% Off - Pair of ArmchairsLocated in New York, NYPair of Russian neoclassical parcel-gilt mahogany armchairs Each armchair made during the Empire period in Russia. The mahogany veneered frame with gilded details. With unusual tu...Category
Antique 19th Century Russian Empire Armchairs
MaterialsGiltwood
$18,500 Sale Price / set32% Off - Pair of Iron ArmchairsLocated in Brooklyn, NYWild pair of metal armchairs with wicker seats. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Please confirm location.Category
20th Century Chairs
MaterialsIron
$1,500 / set - Barbara Barry for Henredon Lounge Chairs - PairBy Barbara Barry, HenredonLocated in Countryside, ILBarbara Barry for Henredon Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 34 wide x 35 deep x 34 high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height...Category
2010s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
$7,795 / set