Superb Midcentury Set of Four Dining Chairs Greta Magnusson Grossman
About the Item
- Creator:Glenn of California (Manufacturer),Greta Magnusson Grossman (Designer)
- Similar to:Pierre Chapo (Designer)Gio Ponti (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1952
- Condition:recovered at some point in Knoll fabric.
- Seller Location:BROOKLYN, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1793235182882
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.
Glenn of California
Credited for being at the forefront of the West Coast modernist design movement, Glenn of California introduced a relaxed, breezy and elegant style to postwar America. The company was based in Arcadia, California, a city situated near Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. It specialized in the production of easily accessible and reasonably affordable furnishings that included credenzas, chairs, cabinets, tables and more.
However, it wasn’t until Glenn of California hired the prolific American furniture designer Milo Baughman that the company made a name for itself in the annals of American mid-century modern design. Baughman prioritized function — he worked with simple forms and often used sleek, flat-bar chromed metal and natural materials such as walnut in his pieces.
Glenn of California marketed Baughman’s designs along with those of unsung Swedish architect and designer Greta Magnusson Grossman in their successful California Modern collection. The first woman to receive an award from the Swedish Society of Industrial Design, Magnusson Grossman drew on her Scandinavian heritage to create iconic homes as well as furnishings for Glenn and other companies that helped define mid-century-era Southern California. The furniture she and Baughman designed became known for its laid-back Los Angeles style and thoughtful integration of walnut, iron and Formica.
In addition to employing the talents of Baughman and Magnusson Grossman, Glenn of California collaborated with several other notable and influential designers. These included Stanley Young, Kipp Stewart, John Kapel and Paul Laszlo. Laszlo, an American-Hungarian architect, interior designer and furniture designer, was well-regarded among Hollywood’s elite and designed pieces for Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck and Elizabeth Taylor.
While the company is no longer in business, vintage Glenn of California furniture remains highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Discover a range of vintage Glenn of California dressers, dining tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: BROOKLYN, NY
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllMid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel, Iron
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
You May Also Like
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Read More
10 Trailblazing Female Designers
From pioneering visionaries to contemporary talents, get to know some of the most important women in design.
Billy Cotton Layers His Interiors with Lived-In Comfort
The Brooklyn-based designer is adept at styles ranging from austere to over-the-top, espousing an architectural, detail-oriented approach also evident in his line of furniture and lighting.