Michael van Beuren was born in New York and studied architecture at the Bauhaus under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Josef Albers until its closure in 1933. He moved to Acapulco at the end of 1936, where he oversaw the design of the interiors of the bungalows at the renowned Flamingo Hotel in 1937, and quickly became a formative member of the Mexican Modernism movement.
By 1938, van Beuren began focusing on furniture design, working with a fellow Bauhaus colleague, Klaus Grabe, to create modern and affordable pieces. Inspired by the local culture and craftsmanship, the duo applied Bauhaus design principles to popular Mexican mainstays, such as woven reclining chaises and wooden dining chairs.
The approach was a success — Grabe, Morley Webb and van Beuren were named among the winners of a 1941 competition organized by the Museum of Modern Art that focused on designer teams from the United States and Latin America called “Organic Design in Home Furnishings.” This award catapulted them to wide renown.
In the following years, van Beuren founded his furniture label Domus, which became synonymous with well-crafted, modernist design that garnered fans both in Mexico and America. Along with his own designs, Domus also produced work by Clara Porset, a friend and contemporary of van Beuren’s. However, by 1951, the company’s move toward more mass manufacturing meant that van Beuren’s earlier designs were no longer being produced.
Find vintage Michael van Beuren furniture on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by 7710 Gallery)
H 30.71 in W 30.71 in D 35.44 in
Mexican Rocking Chair Attributed to Michael van Beuren
By Michael van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Ciraca 1950, we offer this Mexican rocking chair attributed to Michael van Beuren made in mahogany wood and recently professionally restored.
Wood
H 30.71 in W 21.26 in D 26.78 in
Michael van Beuren San Miguelito Lounge Chair
By Michael van Beuren, Domus
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, a rare set of four (only two pieces remain) original San Miguelito Lounge Chairs. These iconic pieces may be acquired as a complete set, in pairs, or individu...
Leather
H 31.5 in W 26.78 in D 32.68 in
De Coene Frères lounge chair Belgium 1950
By De Coene Frères
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Striking and super rare lounge chair designed by De Coene Frères, Courtrai Belgium in 1950s. This chair has a beech frame in a warm orange-brown hue. To maintain the authenticity of ...
Fabric, Beech, Plywood
H 31.5 in W 24.41 in D 39.77 in
Mid-Century 1950s Vintage Zanine Caldas Lounge Chair
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in London, GB
The structure of the lounge chair is made of marine plywood, which allows it to be made from a single cut, with an organic shape. the frame is cut into fluid, angular forms that conv...
Leather, Plywood
H 29 in W 28 in D 29 in
Mid-Century Sculpted Danish Modern Lounge Chair by Niels Koefoed
By Koefoeds Hornslet, Niels Koefoed
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Scandinavian Modern solid teak lounge chair by Niels Koefoed with new black leather upholstery. Sleek sculptural back and gentle curves combined with angular frame creates a dynamic ...
Brass
H 30.5 in W 23.5 in D 28 in
Iconic Jens Risom Lounge Chair for Knoll, Model 652-W, Mid-Century Modern
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Jens Risom Model 652-W lounge chair for KnollStudio, originally designed in 1941 and still celebrated as one of the icons of mid-century modern design. This timeless piece fe...
Cotton, Wood
H 25.99 in W 24.02 in D 27.96 in
Michel Ducaroy Sna Roset Armchair France 1950
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
One of MMD’s favourites is this lounge chair designed by Michel Ducaroy and manufactured by SNA Roset, France 1950s. Michel Ducaroy, of course enormously fam...
Cane, Hardwood
H 10 in W 24 in D 27.5 in
Early Model 652 Lounge Chair by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates, circa 1946
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early Model 652 Lounge Chair, circa 1946 by Jens Risom (1916-2016) for Knoll Associates maple, nylon Early Decal: Knoll Associates Inc., 601 Madison Ave, New York 22, N.Y. "This ...
Maple
H 37.01 in W 25.6 in D 26.78 in
Exceptionally Rare, Possibly Unique Lounge chair by Arnold Bode
By Arnold Bode
Located in Munich, DE
only a handful of tectaform chairs showed up on auctions the last 10 years, but this version with arms is previous unknown. it´s a very rare version of model no. 8xx. we are very pro...
Plywood
H 32.5 in W 30 in D 34.25 in
Modernist Mexican San Miguel Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren from Luteca
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The San Miguel lounge chair is a timeless mid-century Mexican piece inspired by the classic Latin American Butaque chair famed by the likes of 20th Century Mexican architect Luis Barragan and Industrial Designer Clara Porset. Michael van Beuren, an American born designer trained at Germany's famous Bauhuas school, produced this award winning piece in 1941 for the MoMA's Organic Design Exhibition in New York along with it's sister-design, the Alacran Chaise...
Teak
Italian Lounge Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair attributed to Italian designer Paolo Buffa. The chair features a textured linen upholstery with dark green piping at each side. The birch frame showcases beautiful bentw...
Linen, Birch
Ib Kofod-Larsen Lounge Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Ib Kofod-Larsen c.1950s, Denmark. The chair features a stained beech frame with sculpted arms and a curved upholstered backrest. The chair has new cushions and has be...
Mohair, Upholstery, Beech
Arne Tidemand-Ruud "Holmenkollen" Lounge Chair for Norcraft
By Norcraft, Arne Tidemand Ruud
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1950s by Arne Tidemand-Ruud for Norwegian company Norcraft. The solid teak frame is wrapped with a black leather sling seat. The lounge chair is adjustable to recline...
Leather, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Rolf Rastad & Adolf Relling, 1950s
By Adolf Relling and Rolf Rastad, Dokka Mobler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Rolf Rastad and Adolf Relling for Dokka Mobler, Norway, c.1950s. The lounge chair has the original green tweed fabric and features a sculpted teak frame. Dimensions ...
Upholstery, Teak
Ward Bennett Scissor Chair
By Brickel Associates, Ward Bennett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scissor chair by Ward Bennett. This 1982 production of a 1960s design. It features an oak frame with caramel leather upholstery. Dimensions 23.5” width x 27.5” depth x 34.5” height;...
Leather, Oak
Miles Karpilow Studio Craft Leather Lounge Chair
By Miles Karpilow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Studio Craft lounge chair by master craftsman, John Karpilow circa 1960, USA. The Bay Area artisan created this impressive piece known as the "Osborne" chair which features a leather...
Leather, Walnut
