Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern "Dogbone" Dining Chairs, Set of Four
View Similar Items
Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern "Dogbone" Dining Chairs, Set of Four
About the Item
- Creator:Heywood-Wakefield Co. (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1956
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs are in excellent original vintage condition, with minor wear from age and use.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU274539807181
Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Created by the 19th-century merger of two venerable Massachusetts furniture makers, Heywood-Wakefield was one of the largest and most successful companies of its kind in the United States. In its early decades, the firm thrived by crafting affordable and hugely popular wicker pieces in traditional and historical styles. In the midst of the Great Depression, however, Heywood-Wakefield reinvented itself, creating instead the first modernist furnishings to be widely embraced in American households.
The Heywoods were five brothers from Gardner, Massachusetts, who in 1826 started a business making wooden chairs and tables in their family shed. As their company grew, they moved into the manufacture of furniture with steam-bent wood frames and cane or wicker seats, backs and sides. In 1897, they joined forces with a local rival, the Wakefield Rattan Company, whose founder, Cyrus Wakefield, got his start on the Boston docks buying up lots of discarded rattan, which was used as cushioning material in the holds of cargo ships, and transforming it into furnishings. The conglomerate initially did well with both early American style and woven pieces, but taste began to change at the turn of the 20th century and wicker furniture fell out of fashion. In 1930, the company brought in designer Gilbert Rohde, a champion of the Art Deco style. Before departing in 1932 to lead the Michigan furniture maker Herman Miller, Rohde created well-received sleek, bentwood chairs for Heywood-Wakefield and gave its colonial pieces a touch of Art Deco flair.
Committed to the new style, Heywood-Wakefield commissioned work from an assortment of like-minded designers, including Alfons Bach, W. Joseph Carr, Leo Jiranek and Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, a Russian nobleman who had made his name in Europe creating elegant automotive body designs.
In 1936, the company introduced its “Streamline Modern” group of furnishings, presenting a look that would define the company’s wares for another 30 years. The buoyantly bright, blond wood — maple initially, later birch — came in finishes such as amber “wheat” and pink-tinted “champagne.” The forms of the pieces, at once light and substantial, with softly contoured edges and little adornment beyond artful drawer pulls and knobs, were featured in lines with names such as “Sculptura,” “Crescendo” and “Coronet.” It was forward-looking, optimistic and built to last — a draw for middle-class buyers in the Baby Boom years.
By the 1960s, Heywood-Wakefield began to be seen as “your parents’ furniture.” The last of the Modern line came out in 1966; the company went bankrupt in 1981. The truly sturdy pieces have weathered the intervening years well, having found a new audience for their blithe and happy sophistication.
Find a collection of vintage Heywood-Wakefield desks, chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Finn Juhl for Baker Furniture Teak and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of FourBy Finn Juhl, Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous set of four mid-century Danish Modern dining chairs By Finn Juhl for Baker Furniture India, 1950s Sculpted teak frames, with caned seats and backs. Measures: 2...Category
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane, Teak
- Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Solid Oak Dining Chairs, Set of FourBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in South Bend, INA nice set of four Mid-Century Modern dining chairs By Dunbar Furniture USA, 1970s Solid oak frames, with upholstered seats and backs. Two chairs with high end blue leather ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Upholstery, Oak
- Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass Origami Chair, 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA rare Mid-Century Modern molded fiberglass "origami" chair By Paul McCobb for St. John Seating Corporation USA, 1950s Measures: 21" W x 22.5" D x 32.5" H. Seat height 18". ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern Maple Wishbone Dining Table, RefinishedBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in South Bend, INA gorgeous and very versatile Mid-Century Modern solid maple "wishbone" drop-leaf extension dining table By Heywood Wakefield USA, 1950s Measures: 94.63" W x 40" D x 29" H. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass Origami Chair on Spider Base, 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Mid-Century Modern molded fiberglass "origami" chair on rare spider base By Paul McCobb for St. John Seating Corporation. USA, 1950s. Measures: 21"W x 22"D x 32"H...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern High Back Dining Chairs, Set of SixBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern dining chairs By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1960s Sculpted solid walnut frames, with upholstered seats and backs. Measures: Side ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Heywood WakefieldBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Freehold, NJThis set of 4 Mid-Century Modern dining chairs by Heywood Wakefield features hardwood construction, original champagne finish, unique bentwood backs, vin...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch
- Set of Four Art Deco Chairs Gilbert Rohde Heywood WakefieldBy Heywood-Wakefield Co., Gilbert RohdeLocated in Atlanta, GAA set of four chairs designed in 1930s by Gilbert Rohde for Heywood Wakefield Gardener MA. Mahogany construction with arched back support. Cream color naugahyde upholstery with decor...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Heywood Wakefield Mid Century Tuxedo Dining Chairs, Set of 6By Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Countryside, ILHeywood Wakefield mid century tuxedo dining chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 19 wide x 21 deep x 31.75 high, with a seat height of 18 inches...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Side ChairBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Freehold, NJThis mid century modern side chair by Heywood Wakefield features hardwood construction, original champagne finish, vintage upholstery and tall tapered legs. Please check out our oth...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch, Maple
- Set of 6 Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Dining Room Chairs. Circa 1960sBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in Miami, FLSet of 6 Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Dining Chairs. Circa 1950s Five side chairs and one captain chair. Good solid condition with age appropriate wear. The upholstery is a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Set of Four Swedish Mid-Century Modern Teak Dining ChairsLocated in Atlanta, GASet of four newly restored teak dining chairs from Sweden, c. 1960. Upholstered in blue ribbed fabric and ready for immediate delivery.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak