Plycraft Brown Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
View Similar Items
Plycraft Brown Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
About the Item
- Creator:Plycraft (Manufacturer)
- Similar to:Charles and Ray Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1958321713802
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.
- Yellow Wool Walnut Lounge Chairs by Vista of California, a PairBy Vista of CaliforniaLocated in Miami, FLRare pair of vintage walnut tufted armchairs by Vista of California in all original condition. The Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs feature: original warm yellow wool upholstery; bucket style seats; tapered backrest with button tufting; label. These petite barrel back...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Walnut
- Midcentury Rattan Chair and Ottoman W/ Josef Frank Style FabricBy Paul Frankl, Franco AlbiniLocated in Miami, FLNewly restored and reupholstered vintage three-strand rattan armchair and footstool dating from the late 1940s to early 1950s. The removable cushions have been reupholstered in a Josef Frank style indoor/outdoor performance fabric. The bentwood and streamlined frames are in the transitional style between Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern and remind us of speed lounge chairs...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Fabric
- Hans Wegner JH-515 Black Leather Teak Armchair for Johannes HansenBy Hans J. Wegner, Johannes HansenLocated in Miami, FLVintage easy chair designed by Hans Wegner and executed by Johannes Hansen in the 1950s. Rare lounge chair model JH-515. Genuine, soft, black leather in excellent condition. The sple...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Pencil Reed Wing Back Rattan Lounge ChairLocated in Miami, FLA gorgeous vintage fan back pencil-reed split bamboo armchair dating from the 1970s. The hand-crafted barrel shaped back imparts a superior level of comfort all while adding a Chinoi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
- Hollywood Regency Mid-Century Modern Channel Back Lounge Chairs - PairBy Grosfeld HouseLocated in Miami, FLStunning pair of Hollywood Regency Mid-Century Modern channel fan back lounge chairs, circa 1940s. Super stylish left and right chairs in the style of Billy Haines, Milo Baughman, or...Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Gio Ponti Style Walnut Lounge Chair in Ivory White BoucléBy Gio Ponti, Kurt ØstervigLocated in Miami, FLSultry and sleek vintage modern walnut armchair with luxurious ivory white boucle fabric. The soft and textured bouclé fabric contrasts the walnut wood beautifully and completes the ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Fabric
- Plycraft Lounge Chair & Ottoman in LeatherBy Plycraft, SeligLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage 1960s Plycraft lounge chair & ottoman. Featuring molded rosewood wood frame, bentwood arms and supple black leather. It swivels and reclines. Very very comfortable. What an...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
$2,700 / set - Vintage Plycraft Lounge Chair and OttomanBy PlycraftLocated in Pasadena, TXVintage Plycraft lounge chair and ottoman Mid-Century Modern swivel lounge chair and matching ottoman by Plycraft. Tufted caramel...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
$3,120 Sale Price20% Off - Restored Mid-Century Modern Plycraft White George Mulhauser Mr. Chair & OttomanBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Chattanooga, TNThis listing is for one chair with matching ottoman. The price you see is for one chair with ottoman. There are two chairs and ottoman sets available. Opt to buy one set or both chai...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Sculptural Arm / Lounge Chair by Norman Chener for PlycraftBy PlycraftLocated in Cincinnati, OHA sculptural bent wood framed arm chair / lounge chair with ribbed black leatherette upholstery. This rare form shares it's DNA with the other pie...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of Walnut Plywood 'Mrs' Lounge Chair by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in London, GBA pair of American walnut plywood lounge chairs from the 1960's by American designer George Mulhauser. This larger version is seen with the more rarely wooden legs. The smaller famou...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSilk, Plywood
- George Mulhauser Designed Plycraft Walnut Black Leather Lounge Chair OttomanBy PlycraftLocated in Essex, MAGeorge Mulhauser designed Plycraft walnut and Italian leather lounge chairs and ottomans, bent stacked laminated plywood swivel tilting walnut lounge chairs, and ottomans in the style of Eames. They are in excellent condition and professionally restored circa 1960 - 1970. Beautiful patina to the walnut wood frame, reclining black leather...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.