Restored Pair of Bent Ply Faux White Tufted Leather George Mulhauser Mr. Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Plycraft (Maker),George Mulhauser (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Width: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Depth: 38 in (96.52 cm)Seat Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Replacements made: New feet on chairs and ottomans. Wear consistent with age and use. Faux leather upholstery has been cleaned and revitalized. Walnut frames have been professionally refinished by our in-house cabinet shop.
- Seller Location:Chattanooga, TN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2255329890082
George Mulhauser
Reflecting on George Mulhauser’s decades-long career conjures up images of him sitting in his well-known Mr. Chair — a luxurious reclining mid-century modern lounge chair for Plycraft made from a single sheet of plywood — and thinking to himself what mark he would leave on the world of furniture design.
Mulhauser studied industrial design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated in 1953. His early designs were quite venturesome and landed him his first design job in the Manhattan studio of architect, journalist and designer George Nelson, who was the director of design for legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
In 1955, Mulhauser designed his now-immediately recognizable Coconut chair. Angular and visually striking, this alluring lounge chair, with its sloping molded plastic shell, was something of a prelude. Soon, Mulhauser would make the acquaintance of American furniture designer Paul McCobb. Mulhauser collaborated with McCobb on concepts for molded fiberglass chairs, and McCobb’s Origami chair for Directional would become a big hit on the mid-20th century market.
Mulhauser kept busy. In his home studio, he sketched out each furniture design on paper and then translated them to handmade scale models. Mulhauser engaged his neighbors and family in trying out his sophisticated seating and gathered feedback for improvements. He designed his Mr. Chair for Plycraft — an adjustable armchair with a seat of tufted leather that yielded a series — and collaborated with many other companies throughout his career, including Directional, Singer, Overman and the Design Institute of America. He also taught furniture design at Pratt Institute, while the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts brought him on as an instructor of 3-D design.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage George Mulhauser chairs, lounge chairs and other furniture.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chattanooga, TN
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 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
- Pair of Vintage 1970s Ample Butterscotch Brown and Oak Tufted Club ChairsBy Percival LaferLocated in Chattanooga, TNSit back and relax in these amply stuffed vintage 1970s club chairs. The pair of armchairs have robust solid oak frames with a distinctive Nineteen-Laties flyspeck finish. The generously stuffed chairs perfectly suit today’s level of comfort. These chairs are supremely comfortable. Cozy up for an evening of Netflix and relax away. The arms are well padded along with the back rests, providing bountiful support. The chairs are outfitted in a butterscotch color vinyl. The vinyl upholstery is attractive and durable. Ideal for homes with pets and children. The easy to maintain vinyl is also cruelty free, unlike leather. An air of luxury is conveyed through the elegant folding and tufting found throughout the chairs. Consider pairing these chairs with our Null solid rustic coffee table and end table...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak, Faux Leather
- Restored Midcentury Svend Skipper Style Black Leather Low-Back Lounge ChairBy Frits Henningsen, Svend SkipperLocated in Chattanooga, TNFully restored with new luxurious black leather. This Mid-Century Modern lounge chair had no marking, but it's clearly in the style of Frits Henningsen and Svend Skipper, made in the...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Set of 4 Restored Vintage Witco Conquistador Tiki Chairs in Original Red FurBy William Westenhaver / Witco, WitcoLocated in Chattanooga, TNSet of four restored Witco Conquistador tiki throne chairs in original red fur. This set of four chairs was originally part of a dining set. We have the matching dining table, sold separate. Let us know if you are interested in the table. These chairs are absolutely wild in the best kind of way. The original red fur fabric has a thick pile. This bright red upholstery adds drama to the high-back, iron cladded, hand-carved throne. As if all that isn’t enough.. the arms are carved like gorilla paws. Each throne chair is crowned with two hand-carved conquistador heads donning their iconic helmets. These highly collectible and hard-to-find thrown chairs were born of the jet-set era. The 1960s was the golden age of air travel and Americans were absolutely fascinated with “Exotica.” Ephemera from exotic tropical lands around South Asia were all the rage and gave birth to an explosion of tiki motifs in popular American culture. We have other Witco items available including conquistador chairs in new leopard upholstery, Witco end table, and Witco cat...Category
