Important Pair of Plycraft Chairs by Norman Cherner
View Similar Items
Important Pair of Plycraft Chairs by Norman Cherner
About the Item
- Creator:Plycraft (Manufacturer)
- Attributed to:Norman Cherner (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Please contact directly to review condition in detail.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97861009498
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.
- Pair of Vintage Robsjohn Gibbings Lounge Chairs for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Vintage Robsjohn Gibbings lounge chair for Widdicomb. Beautiful proportions. A more uncommon deep lounge form. Tapered front and back legs. Elegant and Modern. Recently acqu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of Harvey Probber Side Chairs with Cast Brass HandlesBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Harvey Probber side chairs with elegant cast brass handles. Can possibly ship UPS in 2 separate boxes. Need to look into.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of Vintage Mid Century Designer Barrel Back Lounge ChairsLocated in Chicago, ILPair of vintage barrel back lounge chairs. Stamped on underside. very well crafted. In the manner of Paul Mccobb for winchendon. Unc...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Swank Vintage Lounge Chairs with Brass Handle PullsBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Chicago, ILSexy and swank pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern / Hollywood Regency lounge chairs in style of Milo Baughman Harvey Probber. Very good design. No labels attached. Of the period. N...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of Vintage Sled Base Chrome Lounges by Arthur Umanoff for DirectionalBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Chicago, ILThick chrome tubing with attached cushions. NIce sled bases. Solid, Sturdy and comfortable Chairs. In the manner of Milo Baughman and Paul Tuttle.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Florence Knoll Aluminum Lounge ChairBy Florence KnollLocated in Chicago, ILInteresting lounge chair in the style of Florence Knoll. Aluminum Construction with Allen bolt connection. Looks to be original Gerard black and white checkerboard fabric. An uncommon chair...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Bentwood Side Chair By Norman Cherner For PlycraftBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern, ply bentwood, side chair by Norman Cherner for Plycraft in a dark walnut finish. This iconic mid-century modern chair that is striking from every angle can be use...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsBentwood, Plywood
- Plycraft Chairs by Norman ChernerBy Norman ChernerLocated in Van Nuys, CAThis is a set of 4 colorful chairs designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft. Each chair is painted in its own unique color: red, green, blue, and yellow....Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
$5,060 / set - Set of 4 Norman Cherner Directional Side Chairs PlycraftBy Norman Cherner, Plycraft, DirectionalLocated in Fraser, MIPlease feel free to reach out for accurate shipping to your location. Set of 4 Norman Cherner side chairs. Walnut veneer on chrome bases. These chairs have rare Directional labels. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Norman Cherner for Plycraft White Bentwood 'Pretzel' Dining ChairsBy Plycraft, Norman ChernerLocated in New York, NYPAIR of American Mid-Century 'Pretzel' design dining armchairs with white painted bentwood frames with fan-shaped backs, resting on four curved and tapered legs. (PRICED AS PAIR)Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Walnut, Paint
- Classic Pair Of Vintage Norman Cherner Plycraft Armchairs c. 1950'sBy Norman Cherner, PlycraftLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Pair Of Vintage Norman Cherner for Plycraft Pretzel Armchairs c. 1950's... Great early example,, Seat and back reupholstered in a fun pok a dot and stripped black and white f...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Plywood
- Pair of Cherner Armchair by Norman Cherner for PlycraftBy Norman ChernerLocated in Centreville, VAFound in design collections across the world, the Cherner chair was originally made of walnut faced moulded plywood, using similar techniques to those that Charles and Ray Eames were...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBentwood