Rare Rocking Chair Rocker by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
View Similar Items
Rare Rocking Chair Rocker by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
About the Item
- Creator:Plycraft (Manufacturer),George Mulhauser (Designer)
- Similar to:Milo Baughman (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Depth: 31 in (78.74 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Please see pictures and enlarge them for areas of wear.
- Seller Location:Southampton, NJ
- Reference Number:Seller: plycraft rocker - Renj 1stDibs: LU156628930953
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.
- Mid-Century Ebonized Rocker or Rocking Chair by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver HowardBy Arthur UmanoffLocated in Southampton, NJBlending classic Adirondack construction with striking Japanese lines this rocker is the center of attention in most design settings. Solid ebonized mahogany having woven cane backre...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsCane, Mahogany
- 19th Century Lollipop Platform Rocking Chair by George HunzingerBy George HunzingerLocated in Southampton, NJAn outstanding Lollipop platform rocker in carved Oak by George Hunzinger late 19th c. production. The iconic patented Huntzinger steel and spring rocking mechanism is perfectly in t...Category
Antique 1880s American Victorian Windsor Chairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Scoop Dining Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin in Caribbean 'Aqua' ColorBy Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in Southampton, NJA stunning set of Milo Baughman Scoop dining chairs newly reupholstered in high-end Arc-Com Atmosphere Caribbean Fabric: Woven Arc-Com Stai...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
$3,120 Sale Price / item71% Off - Antique Bar Harbor Wicker Chair & Rocker - Set of 2By Bar HarborLocated in Southampton, NJBeautifully preserved early 20th c. American willow and reed Bar Harbor porch chair & matching rocker, newly painted with new custom cushions upholstered in blue & white coastal stri...Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsCotton, Linen, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
- Franco Albini Midcentury Rocking HorseBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Southampton, NJFranco Albini Midcentury Rattan & Wicker Rocking Horse/Sculpture. Italy, circa 1960. Dimensions: H 24 in. x W 30 in. x D 18 in.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
MaterialsBamboo, Reed
- Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Barrel Back Club Lounge ChairsBy Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in Southampton, NJScarcely seen Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin barrel back walnut club lounge chairs upholstered in all original blue & white trellis brocade. Seat: 17" H.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsBrocade, Walnut
- Vintage Bent Plywood Chair by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy Norman Cherner, George Mulhauser, Charles and Ray Eames, PlycraftLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic mid-century modern bentwood side chair designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft of Massachusetts. Both original labels still intact, revealing an original manufacture date of...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBentwood, Wood, Plywood
- Iconic "Mrs. Chair" by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in San Diego, CAIconic "Mrs. Chair" by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, circa 1960s. This is the second version of the 'smaller "Mrs." chair that was introduced to provide an alternative for women in ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Walnut
- Plycraft Lounge Chair by George MulhauserBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Oklahoma City, OKThe Plycraft "Mr. Chair," designed by George Mulhauser, is an iconic mid-century modern piece renowned for its elegant, organic curves and comfortable design. Crafted from molded ply...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Swivel Chair by Mulhauser for PlycraftBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in New York, NYRare and unusual form not often seen, designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. Swivel upholstered chair in orange vinyl with bent ply shell, c...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Plywood
- Set of 6 George Mulhauser Swivel Chairs for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in New York, NYSet of 6 George Mulhauser swivel chairs for Plycraft. Walnut frames with fabric covered seats. Scrolled arms.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
$32,000 / set - Expertly Restored - George Mulhauser "Scroll" Swivel Chair for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated 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