Bentwood Ottoman That Pairs Well w/ Mr. Chair Lounger by George Mulhauser, 1960s
View Similar Items
Bentwood Ottoman That Pairs Well w/ Mr. Chair Lounger by George Mulhauser, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:George Mulhauser (Designer),Plycraft (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Please see the listing body for the full condition details.
- Seller Location:Deland, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: AM019811stDibs: LU7413236172002
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.
- 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
- Bentwood Lounge Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, USA, 1960sBy George MulhauserLocated in Deland, FLAs comfortable as it iconic this lounge chair and ottoman set, designed by the acclaimed George Mulhauser, is the epitome of functional art. Constructed of walnut plywood audaciously...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Mrs. Lounge Chair in Walnut & Vinyl by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, c. 1960sBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Deland, FLIntroducing a true Mid Century Modern masterpiece: the Low Back Lounge Chair designed by George Mulhauser. This iconic model, known as the "Mrs. Chair", is in 100% original, vintage condition making it ideal for collectors and designers alike searching for an authentic Plycraft bentwood chair. Constructed from a bentwood walnut shell with mesmerizing woodgrains, this chair is both durable and stylish and an iconic piece of American Mid-Century Modern design. George Mulhauser was an American industrial designer who gained fame in the 1950s and 1960s for his furniture designs. He was one of the most important designers of the Mid-Century Modern era, and his designs were frequently featured in the pages of the most prestigious design publications of the time. He was a major player in the furniture design industry and his designs were considered as modern for all...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Tufted Mr. Chair with Star Base by George Mulhauser for Plycraft in Walnut 1960sBy George MulhauserLocated in Deland, FLEqual parts comfort and style this iconic Mr. Chair, designed by the acclaimed George Mulhauser, is the epitome of functional art. The shell, constructed of audaciously-shaped bent w...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Tooled Leather Sling Ottoman by Angel Pazmino, Ecuador, c. 1960sBy Angel PazminoLocated in Deland, FLIntroducing a rare sling stool by the incomparable Angel Pazmino. Recently and painstakingly restored by our team of craftsmen this iconic ottoman has a new lease on life and we love the results. The solid jacaranda wood frame has been hand-sanded and refinished but we left some of the archetypal and intentional patina which adds character to an already character-rich piece. The upholstery has been re-done in a thick-cut genuine leather hide in homage to Pazmino's original design and intention. The seat has been hand-tooled with love and dedication to the exact dimensions and methods of the original and perfectly offsets the rich woodgrains of the jacaranda wood and even show the ranch brand of the cow as Pazmino often did to emphasize his rustic, back to basics approach. Angel Pazmino is an Ecuadorian furniture maker who has, in recent years, earned world-wide acclaim for his unlikely merging of pre-Columbian American and Mid-Century Modern design elements into his works. Born in 1926, Pazmino began his woodworking career in 1944 as a cabinet maker. Throughout the 1950's and 60's Pazmino travelled throughout the Americas where he exhibited his work and took inspiration from traditional Ameri-Indian artists and techniques. In the late 1960's he added his second authorial characteristic, incorporating graphic elements from the continent's native cultures reviving, as he put it, “the ancient and aristocratic art of leather embossing,” learning from such artisans as master saddler Ignacito Ortiz. His works have been collected by designers, state leaders and most famously Pope John Paul II who, according to Pazmino himself, took two sling chairs back to the Vatican when they were only meant to be borrowed during his 1985 visit to Ecuador. Simultaneously rustic and elegant, functional and aesthetically pleasing this restored sling stool is absolutely arresting from every angle. Ideal for collectors and designers alike who appreciate the unparalleled designs and artwork of Angel Pazmino and are searching for a Pazmino sling ottoman that is ready for a lifetime more of use. With it's mesmerizing variegated woodgrains unique to the jacaranda tree, expert hand-tooled leather work and instantly recognizable stance this artfully crafted and restored ottoman is sure to make a BOLD impression in any space it inhabits. The very epitome of one-of-a-kind, make this sling footstool...Category
Vintage 1960s Ecuadorean Spanish Colonial Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather, Jacaranda
- Bentwood Lounge Chair w/ Ottoman by Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne, Denmark, 1960sBy Fredrik A. KayserLocated in Deland, FLAs comfortable as it is aesthetically pleasing this visually stunning chair and ottoman set, designed by Fredrik A. Kayser for Vatne Møbler, is an exceptional example of Danish bentwood design. Constructed of Brazilian rosewood with fascinating curves and woodgrains this set is in 100% original, vintage condition. Though the fabric does show signs of wear, we wanted to leave the option of re-upholstery and fabric choice to the buyer. Please message us prior to checkout to discuss your options. Able to blend with a myriad of design backdrops from MCM to Contemporary to Spanish Hacienda...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Iconic Space Age Version Mr. Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Pemberton, NJIconic space-age version of the Mr. Chair and matching ottoman by Plycraft. This molded ply lounge chair/ottoman is designed by George Mulhauser and made by Plycraft features stylish...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- 1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy 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 new textured leather tufted up...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- 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
- George Mulhauser Leather Ottoman Chrome Star Base for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Munich, DEOttoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft´, USA, 1960s. Steel and faux black leather. Measures: H 40 x W 54 x D 61 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsSteel
- Mid Century 1960s Plycraft Mr. Chair Lounge Chair George MulhauserBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated 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
$2,996 Sale Price25% Off - Mid-Century Vintage "Mr. Chair" and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis molded ply lounge chair by George Mulhauser features stylish wing-like arms, tufted vinyl, and a unique hardwood base with brass eiffel stretchers. The combination of mid-centur...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Wood, Bentwood, Plywood