Vintage 1960s American Medieval Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Restored Adrian Pearsall For Craft Associates 2056-C Highback Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNThere's an unmistakable sinister look this Mid-century modern Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2056-C lounge chair. The tufted, tapered high back profile evokes a regal sophisti...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- '2' Restored Vintage Witco Conquistador Tiki Throne Chairs in Original Red FurBy William Westenhaver / Witco, WitcoLocated in Chattanooga, TNPair of restored Witco Conquistador tiki throne chairs in original red fur. These chairs are absolutely wild in the best kind of way. The original red fur fabric has a thick pile. This bright red upholstery adds drama to the high-back, iron cladded, hand-carved throne. As if all that isn’t enough.. the arms are carved like gorilla paws. Each throne chair is crowned with two hand-carved conquistador heads donning their iconic helmets. These highly collectible and hard-to-find thrown chairs were born of the jet-set era. The 1960s was the golden age of air travel and Americans were absolutely fascinated with “Exotica.” Ephemera from exotic tropical lands around South Asia were all the rage and gave birth to an explosion of tiki motifs in popular American culture. We have four of these chairs available, two arm chairs and two armless chairs. This listing is for just the two armchairs. The two armless chairs are sold separate. We also have the matching dining table, sold separate. We have other Witco items available including conquistador chairs in new leopard upholstery, Witco end table, and Witco cat...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- 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
- Mid Century 1960s Plycraft Mr. Chair Lounge Chair George MulhauserBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Baltimore, MDFinely crafted vintage mid century, Plycraft's "Mr. Chair" lounge chair beautifully designed by George Mulhauser, for Plycraft, 1960's, swivel lounge chair. Features a stunning profi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Walnut
- George Mulhauser Leatherette Mr. Chair Lounge & Ottoman for Plycraft - Set of 2By Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Chicago, ILMid Century Modern George Mulhauser Mr. Chair Lounge & Ottoman for Plycraft in Black Leatherette This is a an amazing timeless chair and ottoman by designer George Mulhauser for Ply...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak, Walnut
- Expertly Restored - George Mulhauser "Scroll" Swivel Chair for PlycraftBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Los Angeles, CARare armchair designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft Co. in the United States circa 1950s. This extraordinary swivel chair has been sturdily constructed with laminated walnut bent...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- George Mulhauser for Plycraft Mr. Chair Wingback Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1960sBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Deland, FLAttention collectors! Equal parts comfort and style this iconic wingback Mr. Chair, designed by the acclaimed George Mulhauser, is the epitome of functional art. In 100% original, vintage condition this ground-breaking model is practically as good as it gets for purists searching for an authentic wingback set. The shell, constructed of audaciously-shaped bent walnut plywood, has become instantly recognizable and timeless. The original Naugahyde perfectly offsets the rich walnut woodgrains and is sure to make a BOLD statement in any space it inhabits. Able to recline to a position of the sitter's preference via the hand-screwed adjuster as well as swiveling 360 degrees this extraordinary lounger is as versatile as it is visually captivating. Perfect in both the home or office settings this Mr. Chair set can blend seamlessly against a myriad of design backdrops from MCM to Modern to Minimalism. Buy it as is or have us re-upholster the chair in a fabric of your choosing. Message us prior to checkout to discuss upholstery options and make this exceptional Mr. Chair yours today. ---Dimensions--- Chair Width: 32 in / 81.28 cm Chair Depth: 32 in / 81.28 cm Chair Height: 41.5 in / 105.41 cm Seat Height: 15 in / 38.1 cm Arm Height: 24 in / 60.96 cm Ottoman Width: 25.5 in Ottoman Depth: 21 in Ottoman Height: 18.5 in Condition Details: Save for a few minor veneer repairs this exceptional lunge chair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Mid Century Modern 1960s Plycraft George Mulhauser “Mr. Chair” and OttomanBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Phoenix, AZ1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. This iconic mid century modern chair features sculptural bent walnut armrests and brand new black vinyl tufted u...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Walnut